Orange County Fire Authority urges Westminster families to treat drowning as preventable at council meeting

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) officials briefed the Westminster City Council on June 25 about a year‑to‑date rise in drownings and urged community action on water safety, highlighting active supervision, barriers, swimming lessons and CPR as central prevention measures.

Chief Craig Covey said OCFA has seen a sharp number of drownings in recent months and recounted a near‑tragedy on May 10 when an off‑duty lifeguard and a CPR‑trained bystander revived a seven‑year‑old who had been submerged with no pulse. “Drowning is preventable,” Chief Covey said, and he emphasized that many drownings occur silently and in seconds. OCFA urged parents and caregivers to designate a “water watcher” whose sole task is to supervise children near water and to avoid distractions such as phones.

The presentation emphasized three prevention pillars commonly recommended by aquatic safety programs: active adult supervision (water watchers), physical barriers (fencing and self‑closing gates), and formal classes (learn‑to‑swim plus CPR training). OCFA staff highlighted statistics that a large share of drownings occur in backyard pools and spas and that small children can drown in inches of water.

OCFA also said it would partner with the city and police on fireworks safety over the Fourth of July period and previewed community outreach and inspections of permitted booths and fireworks sales. The presentation included a testimonial from a family that experienced a near drowning and emphasized the emotional and life‑altering consequences for families.

Councilmembers thanked OCFA for the outreach and asked staff to amplify materials about pool safety, lifeguard availability and CPR training. OCFA said it would provide outreach materials for city channels and engage with schools and parks programs for summer safety.