Prince William County Lifeguards Set the Golden Standard

Being a lifeguard is a serious and vital job for our aquatics operations, particularly during the busy summer months. For Prince William County lifeguards, that means meeting the standards of the world’s largest international aquatic safety and risk management firm – Ellis & Associates (E&A). Throughout the year, our lifeguard teams receive multiple unannounced audits by E&A to ensure the highest safety standards are being met. During these audits lifeguards are observed on stand and participate in simulated emergency drills. During the most recent audit our hardworking lifeguards and aquatics team exceeded these standards and one lifeguard who stood out above the rest, James Cyr, was honored with the prestigious “Golden Guard” award by E&A.

This coveted achievement is reserved for those lifeguards observed performing their typical job duties, during unannounced safety audits, while exhibiting behaviors that surpass the expectations of all safety standards in areas such as swimmer surveillance, professionalism and vigilance. This elite status is achieved by only 1% of all lifeguards evaluated at E&A client facilities as part of their Comprehensive Aquatic Risk Management Program.

“We are very proud of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (DPRT) team on receiving an overall score of ‘EXCEEDS’, said Jamie Orrison, CPRP, recreation enterprise manager for DPRT. “This score does not come easily. We’re proud of the hours of training that our teams participate in each month to ensure our teams are prepared to act, and very thankful for our lifeguards, instructors and aquatic supervisors for all the hard work they put in to ensure that DPRT is excelling in aquatic safety. We also congratulate James Cyr of Waterworks Waterpark on being honored with a Golden Guard award.”

E&A’s “Golden Guard” awards are presented to lifeguards based on their individual performance during unannounced safety audits that include video of individual lifeguards while on duty. Additionally, individual and team basic life support and skills are evaluated along with their response to simulated emergencies.
 
“We are proud to recognize lifeguards who are clearly the best of the best,” said Richard A. Carroll, E&A Senior Vice President and COO. “This lifeguard is a role model for lifeguards everywhere; their performance underscores the fact that guests at this facility are afforded the highest degree of swimmer protection.”

All E&A client facilities represent the finest and safest aquatic facilities in the world. As such, it is of particular note when E&A facilities and their staff perform so well that a Golden Guard award is presented.
 
Cyr, a first-year lifeguard was happily surprised to be honored with the award and when asked what he loves most about being a lifeguard, he replied “his team.”
 
Learn more about Prince William County’s aquatic facilities here.

About Ellis & Associates:
Founded in 1983, Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) is an international aquatic safety and risk management consulting firm dedicated to the prevention and elimination of drowning. E&A provides lifeguard instructor training, aquatic risk management services, accident investigation, litigation support, emergency care training, Learn-to-Swim and continuing education programs for all types of aquatic facilities around the world. Learn more here.