Water Safety Challenge Coin Program

A recipient of the Water Safety Challenge Coin, Ms. Alex Wrona, assisted in the translation of important water safety messaging into Polish.

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What is the Water Safety Challenge Coin?

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Challenge Coin was created in 2022 to recognize and reward visitors and members of the local community who go above and beyond by improving water safety or by saving a life. Although not exclusive to the government, challenge coins have a long-held tradition with service members and government leaders, being awarded during special events or to recognize excellence and hard work.

On average, 2 drownings occur each year on the Upper Delaware, and together as a river community, we can improve water safety while ensuring everyone can continue to safely enjoy the exceptional recreation opportunities the river has to offer.

What are the Criteria for the Water Safety Challenge Coin?

Water Safety Challenge Coins will be awarded to individuals, organizations, or teams which perform a specific action or complete a project that:

• Positively affects safety on the Upper Delaware River and/or the Water Safety Program
• Examples include but is not limited to: a lifesaving attempt, emergency response efforts, improving safety on the river (i.e. removal of hazardous object), or any act in preventing visitor injury.
• Water Safety Challenge Coin nominations should be submitted in a timely manner but no more than six months from date of the action.

 

Nomination Instructions and Process

To submit a nomination, please click the application link below. You will be prompted to then fill out an email form. Please fill out the form following these instructions:

• Email address: Please provide your email address (the person who is submitting the nomination).
• Subject Line: Please type "Water Safety Challenge Coin Nomination"
• Category: Select "Safety"
• Address: This is optional. However, if you do not provide an address, we may request one later if the nominee is awarded a water safety challenge coin and chooses to have it mailed to them.
• Your Message: Please provide the following information:
  • Name of Individual/Organization/Team being nominated.
  • Date the Water Safety Act was done, or if it was a multiple-day event, project, etc. the last day of the event or project.
  • In less than 500 words, please describe the Water Safety Act done.

APPLICATION LINK

Decision Process

Water Safety Challenge Coin nominations will be reviewed by the Water Safety Committee. Water Safety Challenge Coin recipients must receive a majority vote.

 

Frequently-Asked-Questions

Can I nominate myself or my own organization?

Yes! Individuals are welcome to nominate themselves or their own workplace, organization, etc. as long as the criteria for the water safety action are still met.

Can I submit multiple nominations?

Yes, one individual or organization can submit multiple nominations as long as the nominations are for distinctly different water safety actions.

Is there a deadline to submit a nomination?

Applications for the Water Safety Challenge Coin are accepted on a rolling-basis, year round.

When are winners announced?

Since applications are submitted and reviewed on a rolling-basis, Water Safety Challenge Coin recipients will be notified within 6-8 weeks of their application being submitted.

In addition to Water Safety Challenge Coin recipients being announced and recognized through Upper Delware Scenic and Recreational River, winners will also be invited to an annual recognition event.

All applicants, even those whose nominations ultimately do not receive a Water Safety Challenge Coin, may be contacted by park staff for the nominee and their water safety action to be highlighted on park social media.

 

Past Upper Delaware SRR Water Safety Challenge Coin Recipients

• 2022 - Ms. Corrine Hinton, for the development and design of new water safety messaging graphics to be used throughout the river corridor.
• 2023 - Mr. Frank Salt, for dismantling and removing a rusty trailer from the riverbed near his property.
• 2025 - Ms. Flor Blum, Mr. Alvin Leung, Mr. Michael Portnov, Mr. Achim Kopp, and Ms. Alex Wrona for translating water safety messaging into Spanish, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Russian, German, and Polish respectively. The translated water safety messages will be provided to liveries and other commercial enitities on the Upper Delaware River as a resource for non-English speaking river users.

 

Ms. Hinton stands with the water safety posters she designed.

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Mr. Frank Salt receives the water safety challenge coin.

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