On the wettest and/or hottest days, there’s no need to worry about whether the Franklin Pool will be open.
The pool is staffed by Manager Carmen Collins. and a crew of lifeguards and lifeguards/water safety instructors. They include lifeguards/instructors Christine Bjornstad, Gerrit Bjornstad, Kailee Larson, Kendal Rantanen and Olivia Schmidt; and lifeguards Kinsey Anderson, Brianna Berg, Ava Budish, Tiera Bugge, Ethan Eidelbes, Maren Espe, Molly Halsa, Fritz Koppenhaver, Alex Krein, Breanna Lee, Alanah Mack, Deyton Nyre, Richard Philipp, Lealand Vettleson and Ivy Wiggs.
They have a passion about the pool and making sure everyone is safe. Collins appreciates her staff every day and especially on International Lifeguard Appreciation Day (July 31). However, Collins seeks additional lifeguards, especially since some of them will be leaving the area to attend college.
Aquatic programming is provided as a service of Thief River Falls Community Education. At the Franklin Pool, American Red Cross swimming lessons are offered as well as fitness programming and recreational swimming. The pool is also available for private rental based on availability. During the hours of operation, lifeguard/water safety staff are on duty to provide supervision of all aquatic programs at the Franklin Pool.
Lifeguards are ready and qualified to monitor and assist swimmers and perform life-saving measures when necessary. These public safety professionals stay alert, vigilant and attentive so others can have fun in the water. The best way to show appreciation to a lifeguard is follow the facility rules, keep an eye on your children or weak swimmers, and willingly follow lifeguard instructions.
Lifeguards are certified first responders who are constantly training to maintain their rescue skills, provide facility safety, keep the pool water clean and properly sanitized, and keep a watchful eye on guests.
Safety is a lifeguard’s first priority. As first responders, professional lifeguards are trained and certified in CPR, oxygen administration, AED use and first aid. Their skills are tested both in the water and on land. They have a massive responsibility to keep patrons safe and respond in an emergency.
The Red Cross requires lifeguards to be at least 15 years old and pass course specific swimming requirements prior to starting training. Students must pass a pre-course swimming skills test prior to taking lifeguarding courses.This includes a 300-yard swim using front crawl or breaststroke, a 2-minute tread using legs only and the ability to retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from seven feet deep, surface and swim 20 yards with the weight, using legs only and exit the pool without using a ladder within 100 seconds.
The Red Cross lifeguard training and certification program is the first step to get hired as a certified Red Cross lifeguard. Training includes both testing of hands-on skills as well as a written test. Upon successful completion of the lifeguarding course, the lifeguard will receive a Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification, which is valid for two years and accepted nationwide.
Lifeguards may also be certified as swim instructors. In order to participate in Water Safety Instructor certification classes with the Red Cross, participants must be at least 16 years of age.
Instructors are trained in:
• Water safety at public pools, homes, natural bodies of water and more,
• Basic safety, survival and swimming skills to help children gain water competency.
• Helping people with disabilities and other health conditions enjoy the water safely
• Fundamental learn-to-swim courses including parent and child aquatics, preschool aquatics, Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6 and private swimming lessons
• Higher-level swim skills that help prepare people of all ages for any aquatic activity.
Besides open swimming and lap swimming, the pool offers Red Cross swim lessons ranging from Preschool to Level 6: Advanced as well as Caregiver/Child (formerly Infant/Toddler).
During the swimming lessons, the instructors are assisted by a lifeguard helper if a class has more than five students. The kids aren’t the only ones being tested during swimming lessons. “Some of the kids definitely test you,” said lifeguard/instructor Olivia Schmidt.
Rantanen agreed with her, noting that some kids, who aren’t good swimmers or don’t even know how to swim yet, make a beeline for the deep end of the pool. Others may not even want to put their faces in the water.
The kids also provide some humor. “They just say the funniest things, especially during Safety Day,” Rantanen said.
They may also talk their instructors’ ears off when given the choice. One of Schmidt’s students enjoys telling Schmidt about everything she did each day whenever there’s free time.