LEBANON Ore. (KPTV) – To keep people safe on the Santiam River during the summer, the Lebanon Fire District’s (LDF) free life jacket stations have proven to be successful. But according to the Fire District, they’re now dealing with a theft problem and may be forced to close the free life jacket program altogether.
“The rescues that we were going out on they didn’t have lifejackets. They would get caught up in swift water, and we would have problems,” said Ken Foster, Fire Marshal at Lebanon Fire District.
Every summer since 2019, LDF has posted its life jacket loaner stations at popular swimming spots along the river. This summer, one station is located at Gill’s Landing RV Park, and two stations are located at Waterloo County Park. Each station usually has a variety of life jackets, ranging in size from infant to adult large…