Building Stronger Aquatic Emergency Response: Lifeguard In-Service Training with First Responders

We all know lifeguard in-services are essential—but how often do we get to include the very people we call when emergencies escalate? Coordinating with your local fire department, police, search-and-rescue, and ambulance servicesthrough lifeguard in-service training with first responders can take your drills from good to exceptional, helping staff build confidence and communication skills for real-world scenarios. 

Here’s how to make it happen—and make it matter. 

Start with Realism 

The goal is to build muscle memory. To do that, your training should look and feel as real as possible: 

• Call 911 — Yes, actually call. Coordinate with dispatch ahead of time and let them know it's a drill. Ask if you can route through them for realism without tying up lines. 

• Open real gates and doors — Have staff practice unlocking and guiding responders through the actual routes they’ll take. Time how long it takes to get keys, unlock, and open. 

• Delay response times — Don’t let fire or EMS rush right in. Ask them to wait 5–10 minutes to simulate realistic arrival. Let staff manage the scene in that gap. 

• Keep radio traffic active — Practice calling in a Code Blue or emergency over the staff radios like you would in real life. 

• Use real equipment – Practice with the actual items your team will use and grab them from the real places, using replicas for AEDs, bag value masks (BVMs), and crash bags that are identical to the real ones. 

Involve the Whole Team 

Lifeguard in-service training with first responders works best when everyone onsite is involved. Emergencies aren’t limited to the pool deck. Bring in the rest of your team for a full-facility response: 

• Managers: Practice leading the scene, interacting with parents, or calling for backup support. 

• Concessions staff: Assign them as bystanders, family members, or crowd control. 

• Front desk staff: Have them direct emergency vehicles through gates or to the incident site, and practice calling 911 or notifying key personnel. 

This builds team-wide coordination and reinforces that safety is everyone’s job. 

Scenario Ideas 

Scenario 1: Near Drowning with AED Use Victim found unconscious in the water. Lifeguards respond, extract, and begin CPR with AED. Concessions staff calls 911. Managers assist with crowd control. EMS responds after a 7-minute delay. 

Scenario 2: Spinal Injury During a Slide Exit Victim reports neck pain after a rough landing in the slide catch pool. Spinal protocol initiated. Police simulate crowd control, fire department helps with spinal board handoff, and EMS stabilizes victim. Involve front desk in getting accurate patron info. 

Discuss and Run A Q&A 

Wrap the in-service with a group discussion about the practice and process and a Q&A session with your first responders. Encourage your team to ask thoughtful questions like: 

• What’s the most helpful info we can give when you arrive? 

• What should we avoid doing before you get here? 

• How do we make hand-offs smoother? 

• Can we do anything to help you locate our facility faster? 

These moments are valuable for building relationships and improving real response outcomes. 

Final Tips 

• Plan these lifeguard in-service training with first responders events at least once or twice a season and in different locations if you run multiple facilities. 

• Invite your agency, city, or county risk manager, they love seeing proactive safety efforts. 

• Send a thank-you note or shoutout on social media to your responders afterward. 

Running in-services with your fire, police, and EMS teams takes a little more effort—but the result is a stronger, more prepared crew that knows exactly what to do when every second counts. 

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