REMARKS
Proposed junior lifeguard corps program
0:11:42
·
102 sec
Council Member Krishnan introduces the second point of his five-point plan: creating a junior lifeguard corps program. This initiative aims to address the lifeguard shortage and provide opportunities for students.
- A pre-considered bill sponsored by the council member would require Parks and the Department of Education to launch a junior lifeguard corps
- The program would allow students to satisfy physical education requirements while working towards a rewarding career
- It aims to create a pipeline of future lifeguards by training youth in schools
- The council member highlights the success of similar programs, such as the Rising Tides graduation ceremony for students trained in water safety
- The initiative is presented as a crucial step in addressing the lifeguard crisis and creating a sustainable solution
Shekar Krishnan
0:11:42
Next, the Department of Education should create a junior lifeguard core.
0:11:47
The lifeguard shortage doesn't just put families at risk of drowning when they cool off in public waters.
0:11:53
It also forces closures further depriving New Yorkers of access.
0:11:57
A pre considered bill I've sponsored, which we're examining today, will require parks and the Department of Education to determine how best to launch a junior lifeguard core.
0:12:08
Using students, school pools, and city or nonprofit staff to provide training to city students who will be able to satisfy physical education requirements, work towards rewarding career, and spend their summers saving lives.
0:12:23
The fact of the matter is our youth want the lifeguard.
0:12:29
They want to learn how to swim.
0:12:30
They want a summer job.
0:12:33
And if we're going to address the lifeguard crisis, a meaningful way to do so is to create a pipeline from children in school that can be trained, that can learn not only how to swim, but how to lifeguard, and become our future lifeguards.
0:12:49
I have seen this in action recently when I was at Rising tides graduation ceremony for Nitra students who are learning and trained now in water safety.
0:12:58
That is our future.
0:13:00
And if we are going to address this crisis in a meaningful way, then we've got to work with the organizations on the ground that are doing this work every day, that are teaching our children how to swim, and create a pipeline of lifeguard, lifeguards, and talent to be able to address this crisis.
0:13:21
They are our future lifeguards.
0:13:23
They are our future.
