Polar Plunge Supports Port Jervis Water Operations Team
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelSwimmer Parveen Sangha of Greenwood Lake pictured with Port Jervis Water Operation Team divers Dana Presto, Justin Brewster, Mike Aumick, and Tim Simmons, submerges in cold waters daily as part of a cold therapy routine for health.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelSome went in and quickly out, others submerging to their waist, as others dove in and took a swim before exiting this year’s Delaware River Polar Plunge, under the watchful eye of Port Jervis Fire Department Water Operations Team divers.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelA large number of volunteer emergency personnel, including this group of Port Jervis FD firefighters, were on hand to assist with PJFD’s 2nd annual Polar Plunge at West End Beach.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelSparrowbush Engine Company was among the supporters and participants in Port Jervis Fire Department's 2nd Polar Plunge. Firefighter Danielle Glynn (pictured in vehicle) took the plunge last year, and her son Scott Glynn (pictured far right) took the plunge this year.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Fire Department longtime firefighter and Water Operations diver Tim Simmons, who is also a 4th Ward Councilman for Port Jervis, and Port Jervis Recreation Department's Director of Recreation John Faggione were co-organizers of Port’s Polar Plunge for this second time event held on January 16, 2021.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelA large number of volunteer emergency personnel, including this group of Port Jervis Fire Department firefighters, were on hand to assist with PJFD’s 2nd annual Polar Plunge at West End Beach last weekend.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Fire Department longtime firefighter and Water Operations diver Tim Simmons, who is also a 4th Ward Councilman for Port Jervis, and Port Jervis Recreation Department's Director of Recreation John Faggione were co-organizers of Port’s Polar Plunge for this second time event held on January 16, 2021 and provided guidelines and assistance throughout the event.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelA large number of volunteer emergency personnel, including these units from Port Jervis Fire Department, were on hand to assist with PJFD’s 2nd annual Polar Plunge at a very muddy but well-cleared and prepared West End Beach last weekend.
Port Jervis, NY - More than 100 supporters plunged into the 32-degree Delaware River in January in support of Port Jervis Fire Department’s 2nd annual Polar Plunge. The event, hosted at West End Beach in Port Jervis, was a fundraiser held for PJFD’s Water Operations Team. PJFD divers were stationed mid-river to keep watch as participants submerged to varying depths and lengths of time in the bone-chilling, swiftly moving river.
Many participants made a return visit for the event, repeating last year’s first time PJ Polar Plunge. Some entered the water completing their personal challenge multiple times.
Those who participated said they enjoyed the accomplishment as a personal feat, but mainly wanted to show support for the responders who help their community so generously as volunteers throughout each year.
Chip Estenes, a repeat participant, applied a temporary mustache and wore a vintage style suit into the water for the event. He said he is always glad to support the efforts of Port’s all-volunteer fire department and appreciates their skillful responses and protection of the region they serve.
To help keep people warm, organizers constructed multiple fire pits spaced along the beach for individual groups and families to enjoy within socially distanced ongoing pandemic guidelines. Masks were worn whenever anyone was not with the group they arrived with.
The January 16th event was chaired by PJFD Water Operations Team 1st Lt./4th Ward Councilman Tim Simmons and by Port Jervis Recreation Director John Faggione. Both Simmons and Faggione expressed their gratitude for the support of so many in making the event an even bigger success than last year’s first time Polar Plunge.
“We were encouraged by the number of people who were willing to come out and do something for us, as well as being able to turn a corner and get out and do something outside and close to normal again,” Simmons said. “Everyone took turns by the fire and sort of policed themselves in keeping everything running smoothly and within the pandemic guidelines. It went very smoothly and I think everyone really enjoyed it.”
Simmons said next year’s Polar Plunge will take place mid-January, 2022, with the actual date to be posted in the near future. The organizers hope even more will enjoy taking a Polar Plunge next year.