New Jersey open water lifeguards now recognized as first responders
They’re the first ones there for any sort of beach emergency, and this week, the New Jersey Senate officially recognized open water lifeguards as first responders.
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Jersey Shore lifeguards do much more than just pull swimmers out of danger. They’re the first ones there for any sort of beach emergency, and this week, the New Jersey Senate officially recognized open water lifeguards as first responders.
“We’re very pleased to fina lly have the recognition we felt we deserve for so long. It gives us added protection. There’s coverage for PTSD experienced through the work environment, which is a big one,’ said Tony Hipsley, chief lifeguard at Spring Lake Beach.
“We have everything from crab bites to cut feet to surfing injuries and equipment injuries to water rescues part of the job,” said Michael Callahan, a former pool lifeguard who now focuses on ocean guarding at Spring Lake.
The guards bring a sense of safety and comfort for parents like Sophia Arnao.
“I always strategically try to go as close as possible to the lifeguards because I’m outnumbered,” said the mother of three from Burlington.
“I am so happy these lifeguards are now being recognized just as much as nurses and policemen and our firefighters,” said Jenna Kenney, of Pennsylvania.
Lifeguard Anna Martin is now in her second year of sitting high atop the Spring Lake stands but for her it was always about saving lives. Now, with this new designation it gives her and her family that little bit of an extra piece of mind.
“My mom is a nervous wreck about me coming to the beach and going out having so much responsibility so I think that having a lot more support behind you is great. Now you have the state behind you to help out as well,” said Martin.
This resolution recognizes the risks involved and pays tribute to the two guards lost in the line of duty during the summer of 2021, including Keith Pinto, who died from a lightning strike in South Seaside Park.
Hipsley says there’s still more work to do.
“We’re still pushing at the federal level for designation,” he said.
“You go home at the end of the day knowing that you helped someone out today,” said Martin.
This resolution will now officially classify around 3,000 open water lifeguards in New Jersey as first responders.
