PORT ANGELES — The Starfish Aquatics Institute has awarded William Shore Memorial Pool a Four Star Award following a risk management audit in 2015.
Christi Wojnowski, aquatics manager, accepted the award on behalf of the pool at 225 E. Fifth St. in Port Angeles, which is operated by the William Shore Memorial Pool District.
Certification agency
“Very few aquatic facilities qualify to receive this honor,” said Leslie Donavan, president of the national training and certification agency based in Savannah, Ga.
“It represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training and exceptional performance by the lifeguard staff on duty at the time.”
William Shore is the only aquatics facility in Washington that received the Four Star Award.
Reviewers from the national group visit aquatic facilities and evaluate interaction among lifeguards, patrons and supervisors.
The reviewers watch how often the lifeguards scan the water, determine the strategies the lifeguards use to remain vigilant and evaluate the size and features of the zones the lifeguards are assigned.
Reviewers then conduct rescue scenarios to assess the facility’s emergency action plan and the competence of the staff.
The review wraps up with an assessment of the risk management practices, and policies and procedures in place at the aquatic facility — and the equipment and management staff to back them up.
“The SAI audit is not scheduled but done unannounced so the staff and lifeguards do not know they are being evaluated,” Wojnowski said.
For more information, phone Executive Director Steve Burke at 360-460-3526 or email sburke@williamshorepool.org.
