RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR ESSENTIAL ROLE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards across Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their critical role in emergency response, public safety, and community wellbeing. The bill highlights that these lifeguards are often among the first to arrive at emergency scenes, perform life-saving medical interventions, and operate in hazardous ocean and shoreline environments similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not change laws or grant new legal rights directly, it urges state and county agencies to ensure lifeguards receive the same resources, training support, and professional respect as other first responders. The measure applies to all open water lifeguards in the state, including those designated as ocean safety or water safety officers in different counties.