6 events in Passaic County with a date

Passaic weights new tools to prevent river drowning

By: Matt Fagan
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... The deaths of two Garfield children on July 29 [2026] have renewed scrutiny of the Passaic River's hidden dangers, prompting local officials to explore new ways to prevent drownings along a waterway that has claimed lives for generations.
..... As Passaic and Passaic County officials weigh options ranging from additional warning signs and lifesaving equipment to drone-deployed rescue devices, the acknowledged that no single solution can eliminate the risks posed by the river's powerful currents, tilde shifts and unpredictable conditions.
..... "while no single measure can eliminate all risks associated with a natural waterway, we have a responsibility to carefully examine whether additional steps can help prevent something like this from happening again," said county commissioner director Sandiz Lazzara.
..... There are many hazards associated with the Passaic River and its tributaries.
..... Storms, boating accidents and a profound disregard for the river's dangers complicate efforts to prevent incidents or to rescue people unwittingly caught in its deceptively perilous currents.
..... "We are a tidal rive," Passaic Fire Che if Pat Trentacost said. "There are times when the current can run up to 20 knots," or about 23 mph.
..... Moreover, there are two currents. while the surface may appear relatively staid, a faster current can lurk 2 to 5 feet down. There also can be spots with whirlpool-lie currents, the chief said.
..... He said if the tide is coming in and the river flowing out it can pull down both river flotsam and swimmers. Trentacost, who has spent a lifetime near the river, first as a youth and later as a city firefighter, is all too familiar with the river's risk.
..... Around the Gregory Avenue bridge, a whirlpool may be found, he said. whirlpools can also form near riverbanks he said.
..... "I don't care if you are the world's greatest swimmer, it will pull you down," he said. "Nobody has any business being on he river without a life jacket."
...... In his 20 years as fire chief, Trenatacost said, he has pulled at least a dozen bodies from the river, and probably more.

Preventing drownings in Passaic River

..... It may seem obvious, officials said, but the easiest way to stay out of trouble is to heed the warnings. Sayings such as "turn around, don't drown" or "If you can't swim, don't go in" can sound trite, the chief said, but he added that they are sound advice. Unfortunately, too often the warnings are ignored.
..... What many fail to comprehend, officials said, is that the victims place more than their own lives in danger. These situations also endanger the lives of first responders or good Samaritans.
..... In 2021, when the remnants of Hurricane Ida reached New Jersey, a warning to stay off the roads was issued; however, a 70-year-old man form Clifton was driving in Passaic with his wife and son when the floodwaters rose rapidly.
..... The man became trapped in his vehicle, which was eventually overtaken by water. Firefighters were able to rescue his wife and son, but he could not be saved. The rescue attempt, officials said, was called off when it became too dangerous for first responders.
..... During the same storm, a young Passaic couple was swept into the river by raging storm-waters. The same thing happened to a woman in woodland Park. Many of the deaths, including those of the Garfield 10-year-olds, could gave been prevented, officials said.

Possible lifesaving solutions

..... In the coming days, the city's first responders and county and state officials have been invited to meet to formulate a plan to increase safety and reduce the number of tragic river incidents, Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said.
..... "I am sure we will come up with a great plan," Trentacost said.
..... Lora said the group will explore ways to increase signage and patrols along the river's parks and banks, educate the public on water safety, and cerate an arsenal of rescue tools for first responders and bystanders. The safety equipment, Lora said, should also make rescuing less hazardous for the rescuers.
...... after a man suffering form mental health issue jumped form the Market Street bridge into the Passaic River in august 2020 and a city police officer made an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Lora implored the state to add rescue buoys on bridges statewide.
..... "The total cost to do this would be minor compared to the budget," Lora said. "New Jersey has approximately 193 bridges that are at least 100 feet long and appear to cross a major waterway."
..... The cost ranges form 440 to 4300 for each device, not including the cost of a secured cabinet. The cost to place tubes on each of the 193 bridges would be about $57,000. It would be higher with the cabinets and to expand coverage to include boat ramps, lakes, etc., the mayor said.
..... Though the state did not implement the buoys, Passaic did ad the rescue disks to the city's petrol cars and fire apparatus. The caveat is that too often those who get into trouble on the river cannot wait for help to arrive.
..... In the wake of the Garfield children's drownings at Dundee Island Park, which is operated and maintained by Passaic County, the mayor is looking into providing life ring cabinets and ring buoy stations along the various waterways in the city.
..... The Glasdon company manufactures 24-inch and 30-inch life rings in cabinets with easy accessibility for harbors,, beaches, lakes, docks, swimming pools or any open water area. The cabinets, resistants to vandalism and theft, cost several hundred dollars each.
..... Passaic County officials said they, too, are committed to improving safety.
..... It may take some doing, as there are no silver bullets, Lazzara said. Rather, they will have to rely on first responders' advice.
..... "Passaic County is committed to working with the city of Passaic," Lazzara said. "Our public safety partners and other agencies will review the area and evaluate potential improvements, including signage, pubic education, access points, emergency equipment and other reasonable safety measures."

Drones can help save people from drowning

..... A more 21-century solution is drones, which local officials have learned offer an inexpensive and effective way to save people form drowning. they can help with buoy deployments they are not limited by the length of rope.
..... Lora said he is looking at the U Safe, a remote-controlled, self-propelled lifebuoy drown created by a Portuguese company.
..... It retails for 410,500 per unit, said a representative of U Safe. Currently, about 300 fire departments and other first responders have brought or are in the process of buying the drones.
..... Lora said he's looking to purchase some for the city's first responders, Essentially, a drone can be operated by remote control and greatly extend the ability to get a life buoy to victims.

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