News of The Month

You can find recent activities happening in Fresno County or throughout California.

Overview: Communities across California are promoting water safety with events, training, and resources this summer. Below is a roundup of August drowning prevention activities – from free swim lessons to safety fairs – in the state’s most populous counties. Each listing includes a summary and a link for more information.

Los Angeles County

  • Free Summer Swim Programs: Los Angeles County operated an expanded Summer Pool season through August 16, offering a “full array of free and low-cost aquatic programming” (e.g. swimming lessons and water safety classes) at public pools. Families could enroll in these programs to improve swim skills and learn about drowning prevention. (See LA County Parks announcement for details.)

San Diego County

Orange County

Riverside County

  • Free Swim Lessons for Kids: Young children in Riverside County have been learning to swim for free this summer. At the Palm Desert Aquatic Center (YMCA), kids 5 and under can “make a splash with FREE swim lessons all summer long,” thanks to a First 5 Riverside County grant. These no-cost lessons (offered through August) aim to prevent toddler drownings by teaching water skills to little ones and water-safety knowledge to parents.

 

San Bernardino County

  • Drowning Prevention & Safety Day: San Bernardino County communities held a major water-safety outreach event last month. The City of Rialto hosted “Drowning Prevention & Safety Day” on Saturday, July 19, at Tom Sawyer Pool, where families enjoyed free swim time, watched rescue demonstrations with local firefighters, and learned pool safety tips. This annual summer event is part of the county’s campaign to educate parents and children about drowning risks and prevention strategies.

Santa Clara County

Young participants learning to water-ski at a Santa Clara County Parks “Taste of Water Skiing” clinic – an example of fun recreational programs that emphasize water safety.

  • Youth Water Ski Safety Clinics: In Santa Clara County, the Parks Department teamed up with the Santa Clara County Water Ski Club to offer “A Taste of Water Skiing” clinics for kids. These free summer clinics (held in July) provided all equipment and lessons for youth ages 8–17 to learn water-skiing in a safe, controlled setting. By teaching kids to wear life vests and follow safety rules on the water, the program helped build water competency and prevent accidents. (Contact Santa Clara County Parks for future water-sport safety events.)

Alameda County

  • Life Jacket Loaner Program: East Bay swimming areas in Alameda County are making sure everyone stays safe at the lake or pool. The East Bay Regional Park District provides free loaner life jackets at all its guarded swim facilities for any visitor who needs one. If you’re unsure of your swimming abilities, you can borrow a life vest (courtesy of the Regional Parks Foundation) at parks like Cull Canyon, Lake Temescal, or Don Castro. This ongoing service is an easy way for families to add a layer of protection against drowning during summer outings.

Contra Costa County

  • Life Jackets at Park Swim Areas: Contra Costa residents can also take advantage of the East Bay parks’ free life jacket program. Every East Bay Regional Park District swimming beach or pool with lifeguards offers complimentary life jackets for children and adults to borrow while swimming. By wearing a properly fitting life vest (required for kids under 13 on boats by law), park visitors can significantly reduce drowning risk. (No special event is needed – simply ask a lifeguard for a loaner jacket when you arrive at the swim area.)

 

 

Sacramento County

  • Summer Swim Lesson Programs: In the Sacramento area, agencies have been running drowning prevention activities all summer. For example, the Cosumnes CSD in southern Sacramento County offered an extensive Summer Swim Lesson schedule (June 2 – August 7, 2025) at its aquatic centers. These affordable lessons for kids and teens continued through early August at pools in Elk Grove and Galt. Local public health officials note that formal swimming instruction and water competency can dramatically reduce childhood drowning risk. (Contact your local parks and rec department for fall swim lesson opportunities.)

Fresno County

  • Water Safety Outreach Events: Fresno County is actively promoting water safety through hospitals and coalitions. Valley Children’s Healthcare leads a comprehensive Water Safety Program that provides “broad-based awareness messaging, educational opportunities and community outreach events” to families throughout the Central Valley. This includes partnering with groups like the Water Safety Council of Fresno County and Safe Kids Central Valley to host safety fairs, distribute life jackets, and teach the “ABC’s of Water Safety” (Adult supervision, Barriers like pool fences, and Classes like CPR and swim lessons). Keep an eye on local community calendars – free water safety events and CPR trainings are offered in the Fresno area year-round.

