The City of Oakland Park reinforced its commitment to water safety by expanding the deployment of Coast Guard-regulated rescue Life Rings at key locations throughout the community. In partnership with local advocate Sarah Perry, the Oakland Park Fire Rescue Department commemorated this milestone with a special event on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Royal Palm Park.

This initiative stemmed from the Aden Perry Hero Life Ring Initiative, launched by Sarah Perry in memory of her son, Aden, a Western High School student who tragically lost his life in 2022 while attempting to save a person from a submerged vehicle. Inspired by Aden’s bravery, Sarah worked tirelessly to install life-saving equipment in communities across Broward County.

With ten Life Rings already in place and ten more planned for installation, the event highlighted the City’s ongoing efforts to prevent drownings, which remained the leading cause of unintentional death among young children in Broward County. The initiative aligned with Oakland Park’s recent designation as a Gold Water SMART Community, the highest recognition awarded by the Florida Department of Health for cities prioritizing water safety education, prevention, and response measures.

By integrating drowning prevention education, community partnerships, and essential safety equipment, Oakland Park took proactive steps toward achieving a zero-drowning rate in the community.