New York state lifeguards call for first responder designation
JONES BEACH, N.Y. -- As the season soon wraps up for 1,100 New York state parks lifeguards, they're asking for more than just thanks for the lives they've saved; they want official designation as first responders.
As a Jones Beach lifeguard, Tyler Pawlowski's made more than 40 rescues in an unpredictable and often unforgiving environment.
"Especially the busy days where the rip currents are really sucking people out, most certainly people would die if we were not here doing our job every day," he said.
They brave deadly riptides and are the first line of defense for massive trauma and heat stroke, and yet, they are not classified as first responders like other heroes who rush into danger to save lives.
Leading rigorous lifeguard training is Eddie Costigan, who knows what the professional designation means; he's a retired New York City firefighter.
"Everything and anything that any other first responder does, we do. In addition to drowning victims, taking people out of the water that are unconscious and not breathing ... which has first responder written all over it," he said.
The New York State Lifeguard Corps is lobbying to add the recognition as first responders for the benefits and protections.
"If we're out there doing training and we get attacked by a shark, we don't have access to the same health care," New York Lifeguard Corps President Ryan Clark said.
The recognition would mean access to vaccines, improved health care and education discounts. It's up to state legislators and the governor, who two years ago added 911 operators.
"We do the same job. We are often there before them. We're calling the 911 operators to get more help, so how do we not qualify?" Clark said.
"I thought they would be already. OK? They do CPR, first aid, all this stuff, and they take a chance, so definitely," one beachgoer said.
"If somebody is drowning, you're not calling fire department, EMS, anything. These people, men and women, risk their lives to go out there to help people from shark attacks," another beachgoer said.
Amid a lifeguard shortage, it could also be a recruitment tool. Lifeguards say there is prestige associated with the designation, which they believe is long overdue.
The designation could bring additional costs to the state. We have reached out to the governor's office for comment.
The head of the New York State Lifeguard Corps is also seeking first responder status for all lifeguards nationwide.
