National Water Safety Congress

2016 Award Recipients20th Annual International Boating & Water Safety Summit

Brian Westfall, President, Michael Fields, Executive Director

Saving Lives on the

Water Since 1951

Regional Award WINNERSDavid Payne & News 9 Weather Team

Oklahoma City

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersLife Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns Campaign

National

Burger King, MidAmerica Hotel Corp.Joel Neikirk, VP Operations

Wappapello, MO

Regional Award WINNER U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns Campaign

The Corps Foundation developed this new nationwide campaign through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Foundation administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign has produced a DVD that includes four television-quality video public service announcements (PSAs), three radio-quality audio PSAs and two posters.

The campaign also includes a free

mobile game app called “Lake

Guard”. The “Lake Guard” game is

now downloadable from the Google

Play and Apple app stores.

Campaign materials are available

at Pleasewearit.com and will be

promoted by the USCE to save lives

on our nation’s lakes and rivers.

 

Regional Award WINNERDavid Payne & News 9 Weather Team

Oklahoma City

April/May 2015 historical flooding occurred & Mr. Payne’s team provided 24-hour coverage on weather conditions,

flood warnings, road closures and what to do when encountering flood waters. Even after flooding was over, Mr. Payne and his team continued to

educate the public on: fishing, boating and other water recreational activities.

The inclusion of safety messages in their forecasts performed a tremendous public safety service by providing lifesaving information to the public.

Regional Award WINNERJoel Neikirk, VP Operations

Burger King, Mid America Hotel Corporation ● USACE Safety partner since 2009. Placed water safety messages on customer receipts and food coupons.

● Exterior digital “Life Jackets Save Lives” marquees were placed at eleven Burger King franchises in Southeast

Missouri, Northeastern Arkansas, and Southern Illinois as well as marquees outside several Popeye’s Chicken locations.

Marquee exampleApril – Aug 2015

“BUCKLE UP & SAVE

LIVES BE SAFE IN THE

WATER: WEAR YOUR

LIFE JACKETS”

“WEAR IT, LIFE JACKETS/SEAT BELTS

SAVE LIVES”

● Approximately 990,000 customers were reached just with Burger King’s printed materials because an estimated monthly # of customers served at each of the 11 Burger King locations was 18,000.

Safety Messages:

Coupon example

Award of Merit WINNERGabriel Cruz

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

While on beach patrol at Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Officer Cruz witnessed an individual being

slammed against a reef by incoming waves. Even though he immediately called the Guam Fire Department rescue squad, he took it upon himself to

enter the water and rescue the distressed swimmer.Mr. Cruz makes outstanding efforts on a daily basis to

promote water safety while cruising the beach and closes the Refuge during hazardous conditions in the

interest of public safety.

Award of Merit WINNERChristina Carmichael

Safe Kids Wake County & Wake Med Health Hospitals Injury Prevention Specialist

Wrote a grant for $2,500 that provided 250 life jackets free of charge to children and adults. For 10 weeks during the summer she rotated between swim beaches at Falls and Jordan Lakes promoting water safety and giving out the aforementioned life jackets. While being fitted, parents were instructed on how to properly fit their children in the life jackets.

A total number of face to face contacts exceeded 600.

Her efforts were noticed by local media resulting in a live TV broadcastfocusing on life jackets, swimming with a buddy, and learning to swim.

Award of Merit WINNER● Established in 2011 to promote water safety and drowning prevention coinciding w/ National Safe Boating week.

● The Team is comprised of: Swim instructors, public education professionals, youth organizations, citizens, Coast Guard Auxiliary or other boating agencies, Department of Health,

Department of Children and Families, Lake County EMS, and municipalities.

● Through coordination with area schools, flyers are distributed announcing events held at municipal pools. The events

have flourished over the past 4 years due to organizational meetings and the Lake

County BCC becoming more involved.

Award of Merit WinnerLake County Florida Water Safety

Team

● Children and parents attend these events

where CPR, life jacket drills, and mock

drowning incidents are conducted.

● Attendees learn how emergency

personnel retrieve a drowning victim, administer

first aid, and prepare the victim for transport

using real equipment.

● Professionals advise attendees about the signs of drowning, the importance of swimming with a buddy, and learning to swim.

Award of Merit WINNER Michael Marques Jr.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division

During a vessel patrol on a canal with his partner,

Agent Marques was flagged down by a woman who

advised of a 4 year old that had drowned in a pool.

Agent Marques assessed the situation, initiated

lifesaving measures and due to his quick reaction,

calmdemeanor and professionalism,

saved the life of Carson Green.

● Carson is on the road to recovery and doing well!

● Senior Agent Marques Jr. was recognized by several local news affiliates for his heroic actions.http://www.wbrz.com/news/wildlife-and-fisheries-agents-rescue-toddler/

Plaque Commendation WINNERS

Joseph McLanePresident, First Midwest Bank

Poplar Bluff, MO

Millie RogersBusiness OwnerWappapello, MO

Plaque Commendation WINNER

Joseph McLaneFirst Midwest Bank of Poplar Bluff has been an avid supporter of Wappapello Lake’s Public Safety Awareness Campaign since 1998

Safety messages are placed on its customer money envelopes at each of its eleven branches located in Southeast Missouri reaching 225,000 customers annually

3.6 million people have been recipients of this simple safety message since the partnership began in 1998

Working with 12 area partners, thousands of Day

Use Fee envelopes were produced and distributed

by Financial institutions, car dealerships, fast food

restaurants, funeral homes etc…from January to

November each year.

Plaque Commendation WINNER

Millie Rogers

● Ms. Rodgers placed a dual safety message on her customer receipts – Buckle Up! Seat Belts and Life Jackets Save Lives

Her business is located on the main artery to the recreation areas so her water safety message is seen by thousands

Donates bait for Wappapello Lake’s two big events – “Kid’s Fishing Derby” and Wappapello “Outdoor Opportunities for Disabled Sportsman”

National Water Safety CongressSaving Lives on the Water Since 1951

CONGRATULATIONS AWARD WINNERS!

&THANK YOU

Attendees for the effort you put forth in saving lives!