SD County commemorates Drowning Prevention Month


Attendees at the commemoration of Drowning Prevention Month.

May 19, at Adams County Park Pool Adrienne Cisneros-Selekman, Community Liaison for 5th District Supervisor Jim Desmond, read a Board of Supervisors proclamation commending the Prevent Drowning Foundation Of San Diego “for its outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the health and safety of county residents.” The proclamation declared May 19 “Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego Day.”

Various dignitaries attended, including Darcy LaHaye, staff recreation supervisor, Dept. of Parks & Recreation; Belinda Slattebo and her staff, Chief, Departmental Operations, Office of Equitable Communities, HHSA; Nicole McNeil, president, Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego and her staff. Also attending was VC Fire Chief Joe Napier, with several first responders, and “Otter the Mascot.”

In 2010 the Board adopted Live Well San Diego. The County acts as partner and backbone organization to the Live Well San Diego vision for a healthy, safe, and thriving San Diego region. The County and partners help organizations and individuals make connections and leverage partnerships to increase their impact in our communities.

Cisneros-Selekman declared: “We are all excited to be here today to proclaim the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego as a Live Well San Diego partner and we thank you for all the amazing work you have done so far and will do in the future.”

She continued, “Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego believes that drowning is preventable, and its mission is to engage the community in water safety programs and initiatives that provide access to the life-saving skill of swimming.”

She thanked Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego, the County of San Diego, and First 5 San Diego “for spearheading the ‘Wear your Life Jacket to Workday’ and offering water safety resources such as SD Swim Safer.”   

May is Drowning Prevention Month in San Diego. The board has approved $250,000 to expand the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego’s swim lesson and water safety grant program. They have also provided funding through First 5 San Diego to expand the reach of education and outreach around drowning prevention methods.

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