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WHEREAS, public pools in the City of Pittsburgh are a place designated for relaxation, community building, and access to exercise and athletic development; and,
WHEREAS, lifeguards are tasked with teaching individuals how to swim, and most importantly, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for the community to enjoy; and,
WHEREAS, the City pools were the only public pools that stayed open until Labor Day, making the last couple weeks of the season especially busy; and,
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting labor shortage made this summer especially difficult to find and hire lifeguards; and,
WHEREAS, lifeguards that were hired this year had to go above and beyond what is normally expected of their duties;and,
WHEREAS, lifeguards often had to take on many responsibilities such as childcare and public safety; and,
WHEREAS, in times of emergency, lifeguards must overcome distraction and remain calm, organized, and focused on keeping the public safe; and,
WHEREAS, on July 28th, 2021, a shooting at the Highland Park Pool showcased the immense courage of CitiParks lifeguards and employees; and,
WHEREAS, employees at the Highland Park Pool, many of them teenagers, acted quickly to ensure safety from danger by sheltering patrons in locker rooms; and,
WHEREAS, the lifeguards at Sue Murray and Highland Park Pools deserve special recognition for their dedication to ensuring the safety of the public all season long; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the vigilance and bravery of all city-employed lifeguards and CitiParks employees; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commits to supporting all employees of the Department of Parks and Recreation in continuing to ensure safe spaces for the City’s youth, and commends them for their ongoing service to the City of Pittsburgh.