During the City of Palm Bay's Regular City Council Meeting on May 1, 2025, significant discussions centered around water safety initiatives aimed at preventing drowning incidents, particularly among children. Aquatic Supervisor Katie Stewart, alongside her team and representatives from Palm Bay Fire Rescue, highlighted the importance of community engagement in promoting water safety education.

Stewart introduced Brooke, a representative from Aquatics and Education, who detailed a collaborative effort to launch innovative water safety programs. These initiatives are designed to raise awareness and provide essential education to families about drowning prevention, a critical issue in Florida, where drowning is the leading cause of death for children. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, 31 children have already lost their lives this year due to drowning incidents.

Brooke emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating that the program includes participation from firefighters and water safety instructors to enhance visibility and impact. The initiative kicked off with local families at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center, where they engaged in activities aimed at promoting life-saving education.

Additionally, the state of Florida is introducing a new voucher program to provide free swim lessons to eligible families, further expanding access to water safety education. This program is currently the only registered provider in Broward County, with hopes of attracting more providers to join the effort.

Looking ahead, the team is planning the 2025 World's Largest Swim Lesson, a global event aimed at reinforcing the message that swim lessons save lives. Last year's event was a success, bringing families together to focus on water safety.

Brooke concluded her remarks by stressing that water safety is a community-wide mission, not just an individual responsibility. The meeting underscored the city's commitment to addressing this pressing issue through education and community involvement, aiming to reduce the tragic impact of drowning incidents in Palm Bay.