br​It is hot outside, and for many people living in towns and cities across America, that means it is time to hit the pool. But many public pools are shuttered due to a lifeguard shortage in many parts of the country. We find out more about this unexpected impact of the coronavirus pandemic from Jodi Jay, the division manager for the city of Austin parks and recreation aquatics division. We also take to the streets in Philadelphia, where almost a third of all public pools are shut to find out how this shortage is impacting communities there.brbrbrSCRIPT SCRIPT SCRIPT brbrbrTHE WEATHER IS HOT... AND THE POOL IS CALLING.. .BUT FOR SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE US... THERE IS NO RELIEF FROM THE HEAT... brbrSOT Devin Coleman brSo those public pools, I see a lot of them aren't open anymore.brUm and it's a shame.brbrIN PHILADELPHIA... MORE THAN A THIRD OF PUBLIC POOLS REMAIN CLOSED THIS SUMMER... LEAVING THE COMMUNITY HIGH AND DRY... brbrSOT Anastayia Shevchenko Clip 1 br There are a lot of Children in the community uh, that were already lacking parks and playgrounds for kids to go. 00:38 It would be fantastic for the children to have a place to go swim 00:42 brbutted tobrSOT BEVERLEY HALEY br It is taking away from the community 01:05 You know kids need somewhere to go. brbrTHE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM... A NATION-WIDE LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE brbrIN AUSTIN TEXAS... OVER ONE MILLION VISITORS VISIT THE 45 AQUATIC FACILITIES IN A TYPICAL YEAR... brbrSOT Jodi Jay Division Manager City of Austin Parks and Recreation br A way to escape the heat in Texas... It's very important its a place to make community 1:41brbrBUT WITH COVID ... A PERFECT STORM... A LOST YEAR OF CERTIFICATION EFFORTS AND DELAYED RECRUITMENT... LEAVING LIFEGUARD NUMBERS DWINDLING... brbrSOT Jodi Jaybr in 2019 we hired and trained 850 lifeguards 3:07 brbutted to br we started summer of 2021 under 200 lifeguards. 05:04 And currently we're approaching 400.brbrHALF THE LIFEGUARDS MEANS ONLY HALF OF AUSTIN'S POOLS ARE OPEN... AND ON A LIMITED SCHEDULE... brbrSOME CITIES ARE NOW DOUBLING DOWN TO RESCUE THE SUMMER SEASON... OFFERING INCREASED WAGES AND RETENTION BONUSES...brbrFOR RESIDENTS, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO BEATING THE HEAT...brbrSOT Anastayia Shevchenko just keep the pool's open.