In response to a troubling rise in drownings in Suffolk County, leading experts, advocates and affected families will come together for a crucial Drowning Prevention Roundtable on Tuesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Stony Brook University Hospital (Level 5, Resilience Room) located at 101 Nicolls Road in Stony Brook, NY, to help reduce drownings countywide and keep children and families safer in and around water.
Organized by water safety nonprofit The ZAC Foundation, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital as the Medical Center of Excellence designated by the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Alliance, and water safety nonprofit Stop Drowning Now – with support from several Suffolk County-based organizations – the roundtable’s purpose is to review, discuss and provide feedback on the draft Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan. Additionally, following the roundtable, participants will disseminate key water safety tips and reminders to the public ahead of the July 4 holiday, when drownings tend to spike.
Drownings in Suffolk County increased 60% from 2023 to 2024. Many of these drownings involved young children and occurred in backyard pools.
The Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan will consist of five core objectives:
- improving data and understanding of drowning risks
- expanding public education and awareness
- promoting pool safety among residents
- strengthening the prevention workforce (i.e., lifeguards)
- enhancing advocacy and community outreach
Kicking off the roundtable will be Dr. Jacqueline Bober, DO, Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital; Karen Cohn, Co-Founder, The ZAC Foundation; and Bobby Hazen, Executive Director, Stop Drowning Now, and Founding Member, NY Water Safety Coalition.
Comprising the roundtable will be leading water safety experts and advocates, families impacted by drowning, medical professionals, public health and safety officials, parks and recreation representatives, and school officials – all with the shared goal of preventing drownings in Suffolk County and enhancing water safety for residents and visitors alike.
The roundtable will drive solutions to prevent drowning incidents and propel forward ways that participating organizations can support and begin implementing each of the plan’s five key objectives while also communicating helpful information to specific audiences.
WHAT: Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Roundtable
WHEN: Tuesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stony Brook University Hospital (Level 5, Resilience Room), 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
DIRECTIONS:
LIE to Exit 62. North on Nicolls Road. Cross Nesconset Highway (Route 347). Follow the Hospital signs; turn right onto Health Sciences Drive. Continue to second light and turn left onto the hospital campus. TV trucks may park on the south curb across from the hospital entrance. All others should park in hospital garage.