Free Water Safety Symposium offered
The community is invited to attend the first Water Safety Symposium on Fort Myers Beach next month.
The Water Safety Symposium will begin with an 8 a.m. registration Thursday, Oct. 25, at Fort Myers Beach Community Swimming Pool, 2600 Oak Street, followed by the symposium at 9 a.m.
Fort Myers Beach Chamber President Jacki Liszak said the event will kick off with a simulated drowning, complete with EMS and Fire Rescue coming to the scene.
“It’s really going to be a good thing for folks to see,” she said, adding that some people may not know what an actual drowning looks like.
After the simulated drowning, the event will move into the Bay Oaks Recreation Center where attendees will learn about different aspects of water safety and drowning. There will be such people represented as insurance companies talking about risk and liability; fire department talking about safety; the Galisano Children’s Hospital sharing information about drowning and the Health Department talking about what a healthy pool is and how to keep it safe.
“It should finish with lunch at noon,” Liszak said.
The Water Safety Symposium, which is free, will provide both breakfast and lunch to attendees.
She said they are encouraging everyone, from individuals who own a pool, to realtors selling homes around the water, health professionals, hotel and marina managers, service clubs and power squadrons, to attend the event.
Those interested in attending are asked to register online at www.fortmyersbeach.org, under events and Water Safety Symposium.
“It’s going to be amazing with the mock rescue and everything. You shouldn’t miss it,” Liszak said.
She said they are hoping the symposium will become an annual event.
Golisano’s Children’s Hospital, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Town of Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Beach Fire Department and Lee Health partnered to host the event.
“We want to make sure we make it relevant. If we can stop one child drowning from happening it would be worth all the effort. It’s an effort to educate,” Liszak said.