WHAT: The Fresno City Fire Department staff will be stenciling warning signs on the canal abatements near schools, in an effort to raise water safety awareness. In the past eighteen months alone, the Fresno Fire Department has responded to 20 water related rescue calls. The Fresno Fire Department’s Urban Search And Rescue team (USAR) will be on hand to discuss the unique challenges canal rescues present.

Funding for the Canal Safety program is provided by: The Fresno Fire Department, Kings River Conservation District, Water Safety Council, Fresno Irrigation District, City’s Traffic and Engineering Department, and the EOC Fresno Safe and Proud Neighborhoods AmeriCorps Program.

WHEN: Saturday, June 17 10AM

TIME: 10AM – 11AM

WHERE: First and Shields Canal

SAFETY TIPS:

• Only swim in approved areas.
• Always supervise children near water at all times and make sure that children learn to swim.
• Check the depth of the water with a lifeguard before jumping in.
• Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD (personal floatation device) when boating, jet-skiing, tubing or water-skiing. Air-filled swimming aids, like water wings or inner tubes, are not substitutes for approved PFDs. An adult should always supervise children using these devices.
• Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat. In case of a spill, wipe up fuel immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odors. After fueling and before starting the boat's motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes

RANDY R. BRUEGMAN
FIRE CHIEF
621-4000

KEN SHOCKLEY
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
999-7227