YELLOWKNIFE (July 24, 2013) - A Lifejacket Loaner Station program will pilot this August at Fred Henne beach, providing free lifejackets for the public to borrow and then return after use for other patrons.

The GNWT is working in partnership with the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (Lifesaving Society), Canada’s expert on water safety, to put the pilot program in place. This is the first time a Lifesaving Society lifejacket loaner station will pilot in the Northwest Territories.

“We will continue to work with the experts at the Lifesaving Society, the public and with each other to raise public awareness about the importance of water safety. Lifejackets save lives and we encourage everyone using the water to be water smart,” said Minister of ITI, David Ramsay. “Community support has been amazing and we want to thank the citizens and businesses who have come forward to express their wish to help with initiatives such as the pilot of the lifejacket loaner station program.”

The lifejacket loaner station program consists of two elements: public education as well as free lifejackets available to borrow and return.

The Lifesaving Society will donate the initial inventory of up to 30 children’s size jackets, educational materials and signage, and rack card and comment boxes to start the pilot. The GNWT will also be working with local business owner Trevor Kasteel to construct and install the lifejacket kiosk. The kiosk will be installed in September but lifejackets will be available for loan in early August.

The Lifesaving Society is Canada’s expert on water safety. The Society works to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, Water Smart public education initiatives, water-incident research, aquatic safety management services and lifesaving sport. The Society is an independent, charitable organization. Anyone who would like to assist with the lifejacket loaner station program kiosk or other safety initiatives aimed at the NWT can contact the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories for further information and to make a donation.

Links:

Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories

Water Smart ® Program

GNWT Healthy Choices Framework

GNWT reviews beach safety

For more information, please contact: 

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696