Polar Plunge Benefits Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelMembers of Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad, Water Operations Team, were stationed in the Delaware River to assist all participants in Port's 5th Annual Polar Plunge, January 13, 2024.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelMembers of Port Jervis FD's Special Operations Squad, Water Operations Team, were stationed in the Delaware River to assist all participants in Port's 5th Annual Polar Plunge, January 13, 2024.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelMembers of Port Jervis Fire Department established and tended to bonfires on West End Beach to warm participants in Port's 5th Annual Polar Plunge, January 13, 2024.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Recreation Department's 5th Annual Polar Plunge benefit for Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad, is shown at the foggy Delaware River West End Beach on the morning of January 13, 2024.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Recreation Department's 5th Annual Polar Plunge benefit for Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad, is shown at the foggy Delaware River West End Beach on the morning of January 13, 2024. Pictured are the two recently elected mayors of communities on each side of the river, Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese (who is also a Past PJFD Chief) and Matamoras Mayor Cory Homer (who is also a Matamoras, PA firefighter).
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelMembers of Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad, Water Operations Team, were stationed in the Delaware River to assist all participants in Port's 5th Annual Polar Plunge, January 13, 2024.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelMembers of Port Jervis Fire Department's Special Operations Squad, Water Operations Team, were stationed in the Delaware River to assist all participants in Port's 5th Annual Polar Plunge, January 13, 2024. This participating 'penguin' (Chip Estenes) has participated in all five years of plunges and has raised substantial funds for the cause.
PORT JERVIS, NY - Port Jervis’ Recreation Department hosted the city’s Fifth Annual Polar Plunge on January 13th. The event is held each January to benefit Port Jervis Fire Department’s Special Operations Squad, as well as offer a fun outdoor winter event in the region.
Unlike past frigid years when river ice actually had to be cut to allow a ‘plunge zone’ for participants, the near-50-degrees air temperature was a pleasure for the 58 who submerged in the river this year. While the river level was elevated due to weeks of recent rain, this was viewed as a positive by some who compared it to past plunges.
PJFD’s Water Operations Team members and plunge participants were able to walk on a sandy flooded beach to enter and exit the water this year, rather than the rocky river bed surface encountered when the water is shallower.
PJFD Firefighter Tim Simmons, who is the 1st Lieutenant of PJFD’s Water Operations Team, has chaired the event with PJ Recreation Director John Faggione annually. Simmons praised those who helped with the event, and those who participated and helped raise funds for the team.
Simmons said some have participated in all five years that the event has been held, while others were experiencing it for the first time.
One nine-year-old girl, Skylar Delellas, used her birthday money to pay the $25 event registration fee, wanting to personally support the cause. Another 12-year-old, Ryder Scott, participated on what was his actual 12th birthday this year. With the water temperature estimated to be in the low to mid 40s, Ryder, his dad, and his nine-year-old brother took the plunge together.
“We really appreciate the support from everyone involved,” Simmons said.
Port Jervis Fire Department’s Special Operations Squad is comprised of three specialized response teams– Accident Victim Extrication Team, Technical Rescue Rope Team, and Water Operations Team.
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