Port Jervis Fire Department hosts Special Operations Team Polar Plunge event!
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelProviding a watchful eye and help if needed were Orange County Technical Rescue Team Deputy Coordinator Anthony Kurtz, Port Jervis Fire Department firefighters and Special Operations Team members Mike Aumick, PJFD Chief Keith Brown, PJFD Past Chief Frank Fuller III, Dana Presto, Justin Brewster, and Billy Brewster
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelHelping with the Polar Plunge were many firefighters and other supporters, some of whom are pictured here: Joe Scott, Justin Brewster, Pete Tomasi, PJFD Past Chief Jeff Rhoades, Dan Hill, Mike Hill, PJFD 2nd Assistant Chief Jeff Lewis, Tim Simmons, Billy Brewster, Chris Southard, Rob Donahue, Chuckie McBride, Mike Aumick, Bill Imhold, Kathy Hockenberry, Port Jervis Councilman-at-Large Mike Hockenberry, Russell Scott, Port Jervis Second Ward Councilwoman Misty Fuller, PJFD Past Chief/Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese, PJFD Chief Keith Brown, Stacy Hosking, Orange County Technical Rescue Team Deputy Coordinator Anthony Kurtz, PJFD Past Chief Frank Fuller III, Dana Presto
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelChip Estenes is one of the many community participants who have supported the Polar Plunge annually and who praised al that local emergency volunteer responders do throughout each year.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPJFD Special Operations Team members were there for safety reasons and enjoyed interacting with Polar Plunge supporters.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPJFD Special Operations Team members arrived early to map out and cut a path through the icy Delaware River for Port Jervis Fire Department's Sixth Annual Polar Plunge.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPJFD Special Operations Team members arrived early to map out and cut a path through the icy Delaware River for Port Jervis Fire Department's Sixth Annual Polar Plunge.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPJFD Special Operations Team members arrived early to map out and cut a path through the icy Delaware River for Port Jervis Fire Department's Sixth Annual Polar Plunge. Noleen Tomasi has participated in all six of the plunges and was there to see the chunks of ice removed.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPJFD firefigther and Special Operations Team member Tim Simmons has co-chaired the Polar Plunge annually with PJ Recreation Director John Faggione. Simmons thanked each even sponsor and participant as he offered some pre-plunge instructions.
PORT JERVIS, NY -- Port Jervis Fire Department hosted its sixth annual Polar Plunge at West End Beach on January 11, 2025. The Delaware River temperature was listed by the National Park Service as 32-degrees in the Port Jervis area as 69 swimmers entered the water via a path cut through the icy river.
The Polar Plunge is co-hosted annually by PJFD and the Port Jervis Recreation Department. All funds raised benefit PJFD’s Special Operations Squad, which in turn contributes toward lifeguard certifications needed in advance of summer swimming season at the beach.
Snow was falling as PJFD firefighters and Department of Public Works crews prepared firepits and wood stacks to keep participants warm, heated tents, music and other amenities early on Saturday morning. While last year’s Polar Plunge took place in unseasonably warm January temperatures, the air was 28-degrees as firefighters marked a perimeter and used chainsaws to remove ice from the river area used for this year’s plunge.
Some firefighters not only helped prepare the beach and water, but braved the swimming aspect, also. One was Matamoras, PA Mayor Cory Homer, an active neighboring fireman who has completed the local plunge in all six of its years. Another was PJFD’s 1st Assistant Chief Anthony Fuller, who traded his rescue gear for swimming attire during the plunge part of the event, as he has each year. PJFD Chief Keith Brown was stationed in the river with fellow Special Operations Team, keeping close watch on those taking to the water the event. PJFD 3rd Assistant Chief Jeff Lewis joined many other company members with assistance offered on shore.
Lindsay Imhold, a repeat plunge participant, attended with her six-year-old daughter Victoria and husband William. William Imhold was one of Port’s firefighters assisting in keeping the beach firepits roaring. Lindsay said she was glad to return this year knowing what to expect. She plans to return next year.
For most, it was a fun event for a great cause. Chip Estenes, dressed as a loggerhead turtle and carrying a sign explaining this turtle species’ lifestyle and habitat, praised the community’s all-volunteer fire department and skilled responders. Last year he was dressed as a penguin, and has participated in all six years representing and teaching about varying water-based wildlife.
“Our firefighters do not have to do what they do, but they do it without question and without pay. I can’t say enough about the men and women of our local fire departments,” Estenes said.
That feeling between firefighters and the community they serve is mutual, according to PJFD Firefighter Tim Simmons, 1st Lieutenant of PJFD’s Water Operations Team and co-chairman of the Polar Plunge with Recreation Director John Faggione. Both chairmen praised the support of all involved.
“The best part is the community involvement. It’s good to see all the participants have fun while supporting us,” Simmons said.
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