The City and County of Honolulu will host the 2008 Drowning Prevention and Ocean Safety Conference on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at the Queen’s Conference Center on the grounds of the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

 

Ocean safety and injury prevention experts from across the state and nation will discuss lifeguard organization issues, automated external defibrillators and the nationally recognized Junior Lifeguard program.

 

“We are delighted that Honolulu will be hosting this year’s conference,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann.  “It provides an opportunity for lifeguards throughout the islands and the rest of the country to see why the City’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division is respected world-wide.”

 

Ocean safety personnel from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii counties as well as ocean lifeguards from San Diego and Los Angeles counties, will be in attendance.  Representatives from the Hawaii Department of Health’s Injury Prevention and Control Program and the Department of Land and Natural Resources will also be on hand to present agency reports and provide program updates.

 

““This conference will allow us to exchange ideas and share new developments and opinions,” said Ralph Goto, Administrator for the City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division.  “It helps us build and maintain relationships amongst all lifeguards locally as well as nationally. “

 

Registration information is available at: www.honolulu.gov/esd/oceansafety

 

Cost is $40.00, which includes continental breakfast and lunch.

 

The 2008 Ocean Safety and Drowning Prevention Conference is sponsored by the City Emergency Services Department’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, and the Hawaii Department of Health’s Injury Prevention and Control Program.

 

Contact:

Bryan Cheplic, HESD PIO, (808) 723-7814