FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 51 will co-host a water safety event Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Joe Pool Lake.
The activities will highlight safety areas to include a sinking boat exercise which demonstrates how to safely enter and exit boats, a life jacket toss that reinforces the Reach, Throw – Don’t Go concept and the Cool Hand Luke exercise that shows the effects of hypothermia on muscles. Coast Guard Auxiliary members will conduct courtesy marine safety examinations at the Jet Ski Boat Ramp.
“Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer where we see increased activity at our lakes. When engaging in water recreation before, during and after the Labor Day holiday safety should always be a priority, said Fort Worth District Commander, Col. Charles Klinge.
There have experienced 22 fatalities within this year, which is two less than the entire 2013 season.
About 65 percent of these fatalities involved swimming, wading, or falling into the water from land and about 30 percent involved boating.
“While one fatality is one too many, we want to increase our initiatives and efforts to lessen those incidents by at least 50 percent. Through our work with community partners and the general public, we can all play a key role in promoting safe water and boating practices,” added Klinge.
Interested media should be at the Lynn Creek Park day-use area, 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052 at 11 a.m., Aug. 23 for interview opportunities with natural resource specialists, district leadership and to capture b-roll at the lake.
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About the Fort Worth District: The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1950. The District is responsible for water resources development in two-thirds of Texas, and design and construction at military installations in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico. Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and SWF Face book at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Worth-District-US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers/188083711219308