September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • 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. 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. 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 disas- Township puts out call for CERT volunteers ter 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. The Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat’s 47th Annual Country Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29. The event will be held at the Wyckoff Municipal Field from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the event of rain, the fair will be held Oct. 6. The day will include rides, food, crafts, vendors, pumpkin painting, scarecrow-making, pony rides, games, entertainment, and more. DJ Bob Kern will provide great music and special activities for the children. This year, a new attraction will be featured: The Ultimate Bake Off.” This competition is for professional and home bakers. Professional bakers are invited to submit their cupcakes for judging. Home bakers will enter their best cookies. The panel of judges will sample the cupcakes and choose a winner. The community will have the opportunity to sample the cookies and cast their vote for the best cookies at the fair. Community invited to Country Fair The judges of the professional bakers’ event will include Amanda Luongo, head pastry chef at the Venetian in Garfield; Rosie Saferstein, food writer for New Jersey Monthly and “Table Hopping with Rosie;” Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips; and Lee Tremble, owner of Iron Horse in Westwood. Information for vendors, volunteers, and bakers is available through ECCR. Contact Kimberly Salles or Marlene Griffin at the ECCR office at (201) 848-8005, info@eccretreat.org, or visit www.eccretreat.org. Proceeds from the fair benefit the residents of the Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat. The ECCR is a nonprofit organization that provides residential services and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. ECCR serves people from all over New Jersey and has facilities in Wyckoff, Hawthorne, North Haledon, and Midland Park.