New Jersey’s drowning burden is unique, and so must be our approach to preventing death by drowning in the Garden State. Although the U.S. National Water Safety Plan takes a more global view, this approach is created by New Jerseyans for New Jersey’s residents and visitors.

A collaborative approach to this strategy is essential, given the rich diversity of New Jersey’s aquatic resources. The New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance, along with its members, collaborators, and sponsors, will work towards implementing the priorities identified in this plan. New Jersey will now have a unified voice for the respectful and safe enjoyment of all bodies of water by its residents and visitors.

Six major strategies were identified, each with a defined current state, an ideal future state, and tactics to move forward. These six strategies form the basis for the collective work required to achieve the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance’s mission of reducing drowning deaths by 30% by 2030.

Tragically, many individuals suffer from the loss of a loved one or endure lasting physical and emotional scars. These losses not only have a human toll but also a financial burden for those left behind. Together, we can save families in New Jersey from this experience through the work created by the New Jersey Water Safety Strategy.

You can view and download the entire strategy here.

David is the Founder and President of National Safety Training Center and its predecessor companies – Elite Tactical Academy and Mine Brook Search & Rescue, Inc.  He is  a seasoned business leader and public safety education expert. He currently focuses on running this large training center and keeps active teaching both provider level classes and many instructor level classes.

He holds numerous certifications including:

  • American Red Cross Instructor / Trainer
    • BLS / ALS / PALS
    • Lay Rescuer
    • Lifeguarding
    • Babysitting
  • American Heart Association Training Center Faculty
    • BLS
    • HeartSaver
  • National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Instructor
    • Tactical Emergency Casualty Care
    • Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support
    • Mental Health Resilience Officer
    • Psychological Trauma in EMS Patients

 

David has previously worked as a Red Cross employee in 2 roles:

  • Public Safety Instructor for the Northern VT Chapter – teaching corporate classes for the Red Cross
  • Lifeguard Instructor / Trainer / Educator for the National Association – Teaching the Instructor / Trainer Academies to create new Lifeguard Instructor / Trainers.

 

David lives in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater NJ with his family who are also active in the Public Safety Training / Medical training business. He is a local volunteer Firefighter / EMT, something he has been doing since 1984! David also serves as a volunteer in the US Coast Guard on a specialized deployable communications team.

Dr. Angela K. Beale is an Associate Professor, and Program Coordinator of the Health/Physical Education, Teacher Education  (HPETE) Program, in the Department of Content Area Teacher Education (CATE), in the College of Education, at Rowan University. Dr. Beale Tawfeeq’s belief as an educator and researcher are grounded in her mission of “building bridges to break down barriers” in communities, a trend that was established during her developmental years, via personal, educational,  and physical activity experiences. Dr. Beale Tawfeeq specializes in youth development through aquatic physical activity, curriculum development in health and physical education, and water safety and drowning prevention education in K-12 schools, and community-based organizations. Her recent professional include co-authoring of the most recent National Health Education Standards for the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America, 2024), a contributor and expert reviewer to the United States National Water Safety Action Plan  (2024)She currently serves as a board member and director of education and research  for Diversity In Aquatics (DIA), a non-profit 501 4c organization, whose mission is to educate, promote, and support water  safety and healthy aquatic activities for vulnerable populations, member of American Red Cross, Scientific Advisory  Council, Aquatic Sub Council; board member of the Habitheque Blue and Green Fund, which was formed to promote and  further societal awareness of emerging technologies and techniques for water conservation, ecosystem restoration and  renewable energy, while also providing a vision for scaling these advancements for global impact.