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 intra-agency Aquatics Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT) will consist of certified 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). Interventions will be provided by Lifeguard Peer Support Volunteers (LPSVs) and when appropriate, Mental Health Providers (MHPs) following the protocols 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 2025 convening a 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: May of 2025, providing Aquatic Critical Incident Response Team (AqCIRT) services within select New England states in the United States. We will be running a concurrent pilot program in Canada, within the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. We are still working on finalizing an implementation timeline in Canada.
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Phase 3
AqCIRT launch: Based on the results of our pilot programs, we plan to gradually roll out more widespread support for aquatics management teams in 2026, across the United States and Canada, as resources allow.
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Phase 4
Using lessons learned from our launch within the USA and Canada, we will 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 will facilitate access to qualified instructors, best practices, governing policies & procedures and consulting support to best assist in deploying their own teams.
