Elementary students receive free lifejackets

Lifejackets are now in the hands of 287 Donley County students from HeadStart through 5th grade thanks to the combined efforts of the Associated Ambulance Authority and Greenbelt Water Authority.
Hedley elementary students received their jackets last Thursday, and Clarendon students got theirs on Monday. Both sets of students learned about water safety from EMS, volunteer firemen, and representatives from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Ambulance director Anna Howard said the project began last year when the ambulance service received a $1,190.90 grant from the Panhandle Regional Advisory Council for injury prevention.

“We originally were just planning to have some lifejackets on hand and pass them out when we felt it was appropriate, but I mentioned it to Greenbelt and they matched the grant – and probably went over – and got jackets for all the elementary kids in the county.”

“Next month is water awareness month, but we figured we would go ahead and do it now since May gets so busy,” said Renee Betts of Greenbelt Water Authority.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Dept. Dive Team, Texas Parks & Wildlife, the Department of Public Safety, Greenbelt, and the ambulance authority visited both schools. Students got a close up look and explanation of diving equipment, an ambulance, a state patrol car, and a game warden’s boat.

The kids were fitted with their jackets and reminded that they need to be worn tightly so they don’t slip off in the water.

“We were thrilled to do it,” Howard said. “The kids were excited, and hopefully it will help save a life.”

 Twenty-four people have drowned in Greenbelt Lake since it opened in 1968. Betts said they hope that these jackets will help prevent that number rising. No one wearing a lifejacket has died at Greenbelt.

 “We hope that our efforts help raise awareness on water safety,” Betts said.

Howard said the ambulance service intends to apply for the grant funds again next year if they are available to try to prevent future drownings.