Those recreating at Jensen’s Grove this summer may be a little safer thanks to two new life-jacket loaner stations provided by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

    The stations, which were installed over Memorial Day weekend, are near the boat ramp and the volleyball pit and provide life jackets that people can borrow at no charge.

    “This is precautionary,” said Russ Goodwin, parks foreman for the city of Blackfoot. “Anytime people — kids or adults — are in the water there’s always (a chance we could) have a situation.”

    And officials want to make sure that people are wearing life jackets, or can quickly access them, if they do run into problems.

    Each station offers more than a dozen life jackets in a variety of sizes, and include instructions so people can select one that fits them, Goodwin said.

    “It’s a good thing to have for the lake,” he said, adding that many young children play on the beach area.

    The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, working in partnership with sheriff’s offices, cities, Boy Scout troops and other organizations has placed roughly 40 life jacket loaner stations across the state in recent years, said David Dahms, manager of the department’s boating program.

    “We’re always looking to put new stations in,” he said, adding that Jensen’s Grove is a popular place for boating and other water activities, and officials thought it was an ideal spot for the stations.

    Dahms said the life jacket loaner stations promote water safety and can help prevent drownings.

    “We want to make sure people have the safety equipment they need to spend the day on the water and be safe,” he said.

    Brad Ostler, a marine patrol deputy in Power County, said they have life jacket loaner stations available at several popular recreation sites in that area, and they are well used.

    “I would like to hope that they have prevented many tickets and many fatalities,” Ostler said, adding that the life jackets protect people in emergency situations. They are also required by law.

    Ostler said those 14 and younger must wear life jackets when they are on a boat that is less than 19 feet long. And all boats are required to have life jackets, which can be quickly accessed, for every person on board.

    One of the life jacket loaner stations in Power County is near the west boat dock at the American Falls Reservoir, where four men drowned in 2010 after one man fell into the water and the others dove in to help him.

    None of the men were wearing life jackets when the mishap occurred.

    The families of the victims were instrumental in getting a station placed in that area.

    They also set a stone nearby, carved with the words, “It’s only a life preserver if you have it on — a gift from the family and friends of Aaron Hale, Jared Hale, Darrel Shappart and Stephen Verbeck, drowned in American Falls Reservoir August 8, 2010.”

    Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and local law enforcement officials hope the life jacket loaner stations located throughout the state will help prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

    Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland said he was glad to see the stations placed at Jensen’s Grove last weekend.

    “If people wear them, it can save lives, and that’s the biggest thing we’re looking at,” he said.