Agenda 05/28/2024 Item # 4B (Proclamation designating May 2024 as Drowning Prevention Month)05/28/2024
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Florida ranks first in the country in child drowning incidents, with enough children drowning each
year to fill three to four preschool classrooms, while in Collier County, drowning is the leading
external cause of death for children 1-4 years old; and
WHEREAS, NCH Safe & Healthy Children Coalition of Collier County, a group of over 70 local agencies
working to improve health outcomes and prevent childhood injury, is committed to reversing these
disturbing trends; and
WHEREAS, the NCH Safe & Healthy Children Coalition has implemented a comprehensive drowning
prevention program based on research by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance,
recognizing that multiple layers of protection including barriers, swim instruction, proper rescue
techniques, and CPR training are necessary; and
WHEREAS, as one aspect of the program, in March 2012 the Coalition began offering SWIM Central, a water
safety course, and now has taught over 90,463 lessons to nearly 11,712 children; and
WHEREAS, in February 2014, the Coalition launched the “Kids Don’t Float…Give Them Something That
Does” Life Jacket Loaner Program, with 15 loaner stations at lakes and beaches throughout the
county, each with 20 life jackets in a range of sizes; and
WHEREAS, Stewie the Duck, water safety mascot, joined the Coalition in 2016; and
WHEREAS, drowning prevention is the first step in developing a healthy relationship with the water, a
relationship that can combat physical inactivity and promote lifelong fitness;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that
May 2024 be designated as
DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 28TH Day of May 2024.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
_____________________
CHRIS HALL, CHAIRMAN
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05/28/2024
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 4.B
Doc ID: 28768
Item Summary: Proclamation designating May 2024 as Drowning Prevention Month in Collier County. To be
accepted by Coral Vargas, Coordinator, NCH Safe and Healthy Children's Coalition of Collier County and other
distinguished guests.
Meeting Date: 05/28/2024
Prepared by:
Title: Customer Service Specialist – County Manager's Office
Name: Aimee Trochessett
05/01/2024 3:39 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Management Analyst II – County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
05/01/2024 3:39 PM
Approved By:
Review:
County Manager's Office Geoffrey Willig Policy & Proclamation Review Completed 05/13/2024 2:27 PM
County Manager's Office Amy Patterson County Manager Review Completed 05/17/2024 12:58 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 05/28/2024 9:00 AM
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