Jack Wagner: Save lives, not funds

May 15th, 2008, posted by RobHop

Saying saving lives is more important than saving money, state Auditor General Jack Wagner on Wednesday urged the state to reverse its January decision to remove lifeguards from all but one of its 37 state parks with lake beaches.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which eliminated lifeguards in 22 state parks from 1999 to 2007, announced it would remove them at 15 more parks this summer, including Beltzville in Carbon County and Tuscarora in Schuylkill County.

The additional cuts would save $800,000, Conservation and Natural Resources said.

Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie, which has strong currents, would be the only one to keep lifeguards.

‘‘As the state’s fiscal watchdog, I commend DCNR officials for trying to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively,’‘ Wagner said. ‘‘However, in this case, I am certain that the saving of one life outweighs the potential $800,000 in annual savings that DCNR has cited to justify its actions.’‘
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Study to determine actuarially if this would save lives?

On May 15th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Has there been any attempt to estimate the chance this measure will result in additional fatalities?

There are unlimited areas

On May 15th, 2008 Anonymous said:

There are unlimited areas where a small cut in spending could result in a savings of $800,000, but the idea to cut a position who’s only job is to save a life. I’m not sure I understand at all the reasoning here. Except for the fact that a life guard position comes across as a summer job for some good looking blonde. I would suggest DCNR take a close look at what they are eliminating. Why not red lights…the result would be the same.