Sources

  • Los Angeles County Parks – Summer 2025 Aquatics Programs

  • Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego – Summer 2025 Parent & Tot Workshops (social post)

  • United States Lifesaving Association – 2025 National Lifeguard Championships Announcement

  • City of Palm Desert / First 5 Riverside – Free Tot Swim Lessons Announcement

  • City of Rialto – Drowning Prevention & Safety Day 2025 Event Info

  • Santa Clara County Parks – “A Taste of Water Skiing” Youth Clinic Details

  • East Bay Regional Park District – Water Safety Notice (Free Loaner Life Jackets)

  • Cosumnes CSD – Summer Swim Lessons Schedule 2025

  • Valley Children’s Hospital – Water Safety Program Overview

Millerton Lake Kids Water Safety Day 2025 Highlights

Millerton Lake Kid’s Safety Day Makes Waves for Water Safety – May 17, 2025

By Mark Simonian, MD, Chair, the Water Safety Council of Fresno County

On May 17th, families from across the Central Valley gathered at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area for the Annual Kid’s Safety Day, an event dedicated to engaging youth and families in life-saving education around water, outdoor, and emergency safety. With the support of over a dozen public safety and health agencies, the event showcased the power of cross-agency collaboration to prevent injuries and promote safe summer fun.

The event also marked a major investment in drowning prevention, with $1,000 contributions from both the Water Safety Council of Fresno County and Valley Children’s Hospital, directly supporting the Millerton Lake Life Jacket Loaner Program—ensuring free access to properly fitted PFDs for children and families recreating at the lake.

Agency Highlights:

  • Valley Children’s Water Safety Team delivered vital information to families on drowning prevention, especially for young children, and distributed educational materials designed for parents and caregivers.

  • The Coast Guard Auxiliary provided hands-on demonstrations on life jacket fitting and emphasized the importance of boating safety practices for all ages.

  • California State Parks Lifeguards engaged youth with interactive discussions on recognizing water hazards and the importance of swimming near a lifeguard.

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shared key insights on lake and dam safety and highlighted how their infrastructure management intersects with recreational safety.

  • The Fresno Air National Guard displayed their Black Hawk Helicopter, some of their water rescue equipment and gave families a look into how their air operations can assist in emergency response missions.

  • A State Park Patrol Boat was on-site, drawing crowds as rangers explained how they patrol the lake, enforce safety laws, and respond to emergencies on the water.

  • The Madera County Sheriff’s Water Rescue Team gave an up-close view of their specialized gear and explained how rapid response plays a critical role in life-saving rescues.

  • Representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offered education on safe coexistence with wildlife, along with water safety tips for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Fresno Fire’s Water Rescue Team demonstrated some of their swift water rescue techniques and explained how they coordinate with other first responders.

  • American Ambulance staff opened their emergency vehicles to visitors and shared tips on how to act quickly during medical emergencies—especially those related to near-drownings.

  • Fresno County Fire Department showcased their fire apparatus and water rescue capabilities, highlighting how wildfire and water safety intersect during California’s dry summers.

  • California State Parks rangers educated attendees on the state’s PFD loaner program and water safety rules, reinforcing the importance of proper planning before any recreational outing.

  • The Sierra National Forest Park Service offered a naturalist’s perspective on staying safe during wilderness adventures, including information on hiking near rivers and creeks.

Thanks to all our partners and supporters, this year’s Kid’s Safety Day was a true success. The energy, education, and shared commitment to protecting children around water left a lasting impression on all who attended.

Together, we are making California safer—one life jacket, one lesson, and one family at a time.

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2019

Our YouTube Channel adds so much fun and educational material on water sasfety and drowning prevention. Take a moment a check us out.

PSA 2019

Fresno County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed the month of May 2018 officially as "Water Safety Month" in Fresno

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May 1, 2018 - The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed the month of May officially as "Water Safety Month" in Fresno County. Pictured with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors are WSC members Brandy Swisher of Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (bottom left), Cristel Tufenkjian from Kings River Conservation District (middle), and Mary Jo Quintero from Valley Children's Hospital (bottom right). We thank the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for their proclamation and commitment to the community, and District 1 Supervisor Brian Pacheco for his sponsorship of the proclamation. #watersafety #WaterSafetyMonth #Proclamation#WaterSafetyCouncil #WaterSafetyCouncilofFresnoCounty #SupervisorPacheco#FresnoCountyBOS #ValleyChildrensHospital #KRCD #KingsRiverConservationDistrict#FMFCD #FresnoMetropolitanFloodControlDistrict #SupervisorMendes#SupervisorQuintero #SupervisorBorgeas #SupervisorMagsig