CITY OF SALEM ANNOUNCES LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM

CITY OF SALEM ANNOUNCES LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM

News Release from City of Salem
Posted on FlashAlert: August 29th, 2017 9:00 AM

Downloadable file: Life Jacket Station

SALEM -- The City of Salem announces a Life Jacket Loaner Program to promote water safety on the Willamette River. The United States Coast Guard reports that many victims of drowning accidents were not wearing life jackets. According to the North American Safe Boating Council "life jacket wear is the simplest strategy to stay safe while enjoying your favorite recreational water activity."

The City of Salem Life Jacket Loaner Station is intended to provide access to life jackets for visitors to use while on the Willamette River. The program provides life jackets in various sizes along with instructions on proper sizing.

Fire Chief Niblock noted that "residents who wish to support the Life Jacket Loaner Program may do so by making a monetary donation." Monetary donations will be accepted at Salem Fire Station #1, located at 370 Trade Street SE, between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Monetary donations will be applied towards the purchase of additional life jackets. Each donation is considered a charitable contribution and will be confirmed by providing the donor with a receipt. The City is not accepting donations of used life jackets.

A temporary station has been placed in Wallace Marine Park near the public swimming area. The City's Public Works Department with assistance from the Oregon Department of Corrections will be installing two permanent Life Jacket Loaner Stations in the next month. One located in the swimming area of Wallace Marine Park and the other located near the boat launch in Wallace Marine Park.

Additional information regarding life jacket safety can be found here:

* http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/
* https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/boating
* http://www.boatus.org/life-jackets/

Contact Info:
Carl DeCarlo, Deputy Chief
City of Salem -- Fire Department
503-588-6245| CDeCarlo@cityofsalem.net