May 21 2010,

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Monday KATU will be showing the “Beach Safety” series we help put together on the coast in last few weeks…below are the show times!

 

The “Beach Safety” program that will be aired on KATU in a five part series on Monday May 24th; it has been a dream of mine to create a short series on “Beach Safety”, since before 9/11.  This desire to inform the residence and visitors is motivated by the many tragic events that have happened on our coast.  From little Joseph Kim who drown in Devil’s Lake nearly a decade ago to our latest fatality Mr. Davis who was taken by a “Sneaker Wave” on Valentine’s Day and all the others, in our and our neighboring Districts.  Most of our coastal Districts lose more lives to our ocean, lakes and rivers than to fire and motor vehicle crashes combined.  It is only through education can we really make our beaches safe.  All the rescue teams, swift boats and helicopters in the world just might be too late; we need to address the problem before people arrive at the beach.

 

This program will address the dangers and some of the solutions anyone can take to avoid being a victim of Sneaker Waves, Beach Logs, Rip Currents, Changing Tides, Cliff Dangers and Tsunami’s.  It was truly a pleasure to work with Melica and Gino (Reporter & Cameraman) in putting this program together and for giving their support to this venture.  KATU is permitting me to reproduce this series on DVD when completed and I attend to make it available free to anyone and everyone that desires a copy, along with other Beach Safety materials!  It is my hope to have it in classrooms statewide, state parks and coastal hotels.

Thanks to all that helped out in this project.

 

Play Safe at the Beach,

 

Lt. Jim Kusz

 

Monday, May 24th

The stories can be found on katu.com: SPECIAL SERIES: Washed Away Event Day

Thanks for all your help.

 

Tracey Lam

KATU Executive Producer of Special Projects