Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue Seeks Ocean Lifeguards for 2026 Summer Season, Offering $18.23/Hour

Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue held annual tryouts for seasonal ocean lifeguards for the 2026 beach season. The department sought motivated personnel to staff the beaches, offering a starting pay of $18.23 per hour. No prior experience was required, as the Ocean Rescue Academy provided all necessary training.

Residents interested in becoming a lifeguard needed to complete an online Fernandina Beach Job Application and an Ocean Rescue Training Waiver. Applicants under 18 required a parent or guardian signature on the waiver. These documents were emailed to OR2@fbfl.org, with applicants also advising which tryout date they planned to attend.

Tryouts took place on Saturday, April 18, at 8:00 AM and Friday, April 24, at 5:00 PM. Both sessions were held at the Atlantic Recreation Center Pool, located at 2500 Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach. Candidates had to swim 500 meters in 10 minutes or less, tread water for 5 minutes, and swim 15 meters underwater to qualify.

The Ocean Rescue Training Academy, which provided comprehensive training, ran from May 4 to May 17. Training sessions occurred Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and full-day sessions on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Atlantic Recreation Center, at 2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Florida, hosted the academy. For questions, residents could call 904-780-4254 or email OR2@fbfl.org.