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NEWS RELEASE: ARIZONA WATER SAFETY ADVOCATES TO BE HONORED AT ANNUAL DROWNING PREVENTION COALITION EVENT

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CONTACT:
Lori Schmidt, DPCA Media Coordinator
Mobile 480-272-1710
Email: lschmidt@scottsdaleaz.gov

Melissa Sutton, DPCA President
Mobile 480-570-9830
Email: melissasutton@preventdrownings.org



ARIZONA WATER SAFETY ADVOCATES TO BE HONORED AT ANNUAL DROWNING PREVENTION COALITION EVENT

This August, the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona will host the annual awards breakfast, recognizing those who make a difference in drowning prevention.  This special event is scheduled from 7-9 am, Aug. 23, at the historic A.E. England Building at Civic Space Park in downtown.
Valley partners, such as event co-sponsor SRP, will be in attendance. Many valley business leaders, municipalities, first responders, hospitals and families whom have suffered a fatal or non-fatal drowning are expected to be in attendance.  

This year’s nominees are:
Advocacy Award:
·         Juana Hernandez (Salt River Project) & Tiffaney Isaacson (Phoenix Children’s Hospital): Lifejacket study
·         Lori Schmidt (Scottsdale Fire), Linda Kirby (Retired – Phoenix Fire) & Kim Hodges (National Injury Prevention Council): Pool & Spa Safety Check Program
·         Kim Lipsky & Louis Juers (AZState Parks Family Campout Program): Adding water safety & CPR education
·         Juana Hernandez (Salt River Project): Verano Sano, Project S.A.F.E., SafeKids Maricopa & SRP Water Safety Events
·         Kathy Till (La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries): Continued personal support for DPCA through La-Z-Boy
·         Mary Giordano (Glendale/Peoria YMCA Volunteer): 20-25 volunteer hours per week for water safety projects
Media Award:
·         Diana Bowman & Bob Bowman: ASU's Water Safety Campaign Video
·         KVOA News 4Tucson: Continued and consistent coverage of drowning prevention & water safety
Corporate Award:
·         MCSO LakePatrol: Lake data collection observation opportunities
·         IPSSA Region 8: Life jackets, Water Walk bag distribution, Pool & Spa Safety Checklist participation
·         AZ State Parks: Adding water safety & CPR education to their Family Campout program
·         Peoria & Surprise Aqua Tots Swim Schools: "Swim With Your Clothes on Week" and "Lunch & a Lesson" programs
·         Life Saver Pool Fence: Save A Life program & pool fence donation
·         CPR 2 U: Bringing free CPR training to the Tucson area
·         Valley of theSun YMCA's: Press Conference, Free Swim Week, & Swim Scholarships
·         SRP: SafetyConnect website and programs (Verano Sano, Project S.A.F.E, etc.)
Linda S. Kirby Award:
·         Lori Schmidt (Scottsdale Fire)
·         Tracy Koslowski (Drexel Heights Fire District)
·         Stacy Beadle (Formerly City of Peoria)

“Our state-wide colleagues look forward to the annual awards each year.  It allows us to highlight the collaborative efforts between the DPCA and our critical partners,” says Melissa Sutton, DPCA President. 

Sutton believes that without the efforts made by so many, drowning rates would be as high -- if not higher -- than they were when the DPCA became an organization in 1989. 

“We not only get to honor the work done by those outstanding friends in water safety, but the event also allows us to let our community know the impact those efforts have made,” she says. “It is really quite significant and we could not do it without these strategic partners and friends.” 

To RSVP for the awards breakfast event, contact Sutton at melisssutton@preventdrownings.org.

#         #         #
The Drowning Prevention Coalition, a community based organization comprised of parents, health and safety professionals and business leaders, exists to provide a forum to prevent drowning and near drowning through the promotion of education, legislative action and enhanced product safety.  Check out our website at www.preventdrownings.org for more information.

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