Implications of Reduced Staffing in National Parks for Visitor Safety

Maryland's Assateague Island is a popular spot familiar to Zack Tyndall, a former firefighter paramedic who now serves as mayor of Berlin, Maryland. He recalls many rescues he participated in to save swimmers. However, with personnel reductions, he fears for the safety of visitors.

Spanning 37 miles, Assateague Island stretches across Maryland and Virginia and draws millions of visitors annually. Unfortunately, this summer has presented families with closed lifeguard stations and cautionary signs about the absence of lifeguards.

Efforts to reach the National Park Service on their staffing levels at Assateague have met with a general statement. They noted that the shortage of lifeguards is not isolated to public lands but is a nationwide issue. The availability of both protected and unprotected beaches remains unchanged even after hours. The public’s patience is appreciated as efforts continue to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

In February, the administration under President Trump initiated large-scale cuts, affecting 1,000 employees within the National Park Service due to a mandate for government-wide staff and budget reductions led by the Department of Government Efficiency. A hiring freeze impacted the permanent civilian workforce until mid-July.

Ed Stierli from the National Parks Conservation Association explained this hiring freeze resulted from a policy directive from the Trump administration, affecting all new appointments within the service. The related report indicates a 24% loss in the Park Service's permanent workforce since Trump assumed office. While 4,500 seasonal roles were filled, the target was 7,700, including positions for lifeguards.

Stierli attributes the absence of lifeguards at Assateague to ongoing disruptions and management issues faced by the Park Service under current administrative policies.

A representative from the Trump administration remarked that NPS prioritizes critical areas such as fire services, law enforcement, and public interaction roles.

Tyndall remains hopeful for a safe summer, despite the lack of lifeguards. He emphasized that daily, the absence of lifeguards places every swimmer and visitor in potential jeopardy on Assateague Island.

Looking ahead, the situation could potentially worsen with proposals for the upcoming budget, suggesting a drastic $1 billion funding reduction for the National Park Service, marking the largest cut in its history.