Summer 2003 Edition  

Fair Lawn's Emergency Response Team  By Cathy Hochkeppel  A registered nurse, a high school senior, a financial analyst for Morgan Stanley, a 22-year old investigator for a trucking company, a widow in her sixties and a retired marine have one thing in common. They all recently graduated from Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT is a volunteer program sponsored by the federal government whereby individuals are trained to help themselves and their neighbors in a catastrophic disaster. In the event of a large-scale event, emergency services may not be available to everyone immediately and this training covers basic skills that will help save lives and property in a disaster when emergency services are not available. There is a heightened realization that a disaster can strike anywhere due to the events of September 11th, but this training involves preparedness for all different events including floods, blizzards, earthquakes, hurricanes, hazardous material accidents, civil disturbance (riots) and acts of terrorism. Currently, there is a cooperative effort between the communities of Fair Lawn and Paramus spearheaded by Paramus OEM (Office of Emergency Management) Director Steven Mehl and Fair Lawn OEM Director Thomas Metzler coordinated with the NJ Office of Emergency Management to ensure that the required training is provided to its citizenry. Thirty-five volunteers enrolled in the initial joint class and gave up one night a week to attend the program that involves nine three-hour training sessions. The sessions include instruction in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations and first aid, search and rescue operations, disaster psychology and team organization. The initial class was an introductory to one another and an overview of the program wherein Tom Metzler emphasized that there is an important role for each individual in the event of a disaster. The second class began with the election of officers. It was explained to the class that a chain of command and individuals in charge of key functions is a necessity. The class was left on its own to decide who among these 35 virtual strangers they would select. This was the first "practical" experienced by the members as organization and cooperation are keys to success. Three individuals (a Deputy Mayor and two mothers of high school students) took charge of the process. In a surprisingly orderly fashion, the group selected John Migliaccio, a 44-year old Paramus resident and Assistant to the Administrator of Northern State Prison as its Incident Commander. Mark Schwartz was named as Operations Officer, Rosalyn Roimisher as Logistics Officer, Tim Murphy as Finance Officer and Cathy Hochkeppel as Public Information Officer. The rest of the class involved instruction by former Paramus Fire Chief Guy Picone in fire suppression. Members also experienced "hands on" instruction as each individual put out a fire with a fire extinguisher. Volunteer firemen from Paramus stood by and gave further instructions in proper technique to each member. The class received additional hands-on training in first aid and culminated with participation in a simulated search and rescue operation and graduation ceremony at the end of May. If you want additional information regarding the CERT program, call the Office of Emergency Management in Fair Lawn at (201) 794-5390.