Lebanon Fire District
Emergency Messages as of 1:17 pm, Thu. Mar. 28
No information currently posted.
Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Lebanon Fire District.
Primary email address for a new account:

  
And/or follow our FlashAlerts via Twitter

About FlashAlert on Twitter:

FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Lebanon Fire District by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.

Click here to add Lebanon Fire District to your Twitter account or create one.

@LebanonFD

Hide this Message


Manage my existing Subscription

News Release
Gills_Landing_Kiosk.jpg
Gills_Landing_Kiosk.jpg
Fire District Debuts Life Jacket Program (Photo) - 07/08/19

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Fire District Debuts Life Jacket Program

The Lebanon Fire District is rolling out a new life saving program just in time for the height of the summer swimming season. Lebanon residents and visitors will now have free access to US Coast Guard approved life jackets at three permanent kiosks located at popular swimming areas along the South Santiam River.

The life jacket kiosks are located at Gill’s Landing near Lebanon’s River Park on E. Grant Street as well as in Waterloo Park near both boat ramps. The concept of loaner life jackets is not new (there is a similar program in the City of Albany) but this is the first time the free program has been offered in Lebanon.

People can visit any of the kiosks and follow the life jacket check out and sizing instructions printed on the kiosks. A waiver form is provided and required to be signed and deposited into a locked box prior to using a jacket. Initially, 14 jackets will be available at each kiosk on a first come-first served basis. Sizes will range from infant to extra-large adult, and jackets are intended to be used on a same-day basis and returned to the kiosk immediately after use. The jackets will be red and have the Lebanon Fire District name and logos prominently displayed on them to identify lost jackets and deter theft.

Lebanon Fire District Division Chief Jason Bolen says the program has been long overdue for Lebanon. “We know that the river gets a lot of use during the summer and we want to make sure that everyone has the means to be as safe as possible while they enjoy being on the water. We’re very proud to provide another community service to our taxpayers and visitors, and we’re grateful to our community sponsors whose generosity allow it to be a free program.”

Bolen and LFD Deputy Fire Marshal Ken Foster presented the idea for the program to the board of the Lebanon Tourism Committee in March and that resulted in a $4,500 tourism grant from the committee, funded by City of Lebanon hotel taxes. In an effort to keep costs low, Foster designed and constructed the kiosks himself, with in kind or cash contributions from local businesses. “This was a true community effort to get this program off the ground,” said Foster. “Every person I talked to about this project asked, ‘How can we help?’ and their donations of materials, time, and services are the reason this program is up and running today.”

In addition to the tourism grant, the City of Lebanon and Linn County waived the required permit fees for the project. Stability Engineering provided the structural engineering services at no cost, Briese Custom Concrete donated the concrete and finish work for the kiosk pads, and Summit Ace Home & Garden provided building materials at wholesale cost and gave a cash donation to the project. Kerry Whitlatch Farmers Insurance Agency donated funds to outfit one kiosk with life jackets, and Gateway Imprints donated a large portion of the materials and design for the kiosk signage.

Foster said that the current plan is for the jackets to be available for public use from March through October. Jackets will be collected and stored indoors over the winter months to protect them from the elements and to prevent water and mold damage. Jackets will still be available for use during the winter months but will have to be picked up and dropped off from the fire station on West Oak Street. The kiosks will be inspected weekly to check for missing or damaged straps, buckles, and jackets. A stock of spare jackets will be maintained by the fire district and a small annual budget will maintain the program in future years.

“This program is just another great example of how the Lebanon Fire District is always striving to provide more services to our community, and how the business community of Lebanon is always looking for a way to step up and get involved in making their town a little bit better and a little bit safer for everyone,” Bolen said. “This community is truly amazing, and we’re proud to serve them.”

An official ribbon cutting for the life jacket kiosks will take place on Tuesday, July 16th at 12:30 pm at Gills Landing. The community is encouraged to attend and see the new kiosks first hand. For more information on the life jacket program, contact LFD Deputy Fire Marshal Ken Foster at 541-451-1901 or kfoster@lebanonfire.com.

*** For HD Video of this and other LFD incidents, please subscribe to the Lebanon Fire District YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjTxDBuPbD3DPAybCkCgEvg ***

*** For HD photos of this and other LFD incidents, please follow the Lebanon Fire District Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LebanonFireDistrict/?ref=bookmarks ***

*** For updates on large scale incidents within the Lebanon Fire District, follow us on Twitter: @LebanonFD ***

Attached Media Files: Gills_Landing_Kiosk.jpg
View more news releases from Lebanon Fire District.