Affirming the First Responder Status of Open Water Lifeguards

WHEREAS, every day AFT public employees make a difference in the lives of others through service to their communities; and

WHEREAS, the AFT fights for that better quality of life, and for the real solutions that get us there—at the bargaining table or ballot box, in our places of employment, and on our streets; and

WHEREAS, AFT members have long taken an active role in shaping their future—in their workplaces, their communities and the halls of power; and

WHEREAS, "Emergency Response Provider"; 6 U.S.C. 101(6) clearly states that emergency response providers include by example all federal, state, local government and non-government public fire, law enforcement, emergency response, EMS and hospital agencies and "related personnel agencies and authorities"; and

WHEREAS, "Emergency Response Employees"; 42 U.S.C. 30FF-133(a) states that emergency response employees are defined by their duties, which include responding and attending to a victim, treating a victim, assisting a victim and transporting a victim; and

WHEREAS, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 defines the term "first responders" as "individuals who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Current federal law, clearly without exception, allows for open water lifeguards to qualify as first responders/emergency response providers; and

WHEREAS, the AFT counts among its many public employee members open water lifeguards acting as first responders/emergency response providers without the designation:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will affirm that open water lifeguards qualify as first responders and emergency response providers, and recognizes the essential, lifesaving work performed by these brave individuals; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support House Concurrent Resolution 41 being offered in the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.