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SCR 56

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 7 co-sponsors

Open water lifeguards are formally recognized as first responders, acknowledging their critical role and urging enhanced training, resources, and interagency collaboration.

Resolution scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 04-16-26 9:00AM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
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Bill Summary · SCR 56

Summary: Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR 56 (2026) – Recognizing Open Water Lifeguards as First Responders

Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 56 formally recognizes open water lifeguards (including ocean safety officers and water safety officers) as first responders in Hawaii.
  • The resolution acknowledges their essential role in emergency response, public safety, and community wellbeing throughout the state.
  • It aims to promote appropriate rights, resources, training, and professional respect for open water lifeguards and encourages interagency collaboration to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Recognition: Declares that open water lifeguards are first responders due to their specialized training, risk exposure, and rapid response duties in emergencies on beaches, shorelines, and adjacent areas.
  • Scope of Roles: Highlights that lifeguards’ duties extend beyond ocean rescues to emergencies on land (e.g., cardiac arrest, traumatic injuries, motor vehicle collisions near beaches/parks/public roadways) and that many are cross-trained in emergency medical response, marine fire safety, law enforcement support, and water rescue craft operations.
  • Training and Readiness: Emphasizes rigorous ongoing training in high-performance CPR, AED use, advanced rescue techniques, and emergency scene management.
  • Protective and Resource Considerations: Urges state and county agencies to ensure lifeguards have access to resources, training support, and the professional recognition afforded to first responders.
  • Interagency Collaboration: Encourages continued collaboration among public safety agencies to strengthen statewide emergency response capabilities and safety for ocean, shoreline, and public environments.
  • Formal Transmission: Requires that certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the mayors of each county.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Open water lifeguards across Hawaii (ocean safety officers in Kauai and Maui; water safety officers in Honolulu and Hawaii counties) and the agencies that employ or oversee them.
  • State and county public safety agencies, departments, and governing bodies responsible for emergency response, beach and shoreline safety, and related services.
  • Law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and other first responders who coordinate with lifeguards during emergencies.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: A Senate Concurrent Resolution that, if adopted, formally recognizes lifeguards as first responders.
  • Current Stage: As of the provided action history, the measure has been reported out of committees (EIG/PSM) with recommendations for adoption and moved through readings and referrals, with public hearing scheduling noted in the record.
  • Next Steps: If adopted by both Senate and House, the resolution would be transmitted to the Governor for presentation. Resolutions are non-binding but carry symbolic and policy signaling weight, encouraging agencies to implement recognition through training, resources, and operations.

Potential Impact

  • Symbolic and practical impact: Elevates the status of open water lifeguards within Hawaii’s public safety framework and may influence policy decisions related to funding, training programs, and cross-agency coordination.
  • Training and resources: Could prompt increased access to first-responder resources, interoperability training, and protective measures for lifeguards operating in hazardous environments.
  • Public perception: Raises awareness among residents and visitors about the critical and multifaceted role of lifeguards in both aquatic and nearby land-based emergencies.

Note: The bill is a resolution recognizing and urging actions; it does not itself mandate new laws or allocate funds but may prompt subsequent policy and resource discussions within state and local agencies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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