Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 5, 2013
Township adopts Hurricane Preparedness Week Pledge
by John Koster The Wyckoff Township Committee has adopted a Hurricane Preparedness Week Pledge and urged residents to be ready for storms, such as those that left parts of the township without electricity twice in the recent past. The township committee noted that, while New Jerseyans are stronger than any storm, the state’s residents need to be vigilant and prepare for emergencies. The township committee asked residents to sign up for e-news on the home page of www.wyckoff-nj.com to receive notices of road closings and detours during storms and other emergency communications. The committee members also urged residents to register their cellular phones on the home page of www.wyckoff-nj.com so they can receive emergency messages in the event land line phones fail due to broken lines or power failure. The committee also urged residents to sign up to receive text messages from the Wyckoff Police Department through the home page of www.wyckoff-nj.com at the Nixle text message symbol. Facebook users may click on Wyckoff NJ Office of Emergency Management to receive storm information from the Wyckoff Police Department. Township officials also suggested that residents check weather reports and forecasts on a regular basis and consider buying a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration weather radio.
Residents are urged to work out evacuation plans and post the plans in their homes. Tips about how to strengthen homes and businesses are available from FEMA at www.fema.gov. Police Lieutenant Charles Van Dyke is the township’s emergency management team leader. “One you have pledged and taken action, set an example by talking to your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors on what you have done to prepare for the potential storm and what steps they can take as well,” Mayor Rudy Boonstra said. Residents are also urged to consider volunteering for the Community Emergency Response Team. The snow storm that hit on Oct. 29, 2011 and Hurricane Sandy, which hit on Oct. 29, 2012, left large portions of the township without power for many days.
New date for blood pressure screening
The free blood pressure screening provided by the Wyckoff Ambulance Corps has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 12 from 9:30 to 11: 30 a.m. The screening will be held at the Wyckoff Family YMCA at 691 Wyckoff Avenue. The program will not be held during July and August. Screenings will resume Sept. 4, and will continue on the first Wednesday of each month. Those who wish to be screened must show a photo ID to gain access to the building. Appointments are not required. For more information, visit www. wyckoff-nj.com or call the board of health at (201) 891-7000, extension 304.