Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-February 11, 2009 Issue

Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • February 11, 2009 Franklin Lakes Borough OEM urges emergency training by Frank J. McMahon A training course for all area residents who want to learn about handling disasters and emergencies is being offered at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Complex located on Campgaw Road in Mahwah, according to Police Lieutenant Donald Osenbruck, deputy coordinator of emergency management for the Borough of Franklin Lakes. Osenbruck urged Franklin Lakes residents to attend the course, which is being offered at no cost, and he advised that the classes will extend over seven consecutive Wednesday evenings starting March 4 and ending on April 22. Classes will begin at 7 p.m. and end at approximately 9 p.m. on each of those evenings. The classes will include instruction in disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, disaster ﬁre suppression, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization, and terrorism awareness. Last November, the Franklin Lakes Community Emergency Response Team held similar classes at the Bender Court Fire House for new members who wanted to learn about handling disasters and emergencies. About 26 residents with varied backgrounds attended those classes. Osenbruck explained the value of the CERT concept by pointing out that people learn basic ﬁrst aid and ﬁre suppression so that even if there is a ﬁre in their own homes they can immediately react to it in a proper manner. In the case of a disaster, he said the more people who are trained, the more of a help they are to the emergency services in the borough. Mayor Maura DeNicola praised Christopher Pontrelli, a former US Navy jet pilot, who is the borough’s ofﬁce of emergency management coordinator, and Osenbruck, a senior member of the borough’s police force. “They have done a tremendous job working together over the last year updating the Franklin Lakes OEM plan, getting community members involved and trained in OEM, and developing a successful local CERT program which attracted volunteers from Franklin Lakes as well as many local towns,” DeNicola said. “The graduates of CERT recently received their certiﬁcation from the county at a ceremony at the Police and Fire Academy in Mahwah and we are currently soliciting volunteers for a second training program to begin in the spring.” The CERT concept was developed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department, which recognized that citizens would very (continued on page 23) Our hat’s off to the Wyckoff family YMCA, Franklin Lakes Physical Therapy, and Warren Point Presbyterian Church, for their recent contributions to our families. Prosperity lives in the act of generosity; it does not live in fear. With many being touched by the economy, there is a fear that we have not seen the worst yet. All the talk of hard times spreads fear. As that goes, people spend less money, banks are not lending, and more contraction occurs. What is a person to do? Each of us can have an inﬂuence and impact on the organizations, businesses, and people around us by giving of ourselves. By helping others, we do empower those in a less fortunate set of circumstances. By contributing money, we keep the monetary circulation going, and that keeps everything in play in our world at large. I’m not asking people to give something they don’t have, but I am saying we should expand the good will. This is the very last chance to involve your group in this Valentine’s Day season. Consider a fundraiser or a food collection in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. You can donate any foods that are pink or red or have that color label on them. We have a big need for nutrient drinks, like Pedia-Sure and Ensure, that our kids use because they have some difﬁculty with the effects of chemotherapy. Emmanuel asks ? Ca n Yo u Hel p We have new families that have signed on for our services and requests for food from our families have doubled since May of last year. Some of their needs are: Pathmark, Shop-Rite, and A&P grocery store gift cards. Your contribution helps the family’s tight budget stretch a little more. Please keep donating those Pull-ups (size 4T-5T) and GoodNites brand diapers (for a person of 38 pounds) for fouryear-old girl named Allie who is suffering from a aftereffects of Wilms tumor and surgeries that have left her with no ability to control her urination function normally. She is a sweet little girl living with her single mom in a basement apartment. They are barely keeping their head above water, and do so with your support. If you want to help Allie, contribute to Emmanuel Cancer Foundation’s Family Financial Assistance program. Allie and her mom thank you and hope for your continued generosity. Call us at (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Please do not leave items at center without checking with us ﬁrst. Our storage space is limited. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 to 5. Our address is 174 Paterson Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Our website is www.emmanuelcancer. org. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! �� All sponsorship is 100% tax deductible. Every participant will receive an AD Book. Thank you in advance for your support and participation. Midland Park Fire Department 100th Anniversary Book Business Name: ______________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________________________________ Phone: Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________ Full Page - $500.00 Half Page - $250.00 Quarter Page - $125.00 Business Cards - $50.00 ATTACH GRAPHIC PRESENTATION Personal Comments: __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Please make Check out to: MPFD Midland Park Fire Department • P Box 51 • Midland Park, NJ 07432 .O.