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LFD’s Vested for Life program offers free life jackets
By DAN EAKIN, Staff Writer
Lillie Gonzalez and Nicholas Rice were both born June 12.
She was born June 12, 1915.
Her great-grandson, Nicholas, was born June 12, 2003.
Several family and friends were on hand.
Nicholas got a surprise present from the Lewisville Fire Department. It was a life jacket.
Actually, all of the other kids at his party got one, too.
Capt. Mark McNeal, of the Lewisville Fire Department, led a crew of firefighters-paramedics to Lewisville Lake Saturday to give a free life jacket to any swimmer or boater who wanted one.
Two large trucks from the Lewisville Fire Department went to several locations at Lake Park, offering the life jackets.
McNeal said the life jackets are given away each year as a part of the fire department’s “Vested for Life” program.
About 100 life jackets, including those for both children and adults, were available free in an effort to help keep swimming and boating safe on Lewisville Lake.
“Several people have drowned in recent years at Lewisville Lake,” McNeal said. “We want to do everything we can to help prevent drownings.”
“Some people think wearing a life jacket isn’t cool,” he added. “But drowning isn’t cool either.”
Last year, five people drowned in Lewisville Lake during the month of July, including four over the July Fourth Weekend.
The drowning victims included:
Natalie Escabor, of Carrollton, who drowned July 4 near Little Elm Park;
Eugenio Reyes, 25, of Dallas, who drowned July 5 near Copperas Branch Park in Highland Village;
Ismael Rangel, 31, of Houston, and Saul Rangel, 17, of Lewisville, who drowned July 6 near Lake Park in Lewisville; and
Steven Michael Remick, 39, of Dallas, who drowned July 27 near Westlake Park at Lake Dallas.
Division Chief Steve Carter, of the Lewisville Fire Department, said, “The July Fourth weekend is a time to have fun and enjoy. But it is also very important that everyone stays safe.”
He recommended that all swimmers wear life jackets in the lake and that small children should be watched very carefully.
“Also, everyone in a boat should be wearing a life jacket,” he said. Even people who can swim well should wear life jackets because an unexpected collision or other unexpected activity could cause someone to be knocked unconscious into the water.
“During each year, the Lewisville Fire Department receives many calls for assistance concerning boating and swimming emergencies,” Carter continued.”Many of these emergencies could have been prevented by following some very simple suggestions. In an effort to help you enjoy a safer summer, the Lewisville Fire Department through donations from local businesses, bring you our Vested for Life Program.
During regular visits, members of the Lewisville Fire Department’s Dive Rescue Team provide free life vests to those children and others swimming or boating at Lake Lewisville who do not have adequate safety gear.
“This will ensure that those enjoying our lake have a safe and fun summer,” Carter said. “This local program has been operating for the past eight years.”
Also, law enforcement officers will be in full force on the highways this weekend, watching for speeders, intoxicated drivers and unsafe driving.
Lewisville Police Chief Russ Kerbow reminded, “The shooting fireworks are not legal within city limits, except at organized fireworks events. Every year, across the nation, fireworks cause injuries and start grass fires or structure fires. Anyone caught using fireworks illegally within the city limits could be subject to a heavy fine.”
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