Parent of Drowning Victim Urges Prevention in Ch. 11 Show

Contact: Jane Poston
Public Information Officer
480-782-2231 office
480-212-6258 cell

July 11, 2011

Parent of Drowning Victim Urges Prevention in Ch. 11 Show

CHANDLER, Ariz. --- It’s been 18 years since 1-year-old Eric Fritz drowned in only an inch of water, and his family thinks about him every single day. This is why his father, John Fritz, wanted to share his story with other families in hopes of preventing another tragedy.

Chandler Channel 11 is airing the Eric Fritz Story on drowning prevention in an ongoing effort to encourage parents to be vigilant when their children are near water. Hosted by crisis intervention specialist Kanika Henry, John Fritz tells his story, along with two firefighters, Kevin Gale and Dan Kuefner, who were on that call 18 years ago.

“Even in the last few weeks we’ve had water incidents with children,” said Chandler Fire Chief Jeff Clark. “They were all pulled out in time, but only a few seconds more and those incidents could have turned out very differently.”

This video continues an intense citywide campaign launched earlier this year by the Chandler Fire Department in response to an increased number of drowning incidents in the city. John Fritz volunteered to share his story in response to that campaign. “We are deeply grateful that this family is willing to share their story, and our sympathies are with them,” said Chief Clark. “Parents who take a moment to watch it will definitely be affected by its message.”

The show is airing daily on Chandler Channel 11, available to cable customers in Chandler, or streaming online at http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=748.

The “Eye to Eye to Supervise” campaign is directed primarily at adults who bear the responsibility to secure their pools, supervise the children in their care, teach them how to swim, and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). For information on that campaign and other resources, visit www.chandleraz.gov/fire.