California formally recognized open-water lifeguards as first responders on Monday, Aug. 24. The nonbinding resolution caps a summer in which San Diego lifeguards performed nearly 5,500 water rescues.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 192 passed the State Assembly on Aug. 19 and was chaptered by the Secretary of State five days later, according to the CalMatters Digital Democracy bill tracker. California joins New Jersey and Hawaii as the only states granting the classification.
The resolution does not change lifeguards' pay, benefits or working conditions, Times of San Diego reported. But advocates say it lays groundwork for future legislation.
"Nobody thinks of lifeguards as critical public safety infrastructure until you're the one that's not breathing out the back of six-foot waves and can't get back to shore," said Drasko Bogdanovic, executive director of the nonprofit Lifeguard Project and a veteran San Diego lifeguard who began his career at 16 protecting North County beaches.
San Diego's lifeguards operate under the Fire-Rescue Department but lack the same legal classification as firefighters, according to Councilmember Raul Campillo. The resolution passed without opposition.
A record-pace rescue season
San Diego lifeguards logged approximately 5,480 rescues between June 1 and late August, according to Candace Hadley, public information officer with San Diego Fire-Rescue. That nearly equals the 7,000 to 8,000 rescues lifeguards typically perform in a full year, Hadley told Fox 5 San Diego.
La Jolla beaches absorbed heavy demand over Fourth of July weekend, when 356,000 people visited the stretch between Bird Rock and Black's Beach. Lifeguards recorded 41 water rescues and 16 medical aids from July 3–5, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Lt. John Maher, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Local officials weigh in
Council President Joe LaCava, who represents District 1 including La Jolla, declined to comment on SCR 192, citing ongoing negotiations with employee organizations. Six other council members expressed support, according to Times of San Diego. Mayor Todd Gloria has not taken a position, a city spokesperson said.
Bogdanovic described the resolution as a starting point that levels the playing field so advocates can push for binding changes to pay and benefits.
At the federal level, Rep. Mike Levin, whose district borders San Diego County, said he is working with congressional colleagues on related legislation. Rep. Juan Vargas expressed support for House Resolution 1188, which would federally recognize open-water lifeguards. Neither measure has advanced beyond introduction.
No binding state legislation with a bill number or hearing date has been announced.
