In a collaborative effort to make outings at Caney Lake a little safer, and in their effort to take more preventative initiatives for the community, the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District (JPASD) in Jonesboro has installed a life jacket loaning station at Jimmie Davis State Park. 

Made possible through a grant received from the SeaTow Foundation, the loaning station will hold 15 life jackets, ranging from infant to adult extra-large sizes. All visitors have to do to borrow a life jacket is take one from the stand and return it at the end of the day. 

“We hope this new initiative will prevent future disasters,” said JPASD EMS Director Aaron Johnson. “We’ve had drownings, we’ve had near drownings, so there’s a need out there, and this is a significant way to make an impact, with just a life jacket.”

Per a report by the CDC, drowning deaths are on the rise after decades of decline, and JPASD Director of Operations, JoLynn Smith, says that to completely prevent accidental drownings, it takes everyone to make sure safety always comes first.

“You know, it takes everybody coming together, not only SeaTow, but Jackson Parish Ambulance, to the Wildlife and Fisheries, Jimmy Davis State Park, to lake people spreading the word to help prevent accidents from happening. It’s a collaboration between everybody.”