Brandon, Fla. - March 7, 2005 - The newly formed Hillsborough Water Safety Team (HWST) says drowning is no joke on April 1, 2005. A water safety and drowning prevention press conference is scheduled for April 1 at 10 a.m. at the Tampa Children's Board located at 1002 East Palm Ave. All members of media are encouraged to attend.

The April Pool's Day campaign is a multi-disciplinary and inter-agency collaborative team working to raise awareness of drowning prevention initiatives in Hillsborough County.

The April Pool's Day press conference spokesperson will be three-time Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett.

"I am an avid supporter of water safety," Bennett said. "All children should have active supervision from a parent or guardian whenever they are in, near, or around any type of water including: swimming pools, lakes, streams, beaches, bathtubs, and buckets of water. Parents and guardians of children five and older should also enroll their child in a credible water safety or swimming lessons program."

The HWST is currently working with Tampa Digital Studios and spokeswoman Brooke Bennet to create both a video and radio public service announcement (PSA) promoting the drowning prevention campaign.

The video and radio PSA will be given to all media representatives at the April 1 press conference.

Several prominent community members supporting the drowning prevention initiative will be present at the April Pool's Day press conference to answer questions from media.

Press conference panelist will be comprised of spokespersons from the Tampa General Hospital Child Protection Team, SAFE KIDS Tampa at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, the Department of Children and Families, the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, Tampa Police Chief, Stephen Hogue, Hillsborough County Sheriff, David Gee, Tampa Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter, City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, the Tampa Metro YMCA, and United Pool and Spa Association among others. Additionally, Olympic swimmers, divers, swim instructors and coaches from the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center will be available for questions and comments.

For more information on HWST first annual April Pool's Day please contact James Finnegan, manager, Child Protection Team at Tampa General Hospital at (813) 844-4926, Bevin Maynard, coordinator, SAFE KIDS Tampa at (813) 231-9497, Ext. 226, or Jill Boudreaux, Director of Community and Media Relations for the Brandon Sports and Aquatic center at (813)689-0908, Ext 11. Visit us on the web at www.hillsboroughwatersafetyteam.org.

The mission of the HWST is to prevent childhood drowning and near drowning through public awareness, education and outreach by collaboration and coordination of community resources.