July 14, 2025 – Bloomfield, NJ – With the Atlantic hurricane season underway and expected to peak in the coming months, the Township of Bloomfield is taking proactive steps to protect residents from increasingly severe weather events. The Bloomfield Fire Department recently completed Swiftwater Rescue Training for 25 personnel, 21 at the Technician level and four at the Operations level, ensuring the department is well-prepared to respond to water emergencies, including flash floods that are becoming more common due to climate change.
“As extreme weather events become more frequent, Bloomfield is stepping up its preparedness efforts,” said Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell. “Our strategy includes collaborating with the state and other municipalities to form a Regional Flood Mitigation Committee, investing in critical equipment and resilient infrastructure, and ensuring our emergency personnel receive continuous, advanced training. The completion of this rigorous Swiftwater Rescue Training is a key part of that strategy. It equips our firefighters with the skills they need to respond effectively to fast-moving water emergencies and protect our residents. I commend Chief Venezia and the personnel who completed the program, and thank them for their unwavering dedication to public safety.”
Bloomfield Fire Chief Louis Venezia emphasized the importance of combining proper equipment with expert training: “We recently added a Zodiac rescue boat to our fleet, greatly improving our capabilities during water-related emergencies. But equipment is only part of the equation, we need highly trained personnel to operate it effectively. The recent flash flooding tragedies we’ve seen across the country are a stark reminder of how dangerous and fast-moving these events can be. I’m proud of our firefighters who completed this challenging training. They've shown exceptional commitment to enhancing their skills and protecting our residents.”
The Swiftwater Rescue Training program involved more than 40 hours of both hands-on and classroom instruction. It follows a four-phase certification process and meets the rigorous standards set by NFPA 1006 and NFPA 1670, which govern technical rescue operations and training.
With these extra preparedness measures, the Bloomfield Fire Department remains ready to respond swiftly and safely throughout the hurricane season and beyond.