TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Amid growing safety concerns at aquatic facilities, New Taipei's Sports Department (新北市體育局), the municipal agency overseeing recreational facilities in Taiwan's most populous city, responded to city council inquiries about lifeguard staffing issues affecting the city's 65 public and private swimming pools on Wednesday (June 4). Department officials attempted to allay council members' fears by confirming that certification credentials are prominently displayed at all swimming facilities and that the department implements yearly verification processes to ensure all lifeguard qualifications remain current and valid.
During the council session, Samantha Tai (戴湘儀), a representative from the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, directed sharp criticism toward a 2019 policy change by the Sports Administration (體育署), Taiwan's national sports governing body. The controversial decision transferred lifeguard certification management to the administration's independent control, which Tai claimed has resulted in a marked decline in certified personnel. The councilor identified inadequate compensation and overwhelming job responsibilities as primary factors driving the staffing crisis, noting that lifeguards shoulder diverse duties ranging from critical water rescues to facility maintenance while facing potential legal liability for any incidents that occur during their shifts.
In response to these concerns, Sports Department Director Hung Yu-ling (洪玉玲) emphasized that lifeguards should concentrate exclusively on their core safety responsibilities rather than being assigned additional tasks, with teaching duties permitted only for those holding appropriate instructional qualifications. Hung also highlighted technological solutions being implemented to address safety challenges, revealing that the department now requires all district sports center swimming facilities to install advanced automated drowning detection systems that use artificial intelligence to identify potential water emergencies.
The council meeting also addressed youth sports development when KMT Councilor Chen Wei-chieh (陳偉杰) pushed for the creation of a baseball program at Shimen Experimental Junior High School (石門實中), a move intended to strengthen the popular sport's presence in Taiwan's North Coast region. Director Hung revealed a new baseball development initiative that would provide financial support ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$30,000 (approximately US$668 to US$1,002) to help establish new school clubs, with assurances that additional funding for tournament participation would become available after teams accumulate competitive experience. ◼