Not all area beaches are experiencing the reported nationwide lifeguard shortage.

After raising the starting wage and offering training at no cost to the applicants, Washington Park Beach in Michigan City became fully staffed with lifeguards, last month.

Effective this year, the Michigan City Fire Department took responsibility of overseeing the Washington Park lifeguard seasonal employment in an effort to make it one of the safest public beaches on Lake Michigan.

Firefighters have been training with the lifeguards, ever since, which proved beneficial with multiple water rescues made over the July 4th holiday.