Proclamation2021-1874

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,

Sponsored by Deborah L. Gross, Theresa Kail-Smith, Anthony Coghill, All Members.