CERT Team Proudly Presents “Jerry’s Trailer”

The New Jersey Department of Emergency Management awarded two CERT team trailers in Bergen County this year, and one was given to the emergency response team in Mahwah.

According to CERT Coordinator Allan Becker, the award was a recognition of the group members’ “extensive training in every aspect.” The group trains residents about what to do in emergency situations.

“We are not firefighters or EMTs, but we can certainly assist them,” Becker said.

The group also performs various other services to the community, such as coordinating the parking at the , providing assistance at the , and hosting public information clinics, like the H1N1 clinic in 2009.

Earlier this year, Mahwah CERT members for four days to help the Red Cross relieve a severe flooding situation. In Mahwah, the team works under the Office of Emergency Management and assists that department as needed.

“We are all volunteers and it’s a group of such great people,” Becker said.

“Everyone is so dedicated.”

At the open of Thursday night’s Town Council meeting, members of the Council officially recognized the receipt of the trailer.

Council President John Roth called the CERT Team Mahwah’s “best kept secret” and thanked Becker and the crew for all of their work and commitment to the township.

The CERT team proudly accepted the recognition, though Becker called it “bittersweet,” as one former CERT member was not there.

“This will forever be known as Jerry’s Trailer,” he said during a speech which dedicated it to Jerry DiNigris, a former CERT Team member who died in November.

“It was a privlige for me to get to know Jerry; he was taken from us suddenly and too soon,” Becker said.

The CERT team in Lyndhurst also received a trailer.