IMPERIAL VALLEY — When the final school bell of the year rings in just a few weeks, tens of thousands of joyful children across the Imperial Valley will race home to begin their summer vacations.

In preparation for the increased foot traffic on local sidewalks, driveways and streets in the coming months, two dozen recently hired mail carriers will gather for a morning of special training at the U.S. Postal Service’s first-ever Imperial Valley Safety Rodeo.

The training will occur from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25 in the employee parking lot at the rear of the El Centro Post Office, located at 1598 West Main Street.

“Our absolute top priority is to ensure the safety of our customers and employees,” said Brawley Postmaster Tamara Alexander. “During summer our carriers face the additional challenge of navigating streets and driveways that are sometimes crowded with kids being kids.

“The investment we’re making in our employees during this safety rodeo will enable us to carry out our universal service mission both safely and efficiently.”

Alexander and her fellow Imperial Valley postmasters will oversee safety training for 20-25 USPS Mail Carriers from the Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Holtville and Imperial Post Offices. The Safety Rodeo will feature six interactive stations providing the gathered mail carriers training on safe driving and reversing, dog bite prevention, and proper body mechanics.

“As outlined in USPS’s Delivering for America plan, we’re continually improving our processes and adapting to the changing needs of our customers. Our customers are priority one, whether they’re located in big east coast cities, tiny rural hamlets or mid-sized communities such as those in the Imperial Valley.”

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

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