Mission
The Mission of the International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance (ILCIRA) is to empower emergency responders in the aquatics community with the tools and support needed to effectively manage and recover from critical incidents.
ILCIRA envisions a world where aquatics management teams, lifeguards, and allied support staff are fully equipped with comprehensive education, training, and consultation services, enabling them to resiliently navigate and manage the aftermath of critical incidents.
Values
Compassion
We embrace compassion as an action, rather than an emotion. Our interventions are focused on alleviating the troubles of our peers after a Critical Incident.
Empathy
People who are affected by Critical Incidents are at the heart of everything we do as an organization. We walk with them on their journey of healing after a Critical Incident.
Diversity & Inclusion
We believe we all share in the responsibility to create a positive culture and to safeguard equity, inclusion, dignity, and respect for all. Each member of the ILCIRA community should be a role model for others.
Trust
Building and maintaining trust is essential to strong relationships, effective collaboration, and the overall success of the organization. Foundational to our Mission is that Lifeguards, Aquatic Management Teams and Allied Aquatic Professionals can trust us to help them heal after a Critical Incident.
Hope
We offer hope of a better quality of life for all Lifeguards, Aquatic Management Teams, and Allied Aquatic Professionals affected by critical incidents.
Continuous Improvement
We believe a steady stream of improvements, properly executed, will have transformational results. This will lead to improved outcomes for those we serve.
Phased Approach
The International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance will help to educate and support aquatics organizations within our service area, in implementing Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programs. Our inter-agency Aquatic Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT) will consist of trained Lifeguard Peer Support Volunteers (LPSVs) throughout the industry. This will be an industry-leading “first of its kind” program that helps to bring CISM best practices to the aquatic first responder and allied aquatic professional community.
Critical Incident Stress Management Services will be provided by an Aquatic Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT). Support will be provided by Lifeguard Peer Support Volunteers (LPSVs) and when appropriate referals to Mental Health Providers (MHPs) will be made. Our Aquatic Critical Incident Stress Management Team follows standards of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).
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Phase 1
Industry Introduction to Critical Incident Stress Management continuum of care:
We will be spending the majority of 2026 convening an Industry Critical Incident Stress Working Group and working with that group to help educate stakeholders and the industry. We will work with this team to refine launch plans.
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Phase 2
Aquatic Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT) pilot program launches:
Our pilot program launched in May of 2025, providing Aquatic Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT) services within select New England states, as well as with select Ellis & Associates and StarGuard Elite facilities in the United States.
This pilot program is being conducted in coordination and as apart of a research study with the Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research at Kennesaw State University.
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Phase 3
AqCIRT Development:
Based on the results of our pilot program, we will assess how best to gradually roll out more widespread support for aquatics management teams in 2027, across the United States. This will be a multi-year process. We will work with industry leaders and stakeholders to refine plans on how to best serve organizations that choose to join our AqCIRT program.
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Phase 4 Extended Range Plans
Sharing What We Learn:
Using lessons learned from our launch within the USA and in other collaborating countries, we can offer to partner with other Lifesaving Associations, Lifesaving Federations and countries to help them create their own Aquatic Critical Incident Stress Management response teams. We can facilitate access to qualified instructors, best practices, governing policies & procedures and consulting support to best assist in deploying their own teams.
ILCIRA is collaborating with the International Life Saving Federation's Academy Program to develop a program for industry leaders on mitigating psychosocial risks inherent in lifesaving.
Internationally, ILCIRA recognizes that local laws, clinical practice guidelines and best practices may shape how crisis intervention & peer support teams are deployed.
