Evanston is now the only agency in Illinois whose guarded Lake Michigan beaches hold national open-water safety certification from the United States Lifesaving Association.

The city announced the distinction on Sunday, June 15, covering all five of its guarded beaches. City fire and parks officials said the certification reflects the lifeguard program's training standards and coordinated emergency planning ahead of the summer swim season.

What the certification means

USLA certification is an accreditation of the agency's lifeguard training program, not a credential for individual guards. To earn it, the city had to demonstrate that its seasonal lifeguards meet specific standards: a minimum age of 16, the ability to swim 500 meters in 10 minutes or less, at least 40 hours of open-water lifesaving training, medical-aid certification (minimum 21 hours), and CPR certification.

Certified agencies must also ensure that lifeguards assigned to water surveillance are dedicated solely to public safety and are not pulled away for other duties, according to USLA guidelines.

The certification is valid for three years.

What it means for beachgoers

The USLA accreditation tells residents that Evanston's lifeguard staffing, training hours, and emergency protocols meet a national benchmark. No other Illinois agency currently holds the designation, according to the city's announcement.

The city must submit annual lifesaving statistics to USLA by March 1 each year to maintain its certified status.