Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin and its community partners debuted a new life jacket loaner station at the Oconee River Greenway Park in Milledgeville at the end of May. The station is located just outside of the picnic area near the boat ramp at the park.
Project Manager and Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin Chief Operating Officer Thomas Goss stated the project was initially brought to his attention by EMS teammates Greg Joiner and Ciera Pettway.
“This was brought up in February of 2025 based on concerns in the community about the availability of life vests in the common areas of our parks and waterways,” said Goss. “Greg Joiner is the local EMS manager and Ciera Pettway is our paramedic supervisor and both have worked in the Baldwin community for some time. The Greenway is the most visited area with boat access in the city, so they recognized the need for life jackets and a life buoy.”
The Oconee River Greenway Park was chosen because it is within city limits, is in close proximity to the hospital, and is one of the most popular locations to visit within the city, according to Goss.
“With it being such a high visibility and high usability area, the city of Milledgeville and Atrium agreed it would be the next best location for a station. There are other areas in Baldwin County that have loaner stations as well,” said Goss.
The life jacket loaner station has child and adult sizes of approved life jackets. It also includes a few safety buoys for a “quick need for a floatation or rescue device.” The Milledgeville Police Department will check the station daily during regular patrols and if a life jacket has not been returned, the department can check inventory to ensure the jacket is replaced.
“The community can contact the city of Milledgeville directly, a county commissioner, or the police department if they would like to donate life jackets. That will also assist in keeping the number of life jackets where they should be,” said Goss.
A ribbon cutting for the station was held May 21 with Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan and representatives from the police department, Baldwin County Emergency Management Services, Atrium EMS, and the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners alongside community partners
and members.
“It was a very well attended event and we are thankful for that support,” said Goss. “The hospital is a part of the community, and we believe in this community. We do not only want to provide the best care at the hospital but to also partner with others to be able to provide for needs in the area.”
As a paramedic and registered nurse, Goss reminds the community to be mindful of the dangers of the water: Always practice life-saving measures, supervise children and family members in the water, avoid alcohol, and be aware of the depth and what is at the bottom of the body of water.
“The river may look calm on the surface but underneath there might be turbulent waters,” said Goss. “We want everyone to be as aware and safe as possible.”