BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF PASCACK PRESS
RIVER VALE, N.J.—One of the most active Pascack Valley grassroots community emergency response teams—the River Vale CERT—was honored Feb. 25 by the Township Council with a plaque to celebrate its 15 years of community service.
At least two dozen CERT members, plus friends, family, and several police officers—including Lt. John DeVoe, Sgt. Peter Martin, both former CERT trainers, and newly sworn Police Chief Sean Scheidle, an original CERT trainer—were on hand at the event.
“Truly the unsung heroes of the Township of River Vale. It doesn’t matter what they’re asked to do, rain, cold—you’re always there; you truly are the glue that holds this town together. I really appreciate all that you do for the township,” said Mayor Glen Jasionowski.
The plaque recognized CERT’s “15 years of service…in grateful recognition of your many years of loyal and valuable service with the River Vale Community Emergency Response Team.”
Jasionowski said the plaque would hang permanently in Town Hall, 406 Rivervale Road.
River Vale Deputy Office of Emergency Management coordinators Bill Peters and and Linda Wayne accepted the plaque from Jasionowski and spoke briefly about the CERT and local efforts.
“We’re honored, humbled and surprised by this recognition from the mayor and council. Your CERT team stands ready to assist in any way we can,” Peters said.
According to Peters, the CERT concept originated on the West Coast decades ago in the wake of natural disasters such as earthquakes. Federal Emergency Management Agency CERT teams began springing from the grassroots here in the Northeast following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The program trains ordinary citizens to care for themselves, their family, their neighbors and their community in the event of a declared emergency. These volunteers help to improve the response and preparedness of the community and the emergency services.
This program is open to all county residents. Training is provided at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute. Members must be at least 18 and pass a nine-night training course, three hours per night, to qualify.
The town OEM is responsible for planning for and coordinating the response to all natural or man-made emergencies that may occur in the borough or within the surrounding areas. The office works closely with local, county, and state officials.
Peters said that although many area CERT programs have faded away, River Vale’s is strong and growing. He said committed members and strong support from the police department and local government are keys to the team’s vitality and value.
He added that members from Hillsdale and Westwood pitch in on the local CERT.
Peters told Pascack Press that only six Pascack Valley towns have CERT teams. (The police departments of Emerson, Montvale, River Vale, the Township of Washington, and Woodcliff Lake list CERT programs on their home pages.)
River Vale’s team—44 volunteers—includes members from Old Tappan, Westwood, and Hillsdale. The youngest on the roster are in their early 30s. The most senior is George Dalcero, 80, one of River Vale CERT’s first members. There are three husband-and-wife pairs, a doctor, and a dentist.
New members are welcome.
Peters said CERT team members assist at events such as football games, 5K races, the Junior Police Academy, and holiday events.
He said members assisted in the a search for a missing autistic child, helped set up a temporary shelter during a major water leak at a townhome community, and are prepared to man traffic barricades in the event of an emergency.
The responders get together regularly for updated training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), radio communications, Naloxone (Narcan) training for opioid overdoses, active shooter situations, and emergency response.
Peters made sure to laud the mayor, council, and police department for keeping the team involved and active.
“They have helped maintain and certainly appreciate the CERT team, and the police department uses us when they need extra help at events and around town. We stay viable because they use us regularly,” he said.
At the council meeting, Council President Mark Bromberg—also a CERT member—said in part, “This is a very active group and was recognized by the state a while back and granted a trailer and got all this equipment because of how active we are and they wanted to send it where it would be utilized the best.”
Bromberg said CERT has “a symbiotic relationship” with the police department. He said CERT members have assisted police with missing-persons searches.
According to Jasionowski, CERT will receive a used vehicle this year to tow the emergency trailer when needed at local events or mutual aid calls. The trailer was awarded to CERT several years ago due to the team’s regular calls, or “activation.”
It includes ladders, tools, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, traffic flares and wands, emergency lights and floodlights, extension cords, a generator, incident command board, and pop-up tent for temporary shelter.
Peters said the local CERT recently gained four new members thanks in part to promotion of the training on the township website and digital sign.