American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps
IndustryLifeguarding
Founded1914

The American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps, also known as the Life-Saving Service of the American Red Cross, is a lifeguard body of the American Red Cross that began in 1914 as a response to the growing number of drowning deaths in the United States.[1]

History

Recognizing an epidemic of water-related death, in 1912 Wilbert Longfellow presented a plan to the American Red Cross for improved water safety. The Red Cross adopted the nation-wide plan in January 1914, and established the Red Cross Life Saving Corps. The corps is the forerunner of the present-day Red Cross water safety program. Longfellow organized the lifesaving program.[1]

The Jacksonville Beach volunteer corps is the last of its kind in the country.[2] The American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps Station is listed in the National Register of Historic Places Program.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Wilbert E. Longfellow:Water Safety Crusader". American Red Cross. Archived from the original on May 14, 2006. Retrieved April 19, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Jacksonville Beach lifeguards still proudly serving after 102 years". firstcoastmagazine.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  3. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Program". nps.gov.
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