In 1979, Janet Fash began her career as a New York City lifeguard amid the city’s recovery from the 1975 fiscal crisis, a period marked by organizational challenges within the lifeguard system. Assigned immediately to Rockaway Beach in Queens—New York’s sole open-ocean lifeguarding post—she bypassed the required 16-week training and swim test due to city dysfunction, a decision reflective of the era’s chaotic management.

Ms. Fash’s memoir, co-written with journalist Clio Chang, chronicles her four decades in a role that evolved alongside the city’s shifting social landscape. She became the first woman to serve as lifeguard chief in the city, navigating a male-dominated workforce and a turbulent workplace culture. Early lifeguards, she recounts, maintained a reputation for heavy drinking and rowdy behavior, with newcomers subjected to hazing rituals ranging from being painted and tossed into the ocean to other pranks. Substance use, including cocaine, was not uncommon even during shifts.

Rockaway Beach, with its seven miles of shoreline and strong rip currents, presented constant rescue challenges. On busy summer days, crowded with inexperienced swimmers from across the city, the lifeguarding team often conducted numerous rescues. The work extended beyond aquatic safety: during the 1980s’ surge in crime, Ms. Fash and her colleagues frequently acted as first responders to victims of shootings and stabbings, providing emergency aid until paramedics arrived.

The memoir also details internal conflicts, particularly surrounding Peter Stein, who held dual roles as the city’s lifeguard coordinator and union president representing lifeguard supervisors. Ms. Fash portrays Mr. Stein as wielding significant control over assignments and disciplinary actions, likening his management style to a political boss who favored loyalty over reform. In the wake of a drowning incident in 1985 during a short-staffed shift, Ms. Fash mounted a campaign challenging Stein’s leadership and the system’s shortcomings.

An investigation led by the public advocate’s office in 1994 substantiated concerns about inadequate training and supervision, linking these factors to multiple drownings. The report also criticized the inherent conflict of interest in Stein’s dual roles. The Parks Department, overseeing Stein, subsequently compelled him to relinquish one of his positions; he chose to remain union president. Ms. Fash contends that meaningful changes did not follow, though Stein, who retired in 2025, disputed her claims.

Throughout her career, Ms. Fash witnessed the persistent risks lifeguards faced, including fatalities related to both natural hazards and organizational failings. Her narrative captures the complex nature of lifeguarding—a job blending routine vigilance with life-saving urgency—and acknowledges the psychological toll on those who often confronted trauma without formal support.

Despite these challenges, “Lifeguard: A Love Story” highlights the enduring appeal of the beach as a communal space, where individuals from diverse backgrounds find respite and connection. Ms. Fash, now retired, splits her time between Rockaway and Rincón, Puerto Rico, continuing her connection to the ocean. While no longer on duty, she reflects that her instinct to safeguard others persists, underscoring a lifelong commitment to the water and those who enjoy it.