Open water lifeguards.
Fiscal committee
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders in California. It acknowledges their vital role in emergency response, public safety, and drowning prevention, highlighting their diverse duties beyond traditional aquatic rescue, including responding to land-based emergencies. The resolution urges California public agencies to formally recognize lifeguards as first responders in their training, planning, and mutual-aid agreements, drawing a parallel to a similar recognition in Hawaii.
Key provisions
- Formally recognizes open water lifeguards (ocean, lake, and nonsworn personnel) as first responders.
- Urges California public agencies to include lifeguards in their training frameworks.
- Instructs agencies to incorporate lifeguards into emergency planning documents.
- Recommends that agencies recognize lifeguards in mutual-aid agreements.
- Acknowledges lifeguards' responsibilities extend beyond aquatic rescue to include land-based emergencies.
- References the United States Lifesaving Association and California Surf Lifesaving Association statistics regarding rescues and preventative actions.
- Draws a comparison to Hawaii’s recognition of open water lifeguards as first responders.
- Memorializes the sacrifice of Ben Carlson, a Newport Beach ocean lifeguard.
Who is affected
- California public agencies (cities, counties, fire departments, harbor districts, park districts, Department of Parks and Recreation)
Bill text
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Sponsors
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3 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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