IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. CON. RES. 27
Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders
and emergency response providers.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL10, 2025
Mr. S
MITHof New Jersey (for himself, Mr. VANDREW, and Mr. SUOZZI) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards
as first responders and emergency response providers.
Whereas open water lifeguards perform an essential function
of protecting countless lives from death or serious injury;
Whereas these lifeguards do so at great risk to their own
lives;
Whereas, in 2021, two lifeguards in the State of New Jersey
lost their lives while performing their duty;
Whereas many open water lifeguards are cross-trained in
emergency medical response, marine fire safety, law en-
forcement, and water rescue craft operations;
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•HCON 27 IH
Whereas lifeguards respond and attend to victims, treat vic-
tims, assist victims, and transport victims, the 4 defined
duties of a emergency response employee;
Whereas lifeguards not only protect life, but also property,
evidence, and the environment, the 4 tenets which define
a first responder;
Whereas United States law already recognizes open water
lifeguards as first responders or emergency response pro-
viders;
Whereas many other countries recognize lifeguards as emer-
gency responders, and grant them access to the programs
to which first responders are entitled; and
Whereas, during the COVID–19 emergency, open water life-
guards ought to have been considered ‘‘essential workers’’
and given priority access to vaccinations: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1
concurring), That Congress reaffirms that open water life-2
guards qualify as first responders and emergency response 3
providers, and recognizes the essential, lifesaving work 4
performed by these brave individuals. 5
Æ
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