'Driving Force' Behind Mahwah Emergency Response Program Steps Down

MAHWAH, NJ — The "driving force" behind Mahwah's Community Emergency Response Team for nearly two decades is stepping down, township officials said.

Allan Becker, the founder and coordinator of Mahwah's CERT program, made the announcement at Monday's township council meeting.

Since 2003, Becker has, with "vision and fairness," effectively led the program that administers volunteer training in disaster response, said a resolution recognizing the CERT coordinator's years of service.

Becker is stepping down as coordinator of what, he and other officials said, is one of the top CERT teams in Bergen County, though he is staying on as advisor. He passes the baton to Deputy Coordinator Len LaBarre, whom, Becker said, he has "all the confidence in the world" in.

"I know, under (LaBarre's) leadership, the Mahwah CERT will remain one of the top teams in the county," Becker said.

LaBarre had presented a plaque to Becker at the council meeting after the unanimously passed resolution was read aloud by council president David May.

"Through (Becker's) constant efforts in education and practical training," the resolution said, "he has groomed the Mahwah CERT to be one of the best trained teams in the county."

Becker also, the resolution said, partnered with five other Bergen County CERT programs five years ago, for, he added, he felt as though the Mahwah CERT was not getting enough support on its own.

"It was my pleasure and honor to work with all of the CERT members, and I could not be more proud to be part of the Mahwah CERT," Becker said.

Mahwah CERT's members have assisted the township's first responders, helped with search and rescue, and provided life-sustaining relief supplies "in a centralized location following a disaster or emergency," the resolution continued.

"Mahwah expresses our gratitude for all (Becker) has done and has taught to our community," the resolution said.