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 enforcement, and water rescue craft operations;

Whereas lifeguards respond and attend to victims, treat victims, 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 many other countries recognize lifeguards as emergency responders, and grant them access to the programs to which first responders are entitled; and

Whereas during the COVID–19 emergency, open water lifeguards ought to have been considered essential workers and given priority access to vaccinations: Now, therefore, be it