Des Plaines Park District Receives Gold International Aquatic Safety Award for 2012

The Des Plaines Park District announced today that the 2012 Aquatic Staff has been awarded the prestigious Gold International Aquatic Safety Award by Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc., International Aquatic Safety and Risk Management Consultants. Earning this award demonstrates that the Park District lifeguards exceed industry standards in risk management and epitomize aquatic safety excellence. “While we are sure that the swimmers who frequent your aquatic facilities already recognize the professionalism exhibited by your lifeguard staff, it is important to inform them that only those scoring in the top 30% of the audit criteria received this award,” said Richard A. Carroll, Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc. Senior Vice President and COO. “Accordingly, the public is consistently afforded the highest degree of swimmer protection currently available for the aquatic industry,” he concluded.

International Aquatic Safety Awards are presented annually to participants in Ellis & Associates Comprehensive Risk Management Program. This is the program used to train all lifeguards working at the Des Plaines Park District pools. The award is based on results gathered over multiple random, unannounced safety audits throughout the season. Mystic Waters is audited three times per season, Chippewa and Iroquois, two to three times per season. The audits include undercover video surveillance of individual lifeguards while they protect their zone. They are evaluated for professional diligence, and their scanning habits, response time, rotation patterns, equipment readiness and maintenance, and professionalism. Additionally, individual and team life-support rescue skills are evaluated. Simulated emergency lifesaving drills are held to measure the effectiveness of established Emergency Action Plans. Vigilance Awareness Training drills are conducted to determine the lifeguards’ response to emergencies requiring rescue, oxygen support, and first aid. Each guard is scored: Exceeds Standards, Meets Standards, or Fails Standards. Any staff member receiving a failing mark is automatically relieved of his position. The audit concludes with administrative, supervisory, and facility evaluations, also scored on the same scale. Administrators and supervisors are audited for lifeguard interactions, maintaining licensing records and certifications, an Emergency Action Plan, the maintenance of proper safety and rescue equipment, and procedural paperwork. The pools are evaluated for the presence of and access to safety equipment, water clarity, glare issues, and signage. The cumulative score of all audits determines whether or not a facility receives an award. 

Ellis & Associates award winning facilities represent the finest and safest aquatic facilities in the world. “Our staff commits themselves to safety. They participate in vigorous training before and during each season. Their training begins with a weekend long certification program, followed by a weeklong orientation at the specific aquatics facilities. Once the summer season begins, the process continues with in-service training, drills, and audits,” said Desiree van Thorre, Aquatics and Youth Programs Supervisor. Each of the lifeguards and pool managers must accumulate a minimum of four hours of training each month. Most of the pool staff will return to their posts that they held last summer. “We are always pleased to see our veteran staff return from year to year. It helps us maintain consistency in all aspects of our operations,” said Jennifer Boys, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation. 

2025 Miner Street, opens on June 1 for pool pass holders. Preseason is June 1 to June 8, daily from noon to 7:00pm, weather permitting. All pools open for the regular season on June 8. Pool passes are available at pre-season rates beginning April 1 at the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street and Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker Street. For more information, call 847-391-5700 or visit www.DPParks.org.