The San José del Cabo Fire Department is accepting applications for its sixth Aquatic Rescue Academy class, a six-month program that trains certified professional lifeguards for the Los Cabos coastline. Pre-registration closes June 19, 2025.
Applicants must pass a physical fitness admission test scheduled for June 27. Classes begin July 25 and run every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the duration of the program.
Who Can Apply
Candidates must be at least 17.5 years old, hold a secondary school diploma (secundaria), know how to swim, and be in excellent physical condition. The department is looking for trainees who can handle the demanding ocean conditions along the Los Cabos corridor, where strong currents and shore break are common hazards.
The San José del Cabo Fire Department, formally known as the H. Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios de San José del Cabo, staffs more than 80 active firefighters and paramedics. The department covers roughly 176.5 square kilometers (68 square miles) and a population estimated at around 136,000. It handles everything from wildland fires to vehicle accidents and thousands of medical emergencies each year.
How to Register
Interested applicants can pre-register by contacting the fire department via WhatsApp at (624) 264-6737 or by phone at (624) 690-3588. The office takes inquiries Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This is the sixth generation of the academy, meaning the department has been building its lifeguard corps for several years. Each graduating class adds trained rescuers to beaches in San José del Cabo and the surrounding Tourist Corridor, a 33-kilometer stretch of coastline between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas that draws millions of visitors annually.
Many beaches along this coast fly red or black flags during high-surf periods, and drowning incidents remain a recurring concern during peak tourist months. The academy aims to expand the pool of trained responders capable of performing ocean rescues in those conditions.
This story was first reported by the Los Cabos municipal government at loscabos.gob.mx.