With A Flash Of Light

With a flash of light, this semester at Rowan University has come to an end. With winter break on the horizon followed by my last semester before graduating in May, I have become very reflective.

In my time at Rowan, I have been introduced to many diverse elements of journalism; however, this online journalism course has been one of the most influential.

I am grateful for the opportunity to not only further grieve for the loss of my best friend, Lee Weisbrod, but also for the opportunity to educate the public on lightning, the underrated killer.

Due to the overwhelming interest in lightning detection and safety throughout Bergen County, I will be continuing my blog in order to further educate and provide information as long as it is available.

While blog posts will not continue two times a week, as per part of my class assignment, they will steadily continue – so continue checking back for the newest information regarding lightning in the Bergen County area.

A Bergen County Update

Numerous mayors, recreation facilities administrators, and town officials have informed me of their plans to install lightning detection or have informed me of existing lightning detection systems.

Here’s a quick update -

• Carlstadt
  Detection will be added soon to local sports fields/recreation areas, according to Mayor Roseman.
• Haworth
  White Beeches Golf and Country Club has had lightning detection for years, according to Max Goree, general manager of the club.
• Mahwah
  The lightning installation process with begin at the town pool and other recreational areas, according to Mayor Martel.
• Midland Park
  Lightning detection is located at Midland Park High School, according to Mayor Monahan.

Mahwah to Join Lightning Initiative

Recently Mahwah placed a bid on lightning detection equipment which will add Mahwah to the growing list of Bergen County towns with lightning protection in place.

The bid for Mahwah’s lightning detection will be awarded November 13 (this Thursday), according to Mayor Richard Martel.

Once the bid is awarded, Mahwah will begin the installation process. The detection systems will be installed at the township pool in addition to other recreational areas.

Check back in the coming days for more information regarding Mahwah’s lightning initiative.

What is Lightning Detection Anyway?

Lightning detection quite simply works by listening for identifying noises on a radio spectrum to determine the strength and ultimately the distance of lightning strikes in the area. The detector uses directional antennas to determine the distance of the lightning. The data is then sent to software that plots the strikes on a map.

The National Lightning Safety Institute released an overview of lightning detection equipment article yesterday. In the article, NLSI stresses the importance of lightning detection systems due to their ability to give notice to shut down dangerous operations before the arrival of lightning. In addition, after lightning the detection gives an “all clear” signal, which is highly influential to the public.

According the NLSI, the available technologies currently include:

1. Radio Frequency (RF) Detectors – measure energy discharges from lightning
2. Inferometers – more precise and require a skilled operator
3. The National Lightning Detection Network
   
4. Atmospheric Field Mill Monitors – measure voltage changes of Earth’s electric field and report changes, which build lightning
5. Optical Monitors - earlier warning, which detects the cloud-to-cloud lightning that occurs before cloud-to-ground lightning
6. Hybrid Designs - combination of other technology designs
7. Subscription Services (such as accuweather.com, intellicast.com, skyview-wx.com, etc.)

North Jersey’s Protection

It’s been a little over two years since the death of Lee Weisbrod and Steve Fagan. Many North Jersey towns saw this has a warning and have worked to install lightning detection systems in hopes of preventing a similar tragedy from happening in the future.

Some towns with lightning detection are:

• Bergen County Public Golf Courses:
  Mahwah
  Paramus
  Ramsey
  Teaneck
  River Vale
• East Rutherford:
  Riggin Field
• Glen Rock:
  Faber Field Complex
• Harrington Park:
  (As of June 2007, the process of looking for an installation company had started.)
• Hillsdale:
  Beechwood Park
  Centennial Field
  Stonybrook Swim Club
  Pascack Valley High School
• Montvale:
  Fieldstone School
  Memorial School
  Montvale Swim Club
  Pascack Hills High School
• River Vale:
  Mark Lane
  (Future plans of installation at the Grove Complex, Range Field, and Roberge Field.)
• Park Ridge:
  (Location not yet determined.)
• Westwood:
  (Location not yet determined.)
• Woodcliff Lake:
  Dorchester School
  Old Mill Park

If your town has detection feel free to comment with town name and lightning detection location.

Detectors to be Dedicated

According to a recent article in The Pascack Press, the lightning detectors that are currently being installed in River Vale will be dedicated to the memory of two lightning victims, Lee Weisbrod (River Vale resident) and Steve Fagan (Washington Township resident).

The dedication, according to River Vale Mayor Joseph Blundo, will occur once the detectors are fully installed and operational.

Currently River Vale has detection at Mark Lane.

The town has hopes of installing more at the Grove Complex, Range Field, and Roberge Field.

Personally as a friend of Weisbrod, the dedication means a lot. It is just another thing that will make him live on forever in addition to lending a hand in saving other peoples’ lives.