| Pools | Designated Swimming Areas |
|---|---|
| Gerald J. Mason Memorial Swimming Pool (Agawam) | Chicopee Memorial State Park (Chicopee) |
| Sarah S. Sherman Memorial Swimming Pool (Chicopee) | Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest (Goshen) |
| John H. Thomas Memorial Swimming Pool (Springfield) | Hampton Ponds State Park (Westfield) |
For Additional Information
For further information on working in the West Region or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please contact:
Vivian Wells | (857)287-1611 | dcr.pwswest@mass.gov
To Apply
To apply for a position, please visit Pool and Waterfront Safety Application
DCR-Sponsored Lifeguard Certification Courses
DCR offers qualified lifeguard candidates that end up working for DCR over the upcoming summer an opportunity to become certified at no cost. Persons who participate in a DCR training program and then who do not to work for DCR over the course of the upcoming summer will be expected to pay for the certification course themselves. This cost can be upwards of $400.
Most DCR lifeguarding courses use a Blended Format. These classes have an online component that must be completed before the in-person pool sessions.
- The online component takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Please plan accordingly and distribute this learning over a period of days.
- Do not wait until the last minute to do the online training. Any issues with the technology or accessing the Red Cross training site must be resolved in time to allow completion of the online content before the in-person session. We recommend completing the online training at least one week prior to the in-person sessions.
- Candidates must print and bring proof of completion of the online content to the in-person session.
- Candidates who do not bring proof of completion to the in-person sessions will not be able to attend the in-person sessions and will not be eligible for certification. This is a Red Cross policy.
Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Recertification, and Waterfront Skills Courses
Successful completion of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Recertification course will provide candidates with certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Certification is valid for two years. Individuals looking to work at a DCR waterfront will also need to complete the Red Cross Waterfront Skills Module separate from the Red Cross Lifeguarding course. This six-hour course is typically scheduled in May and June. To be eligible for an American Red Cross Recertification course, your certification must be current (there is a 30-day grace period for enrollment into a recertification course.) If your certification has expired by 31 days or more you must take a full course to become certified.
To register for any of these courses, please contact Vivian Wells via phone at (857) 287-1611 or via email dcr.pwswest@mass.gov
| Course Name | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeguarding Pre-course Assessment | Tuesday 2/4 or Thursday 2/6 | 6:15p - 8p | Greenfield |
| ARC Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills | Monday 2/17, Tuesday 2/18, Wednesday 2/19, Thursday 2/20 | 12p - 8:30p | Greenfield |
| ARC Lifeguarding Recertification with Waterfront Skills | Monday 2/24, Tuesday 2/25, Wednesday 2/26 | 5p - 9p | Greenfield |
| ARC Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills | Tuesdays: 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1 Thursdays: 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 | 5p - 9p | Greenfield |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course Assessment | Thursday 4/3 or 4/10 Tuesday 4/8 | 6:15p - 8p | Greenfield |
| ARC Lifeguarding Recertification with Waterfront Skills | Tuesday 4/15, Wednesday 4/16, Thursday 4/17 | 5p - 9p | Greenfield |
| ARC Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills | Monday 4/21, Tuesday 4/22, Wednesday 4/23, Thursday 4/24 | 12p - 8:30p | Greenfield |
| Waterfront Skills Course | Tuesday 6/10 | 10a - 4p | Chicopee SP |
West Region CPR/AED Classes
Massachusetts state law requires lifeguards employed by the state or its municipalities to update their CPR certification annually. If your CPR certification was issued before September 2, 2024, you will need to attend a CPR, Basic Life Support / CPR for the Professional Rescuer Recertification course.
To register for any of these courses, please contact Vivian Wells via phone at (857) 287-1611 or via email dcr.pwswest@mass.gov
| Course Name | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPR Pro Rescuer Recertification | Sunday, 12/15 | 11a - 2p | Holyoke |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Recertification | Sunday, 1/5 | 11a - 2p | Holyoke |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Recertification | Saturday, 2/15 | 10a – 2p | Greenfield |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Recertification | Sunday, 3/9 | 8 – 11a | Holyoke |
| CPR Pro Rescuer BL Certification | Sunday, 3/9 | 11:30a- 4:30p | Holyoke |
| CPR Pro Rescuer Recertification | Saturday, 4/12 | 11a - 2p | Amherst |