Lifeguarding in OC: $200,000 (Newport Beach, Brea, Fortuna: appointed, attorney, layoffs)

[Hwy phantom]

Originally Posted by Everest209

I don't get it, I don't think you guys understand these aren't lifeguards that would be at your local city pool.

These guys are dealing with numerous different obstacles like drownings or other medical emergencies. Not to mention all the while trying to stay focused around numerous so cal women . I don't know about 200k, but they are definitely worth more than 35. And come on, I'd much rather have a 20 year lifeguard in the water trying to save me than a 2 year lifeguard.

Forget the pay already! It's the PENSIONS....PENSIONS...PENSIONS...
six figures for 25 years = 2.5 million dollars = winning the lotto...do you get it yet!

[Everest209]

Originally Posted by Hwy phantom

Forget the pay already! It's the PENSIONS....PENSIONS...PENSIONS...
six figures for 25 years = 2.5 million dollars = winning the lotto...do you get it yet!

The post I responded too was in reaction to the 35k a year with a 5 year max, that's crazy. Also, saying that there is a ceiling to experience is crazy.

The pensions are nuts, the government just can't keep up, that I agree with.

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by Phil306

Maybe, possibly, perhaps, but I don't know. You see, these guys lead pretty stressful lives, just like police officers and firefighters. MOST police officers and firefighters live an average of about 4-6 yrs after retirement, then die; due to alot of factors. Mostly the stress of the job. Throw in poor diet, lack of physical fitness, et al.

I'd like a study done on lifeguards, to see what their average life expectancy is after 50. Then, you can really crunch the numbers. Whay you have outlined is in a perfect world and everyone knows, this world aint perfect.

Lifeguards aren't exactly dodging bullets every day. It's a totally different job, and totally different lifestyle.

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by Phil306

Can you imagine, for one moment, what it would be like, to be a lifeguard, trying to rescue a child drowning and losing the child in your arms? What sort of emotional damage does that lifeguard suffer? Harbor for the rest of their lives? How much are they eaten up inside? Torn apart? How much does that lessen their life span?

First, I worked for the LA County Coroner's office, and then I worked as a hospice counsellor, primarily for younger people and families due to my age. I can imagine it quite well, and often do - sometimes when I'm asleep, and I can't get away from it, sometimes when I'm walking down the street and see a child who looks a lot like one that I had to pull out of a car crash, in front of their family. I have thought quite a bit about how for some families, I was a lot like an angel of death; they'd never seen me before, I took their child or parent or spouse or friend away, and they never saw me again. It's not a pleasant burden to carry with you.

My dad was in Iraq for a year and a half and now has PTSD, has been through multiple surgeries, and has seen a hell of a lot worse than a lifeguard at Laguna Beach. Due to his injuries, his rank (E6), and his bronze star, he gets a retirement package that's pretty generous by Army standards: around $2800 per month, for 32 years of dignified service.

If we were going off of trauma, there are thousands and thousands of men and women all over the US who deserve a maximum 90% of their comparatively very-meager wage. But none of this is a meritocracy, of course. I support our men and women in uniform, and though I have a pretty fenced opinion of the police based on experiences I've had with baseless aggression from the LAPD and CHP (though I worked with them previously), I have absolute respect for everything they've done.

Civil servants who are making a base pay so high should be able to put some of that away for retirement, just like the rest of us folks - most of whom get paid much less- do. Maybe we could take some of their pay and move it towards teachers?

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

You've been in Texas too long. That post went plumb ovuh yo haid.

Guess I gotta read the second half next time.....

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by Phil306

Maybe, possibly, perhaps, but I don't know. You see, these guys lead pretty stressful lives, just like police officers and firefighters. MOST police officers and firefighters live an average of about 4-6 yrs after retirement, then die; due to alot of factors. Mostly the stress of the job. Throw in poor diet, lack of physical fitness, et al.

I'd like a study done on lifeguards, to see what their average life expectancy is after 50. Then, you can really crunch the numbers. Whay you have outlined is in a perfect world and everyone knows, this world aint perfect.

You have data for this? Maybe if they retire at 75

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

Maybe we could take some of their pay and move it towards teachers?

I'll bet you'll find the teachers in Newport Beach are paid pretty well and also have decent pension benefits. It's a wealthy area and they're willing to pay top dollar for their public servants. I don't see a problem with that.

[Capt. Dan]

They are overpaid. UNTIL THEY SAVE YOUR CHILDS LIFE!

[jwess222]

Even if there are thousands of applicants qualified (I assume you mean nation wide and not locally), they still go through competitive physical trials and only choose the top candidates. Those top paying positions have gone through series of physical testing and training, progressed through the necessary lower positions (which takes years), and shown they are capable of performing their job in outstanding fashion. So if out of thousands of people in the beginning (of course the beginning positions begin at $18 to $24 hourly and are usually only seasonal) you dwindle it down considerably by the time you reach the top and choose the best qualified for the position.

[Hwy phantom]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I'll bet there aren't.

In this economy? PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE.......


"More than 1,000 applicants had stood in line -- many of them camping out overnight -- to apply for 35 firefighter jobs that offer $46,000 a year, plus benefits. The city started taking applications from those who qualified at 8 a.m."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_163472.html

"In total we had almost approximately 3,000 that applied," said Tacoma Fire Lt. Bruce Boyer."

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/1...&if_height=255