The Open Water Lifeguard Agency National Awards Program recognizes agencies who exceed in training, safety standards, community leadership, and corroboration with other multi-disciplinary agencies to promote education, beach and open water safety, and the USLA.

To be considered for recognition:

• Chapters/agencies must be USLA Certified as Basic or Advance.
• Chapters/agencies can apply for only one award category per year.
• Chapters/agencies must submit annual statistics as outlined by the USLA National Statistics Coordinator by the deadline.
• Chapters/agencies must be in good standing and not be in conflict of the USLA Bylaws or Polices and Procedures.

Chapters/agencies will have the responsibility to initiate the application process and submit the appropriate paperwork to the Heroic Acts- Recognition, Awards, and Presentations Committee at heroicacts@usla.org. Click HERE to download the application.

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National Award for Readiness & Incident Response

An agency has presented evidence that demonstrates its ability in providing high levels of lifeguard readiness and preparedness, and/or has presented an example of a high level of readiness and preparedness during a response to a major incident, mutual aid call, or mass casualty that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

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National Award for Commitment & Dedication to Public Safety & Education

An agency has presented evidence that demonstrates a measurable accomplishment in providing commitment and dedication to public safety and education through a variety of ways that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

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National Award for Training & Development

An agency has presented evidence that demonstrates professional growth and information sharing by providing high levels of lifeguard training and staff development that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

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National Award for Drowning Prevention Achievement

An agency has presented evidence of measurable statistical records including documentation of relative categories and conditions demonstrating a remarkable achievement in drowning prevention that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

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National Award for Open Water Safety Achievement

An agency has presented evidence of measurable statistical records including documentation of relative categories and conditions demonstrating a remarkable achievement in open-water safety that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

 

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National Award for Professional Achievement

An agency has presented evidence demonstrating a variety of achievements which
may include advancing its image, equipment, certifications, relations, standards, regulations or other related area that enhances the lifesaving profession and brings great credit to the agency and to the profession.

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Joe Pecoraro National Award for Distinguished Safety Service

An agency has presented evidence demonstrating that it has accumulated three or more of the six nationally recognized awards in a variety of achievements that brings great credit to the agency and to the profession. This is the USLA’s second highest achievement award.

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USLA Chief Bob Burnside Award for Excellence in Lifesaving

An agency has presented evidence demonstrating that it has accumulated all six of the nationally recognized awards in a variety of remarkable achievements that brings extraordinary credit to the agency and to the profession. This is the USLA’s highest and most prestigious achievement award.

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