Getting set for Safety Fest

Tools

Story Published: Jun 22, 2007 at 4:46 PM PDT

By Andy Peterson

Video

Safety is the ultimate goal of a big event at Alton Baker Park this weekend.

Eugene firefighter Dave Hall backed a truck up to the Bi-Mart warehouse in West Eugene Friday morning to pick up six pallets of life jackets, which the Fire Department will give away at Saturday's "Safety Fest."

Hall and his son, Ashton, loaded more than $7000 worth of life jackets, which kids can get for free with just a little bit of work.

"They'll have to fill out a passport," Hall explains, "which basically they'll go to eight different booths at SafetyFest, with a specific safety message. And once they've gotten all their stamps in their passport, then they'll be able to turn that in for a free life jacket."

Hall says if the fire department can prevent just one drowning this summer, it's worth the effort.

"We have a number of drownings each year in Lane County, and one is too many," Hall says. "We see people on the river every year without life jackets -- adults and kids. And this is a way we can hopefully get some life jackets on kids that might not otherwise wear one."

Firefighters will also be distributing free bike helmets to kids as part of the event.

"Safety Fest" runs from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday at Alton Baker Park. The event is free.

Current Weather

Current Temp 92.0 °F

A Few Clouds

Video

More Weather

Current Weather

More Weather

New:

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.