September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 The Township of Wyckoff has adopted a resolution to authorize the formation of a Community Emergency Response Team, and is now recruiting volunteers. Wyckoff Emergency Management Coordinator/Police Lieutenant David V. Murphy is looking for residents who are interested in protecting themselves and their families during emergencies, and want to become involved in planning and preparing for potential threats from natural disasters or acts of terrorism, to become part of Wyckoff CERT. The CERT program is a national initiative that helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies occur, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with the non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. The events of Sept. 11, 2001 will never to forgotten; 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 through the Citizen Corps Program, of which CERT is a part. In an emergency, CERT members might assist with the evacuation of schools, help with shelter operations and the disbursement of medications during a bioterrorism incident, aid the ambulance corps during a mass casualty incident, or help law enforcement with traffic control. All volunteers must pass the CERT training course, which is taught at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute at 215 Campgaw Road in Mahwah. The course lasts eight successive evenings. The classes are held from 7 to 9 p.m. and there is no cost to those who attend this course. Township forms Community Emergency Response Team The course provides interested residents with basic training in first aid and what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Training consists of approximately 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 operations, psychology, light search and rescue operations, team organization, and terrorism. Participants will learn about the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities, their role in an immediate response, and how to identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces. They will work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid. They will learn techniques to open airways, control bleeding, and treat shock. They will also employ basic treatments for various wounds and learn common techniques for searching a building and how to use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication. To become a CERT member, a person must be at least 18 years of age and must possess a valid driver’s license. Once the training course is successfully completed, CERT personnel will receive a certificate and a “Ready Bag” that contains a helmet, reflective vest, gloves, and a flashlight. Classes will start on Monday, Oct. 8, and will continue through Monday, Nov. 26. Interested Wyckoff residents are invited to contact Lt. Murphy at (201) 891-2121 or e-mailing LTMURPHY114@yahoo.com to obtain an application. For details about CERT, visit http://www.citizencorps. gov/cert/index.shtm. Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox has urged township residents to plan and use alternate routes of travel if they use Brookside Avenue in Allendale as a commuter route. That area is slated for an eight-month shutdown due to bridge construction. “Barricades at the intersection of Brookside Avenue and Crescent Avenue in Wyckoff will notify motorists of the road closing in Allendale and direct them to a posted detour route,” Chief Fox said last week. “Motorists must follow the posted detour to access Allendale past Macintyre Lane. Detour signs will be posted on Wyckoff Avenue, and motorists must stay on Wyckoff Avenue and travel into Mahwah for additional detour signs that take them around the closed area.” The chief said Wyckoff residents will continue to have Motorists urged: Plan alternate routes access to all homes on Brookside Avenue and its adjacent streets. The Brookside Avenue roadway in Allendale itself will be closed days, nights, and weekends through April of 2013, according to Bergen County, which is handling the bridge reconstruction. Brookside Avenue is a county road, Bergen County Route 101, and the work is being done at Bergen County’s expense. Mayor Vince Barra of Allendale was able to convince county officials not to start the work the week that school opened, since routes to the local schools are already impacted by the installation of the new traffic light at West Crescent Avenue and Myrtle Avenue. J. KOSTER