HCR 17: Recognize impact of lifeguard shortage; encourage lifeguarding
The resolution recognizes the impact of a lifeguard shortage in the state of Ohio and encourages individuals to consider a career as a lifeguard. Lifeguards are responsible for preventing and responding to emergencies and protecting countless individuals from death or serious injury. To become a lifeguard, an individual must undergo training on water and land rescue techniques and first aid. The shortage has resulted in closures of beaches, pools, and water parks, and reduced class offerings and safety training courses, including community swimming lessons and water safety and lifeguard recertification. Cities in Ohio have been increasing wages to attract individuals to fill open lifeguard positions, with lifeguards earning an average of $18 per hour, projected to increase 12% over the next five years. Numerous benefits are available to individuals who choose to seek a career as a lifeg…
| Jun. 18, 2025 | Introduced and Referred to Committee: Workforce and Higher Education |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
H. C. R. No. 17
2025-2026
Representatives McNally, Rogers
Cosponsors: Representatives Piccolantonio, Troy, White, E., Williams, Thomas, D., Brennan, Sims, Jarrells, Russo
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To recognize the impact of the lifeguard shortage in Ohio and encourage individuals to consider a career as a lifeguard.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE SENATE CONCURRING):
WHEREAS, Lifeguards working at beaches, swimming pools, and water parks are responsible for preventing and responding to emergencies and protecting countless individuals from death or serious injury; and
WHEREAS, To become a lifeguard, an individual must undergo training on water and land rescue techniques in a variety of environments and how to deliver first aid and critical care to injured individuals; and
WHEREAS, Closures of beaches, pools, and water parks and work restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented individuals from receiving the necessary training to become a lifeguard, resulting in a shortage of available lifeguards across the United States; and
WHEREAS, One-third of the 309,000 public pools in the United States are being forced to close or reduce their hours of operations due to a lack of available lifeguards to staff the pools; and
WHEREAS, The shortage of lifeguards at public pools has resulted in reduced class offerings and safety training courses, including community swimming lessons and water safety and lifeguard recertification; and
WHEREAS, Many cities are unable to hire enough staff to provide lifeguards for municipal beaches, leaving swimmers and other beach-goers without access to trained staff in the event of an emergency; and
WHEREAS, Cities in Ohio have been increasing the wages paid to attract individuals to fill open lifeguard positions, allowing a lifeguard in Ohio to earn an average wage of $18 per hour, which is projected to increase 12% over the next five years; and
WHEREAS, Numerous other benefits are available to individuals who choose to seek a career as a lifeguard, including paid training, retention bonuses, and flexible scheduling; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, recognize the impact of the lifeguard shortage in Ohio and encourage individuals to consider a career as a lifeguard; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the Governor of Ohio and the news media of Ohio.