Drowning Prevention through Education, Vigilance and Rescue

(Portland, OR.) – American Medical Response (AMR) River Rescue Team is completing their training academy in preparation to kick-off its 21st season this week.  Media is invited to attend the annual Kick-off event on Friday, May 24, 2019, at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale. River Rescue Technicians (lifeguards trained in swiftwater rescue) will provide lifeguard services at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale, and High Rocks Park in Gladstone, starting Saturday, May 25, of the Memorial Day weekend. River Rescue Technicians will monitor the river at the parks seven days a week during the following hours:

• Glenn Otto Park, Troutdale:   10:00 am to 8:00 pm
• High Hocks, Gladstone:         11:00 am to 7:00 pm 

Springtime in Oregon means high water levels from mountain snowpack, fast, cold currents, and unexpected debris and drop-offs. AMR’s River Rescue Team strongly recommends anyone on, in, or near the water wear life jackets. 

Before AMR’s River Rescue Program began in 1999, the rivers at Glenn Otto and High Rocks Parks previously claimed two to four lives each year. The mission of AMR’s River Rescue Team is to prevent drowning by providing visitors with water safety and water condition information, to identify and alert swimmers and park visitors of potential hazards, and to rescue swimmers in distress.  

Drowning is preventable.  Being aware of hazards can save lives. AMR’s River Rescue Team recommends you:

• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket in the proper size when you are in, on, or near water - including docks and beaches
• Are aware and prepared for the hazards before you go in (swift currents, cold shock, debris)
• Know your swimming abilities – If you cannot swim, do not go in!
• Keep children within arm’s reach and provide constant supervision in and around water 

Event:             AMR's River Rescue Program Kick-Off and Media Event**

Date:               10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm Friday, May 24, 2019

                         Contact us for earlier or later hours

Attending:     AMR's River Rescue Team and Leah Gordon, AMR River Rescue Program Coordinator

Location:       Glenn Otto Park, Troutdale, Oregon

                        1106 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060

**Photo, video & audio opportunities available during River Rescue training demonstrations.

2018 River Rescue Season Totals:

Glenn Otto Park          32,614 visitors

High Rocks Park         28,376 visitors

Total                           60,990 visitors

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About American Medical Response

American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to transport more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. AMR also provides fire services through Rural Metro Fire Department, www.ruralmetrofire.com, and managed transportation services through Access2Care, www.access2care.net. AMR is a subsidiary of Global Medical Response, www.GlobalMedicalResponse.com. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net and follow American Medical Response on Facebook @AMR_Social on Twitter and Instagram. Locally, AMR provides ambulance services in Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark Counties. AMR and its predecessor companies have served Portland area communities since 1913.