The problem of a shortage of lifeguards in the Paphos district remains acute, with eight of the 33 lifeguard towers remaining closed due to insufficient staffing. Of the 104 approved lifeguard positions, 82 people have been hired to date, with Paphos Deputy District Governor Froso Georgiou calling for greater interest, especially from young people, in order to strengthen the workforce and enable more lifeguard towers to operate on the beaches.
Speaking to CNA, Ms. Georgiou stated that interest in submitting applications has not been as expected, noting that “we can’t find people” to staff the lifeguard towers.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
As she explained, there are a total of 33 lifeguard towers in the Paphos district, of which 25 are staffed and operational, while eight remain closed. The staffing of the towers is based on specific criteria and takes into account, among other factors, visitor numbers and beach traffic.
Read more: Ministry of the Interior: Attributes the “problematic” lifeguard certification system to interpersonal disputes
According to the Deputy District Administrator of Paphos, it is the lack of staff that is causing the problem and preventing all the lifeguard towers in the district from opening.
Meanwhile, the approved lifeguard positions in the Paphos district total 104; but to date, only 82 people have been hired, a fact that highlights the existing shortage and the limited interest in staffing the service.
Of the 82 positions that have been filled, he continued, eight are for permanent staff, 53 are for eight-month contracts, 19 for six-month contracts, one for a four-month contract, and one for a three-month contract.
Ms. Georgiou noted that the issue of recruiting lifeguards cannot be addressed solely by the Ministry or the District Administration. As she said, greater mobilization is needed from clubs and private organizations, as well as better information for young people about the opportunities offered by this profession.
The Deputy District Governor noted that greater efforts must be made to raise awareness, so that more young people are aware that lifeguarding is a profession that can be pursued on either a full-time or seasonal basis.
At the same time, there are training opportunities and courses available for those interested in obtaining the necessary qualifications and applying for a position.
She noted that she has already contacted various groups to announce that applications are now open and to encourage more interested individuals to participate in the process.
“I’m making informal outreach efforts to attract as many people as possible,” Ms. Georgiou noted, emphasizing the need to increase the number of applications so that there is a larger pool of candidates for evaluation and selection.
Regarding the lifeguard selection process, Ms. Georgiou noted that it is now much more organized and rigorous than in the past.
The process follows the “Salamis” Plan and includes a series of evaluations. First, candidates undergo a physical test at sea to assess their abilities and their capacity to cope with the specific conditions of the marine environment.
At the same time, their knowledge and skills in first aid are assessed, followed by an interview.
The final selection is made based on the criteria set forth in the “Salamis” Plan, with the aim of selecting individuals who possess the required qualifications and are deemed suitable to staff the lifeguard towers.
As Ms. Georgiou noted, in addition to physical abilities and first-aid knowledge, the candidates’ judgment and personality are also evaluated. These are particularly important qualities, as lifeguards are called upon to make split-second decisions and manage difficult and potentially dangerous situations on the beaches.
“We have capable people; the problem is that we don’t have enough of them.”
The Deputy District Governor expressed her satisfaction with the caliber of the lifeguards currently serving in the Paphos district, noting that there have already been incidents in which lifeguards managed to save lives.
These successful rescues, she said, confirm that the process of selecting and evaluating candidates has reached a “very, very high level.”
“We have reached a very high level, and we are very proud,” he said, emphasizing that the problem does not concern the quality of the lifeguards selected, but rather the number of people available.
“We have capable people; the problem is that we don’t have enough of them,” he noted.
Regarding the funding of the lifeguard service, Ms. Georgiou explained that the state covers 50% of the cost through a grant, while local authorities are required to cover the remaining 50%.
Local authorities, therefore, have their own financial stake in the operation of lifeguard services on their beaches, a fact that is also linked to the ability to staff and operate the lifeguard towers.
The Deputy District Governor of Paphos reiterated that the primary goal is to increase the number of interested parties, receive more applications, and evaluate more candidates.
In this way, as she noted, it will be possible to staff as many as possible of the eight lifeguard towers that currently remain closed and to further enhance the safety and protection of beachgoers on the beaches of the Paphos District.
The call, therefore, is directed primarily at young people to learn about the profession, participate in training programs, and submit an application, as meeting staffing needs is now the key factor in ensuring the full operation of the district’s lifeguard network.
