Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • November 18, 2009
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Township recruiting residents for CERT program
by John Koster
The Wyckoff Township Committee had adopted a resolution to encourage residents to serve as Community Emergency Response Team volunteers. Volunteers would be trained to assist law enforcement and ambulance corps members in emergency situations ranging from terrorist attacks to natural disasters or major local accidents. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and own a valid driver’s license. Upon graduation, each volunteer receives a helmet, a flashlight, gloves, and a reflector vest to protect them while they take part in security and rescue missions and drills. “We’re looking for residents who are interested in protecting themselves and their families during emergencies, and who want to become involved in planning and preparing for potential threats from natural disasters or acts of terrorism, to become part of the township’s Community Emergency Response Team,” said Police Lieutenant and Wyckoff Office of Emergency Management Coordinator David Murphy. “The events of Sept. 11 (2001) will never be forgotten,” Murphy said recently. “Also not forgotten is how the spirit of America was awakened that day and citizens came forth to volunteer their services. President George W. Bush harnessed this spirit of volunteerism with the Citizen Corps Program (of which CERT is a part).” At least twice in recent years, Wyckoff has been struck by wind storms drastic enough to knock down dozens of trees and limbs in a single hour, damaging power lines and vehicles. Emergency forces were called out to cope with these episodes, which impacted a large part of the community. In an emergency, Murphy said, CERT members might assist with the evacuation of schools, help with shelter operations, and assist with the disbursement of medications during a bioterrorism incident. The CERT members might assist the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps during a mass casualty incident or help law enforcement officials with traffic control. CERT members are certified after they attend eight successive evenings of twohour courses at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Complex at 215 Campgaw Road in Mahwah, where the training course is offered free of charge to the volunteers. The course will provide interested residents with basic training in first aid and what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Training includes about 16 hours of instruction provided by emergency responders, including firefighters and emergency medical and law enforcement personnel from the community. Topics will include disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical support operations, and psychology. The volunteers will also experience light search-and-rescue operations – including the best way to search a building and how to use safe techniques for removal of debris -- team organization, and response to terrorism. Participants will learn about the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities, their own roles in an immediate response, and how to identify and reduce fire hazards through potential fire suppression strategies. They will learn how to work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, and the resources that can be deployed to extinguish a burning liquid. Medical skills to be taught include opening airways, control of bleeding, treatment for shock, and the basic treatment for various wounds. The Wyckoff Township Committee voted to authorize the CERT group at the first meeting of the month and volunteers are urged to come forward. The volunteers may contact Lieutenant Murphy at the Wyckoff Police Department; phone (201) 891-2121.
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