Company Description and History
In 1999, Aquatic Training Services was officially formed as a sole proprietorship of Renee Brandenburg-Huffer. The initial concept behind ATS was to provide Huffer an outlet to follow her passion for teaching lifeguard and aquatic safety skills. Huffer began this business endeavor as a supplement to her other aquatic jobs and has continued on a path that one day will allow her to indulge full-time in aquatic training.
Through the next few years, Huffer authored her own swimming pool operation manual and began offering one of the most complete and highly regarded certified pool operator courses in the Washington Metropolitan Area. In 2000, the Maryland State Health Department recognized Aquatic Training Services Certified Pool Operator Course as meeting the state regulations for teaching swimming pool operation. Following this approval, ATS was accepted by all county health departments in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia.
In 2004, Aquatic Training Services was recognized by the Frederick County Health Department as their pool operator course of choice. ATS was awarded the opportunity to proctor the County Health Department exam as part of their course offering. In addition, Huffer was contracted by many of the local swimming pool management companies as their American Red Cross Instructor Trainer for Lifeguarding Training and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
In 2006, an experienced swimming pool management professional and former executive of the largest swimming pool management company in the Washington Metropolitan area, Rob Fox joined forces with Huffer to expand ATS into Aquatic Training & Consulting Services, LLC. While the company continued to offer the traditional Red Cross aquatic courses, ATCS asserted a greater emphasis on making the Certified Pool Operator course a national recognized program. Fox has made ATSC’s goal to offer a National Swimming Pool Management Certificate that not only meets the needs of local lifeguards but also caters to the specific needs of the hotel, lodging and recreation industries.
ATCS strives to be the leader in swimming pool operation and professional lifeguard certifications. We offer classes and in-service training in swimming pool operation, lifeguard training, CPR, first aid, water safety instruction, and stroke development. In addition, our company is available to consult on the upkeep of existing facilities, the planning for future water features, and the emergency readiness of swimming pool staffs.
