Stream San Diego News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC 7. It would recognize open water lifeguards as first responders. Despite those lifesaving efforts, and the fact that in the city of San Diego, lifeguards are part of the fire department — operating as first responders — they're still not designated as first responders. "There is rarely a drowning, a fatal drowning at guarded beaches in San Diego,” said Brewster. In addition to the California state resolution, there's a push for a congressional resolution to recognize them as first responders, as well.