Backup Documents 05/28/2019 Item # 4B 4B
PROCLAMATION
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 browning
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 52,745 lessons
to nearly 6,176 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 2019 be designated as
DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH
IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 28TH bay of May 2019.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
�f �t COLLIER ,SUN , LO
VIIP11111
4017t,
WILLIAM L. MCDANIEL, JR., CHAIRMAN