| 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 agree to work for DCR during the upcoming summer an opportunity to become certified as a lifeguard 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 DCR can assign you to the in-person sessions. You must complete the online portion of the training within two weeks of DCR sending you the registration link. If you do not complete the online content within two weeks, you will not be placed in a DCR-sponsored training course.
- 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.
Region Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Recertification, Waterfront Skills, and WSI 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. This course is typically scheduled in May and June.
Some YMCA Lifeguarding courses may include waterfront certification. If your YMCA Lifeguarding course contains Waterfront Skills, this should be noted on your certification. If your certification does not indicate Waterfront Skills, you will need to complete a Waterfront Skills course in order to work at a beach.
To be eligible for an American Red Cross recertification course, your certification must be current. If your certification has expired by 31 days or more you must take a full course to become certified.
Persons interested in teaching swimming lessons must be certified as American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.
DCR will be sponsoring a limited number of lifeguarding, lifeguard recertification and instructor courses in the West Region. To register, see instruction below.
West Region CPR/AED Classes
Massachusetts state lawrequires lifeguards employed by the state or its municipalities to update their CPR certification annually. If your CPR certification was issued before September 8, 2025, you will need to attend a CPR, Basic Life Support / CPR for the Professional Rescuer Recertification course.
DCR will be sponsoring a limited number of CPR for the Professional Rescuer Recertification courses in the West Region. To register, see instruction below.
How to Register for a DCR-Sponsored Course
If you agree to work for DCR this upcoming summer and would like to register for one of the DCR-sponsored Lifeguarding, CPR or Instructor courses, please contact our DCR-West team at dcr.pwswest@mass.gov.
Most DCR-sponsored courses run January – April. Class sizes are limited, and registration is first-come, first-served. Don’t wait until the last few classes to get certified – there may be no spaces left. Once classes are full or if you cannot attend all class sessions, your only option for certification qualify you for a position with DCR is to then find a course on your own (and at your own expense).
If you have any questions or would like to register for a class, please reach out to Vivian Wells, PWS West Region Manager at (857) 287-1611.