CERT Members Could Bolster Crossing Guard Ranks

The prospect of four township volunteers being trained as crossing guards may allow the school district to hold delayed openings during bad weather.

Township and school district officials have said that several members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) could soon be trained as crossing guards with the ability to be deployed when the need arises—such as when full-time guards are unavailable for school posts outside of regular morning hours.

"They will inflate our numbers as part-time available guards," police Chief Benjamin Fox said. "We can now revisit the issue of delayed openings."

Generally, the school district is forced to use a snow day on any sign of inclement weather, unlike other districts that can wait to see how a storm is developing before canceling an entire day of instruction. Not all of the guards, who fall under the authority of the Police Department, are available should the district want to start classes 90 minutes late, and Fox has been reluctant to post officers at the 16 township crossings.

The district did have one delayed opening this past year after an advance request from former Superintendent Dr. Janet Razze. 

The chief said he has not favored delayed openings because he doesn't want to keep officers from their general duties, especially in inclement weather, when the officers may be responding to incidents arising from poor conditions. Fox said an additional complement of guards could eliminate the need to post police officers and give the district greater leeway when a storm hits.

However, details are still being worked out. The township has been in contact with the district and both hope to resolve the issue in time for the school year.

Lt. David Murphy, who led the formation of the township's first CERT team as Wyckoff's emergency management coordinator, said four of the 35 team members have "shown interest" but would need additional training before manning a post. Although the members of CERT have been trained in traffic safety, the crossing guard volunteers would need to take a one-day, free course at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute before being entrusted with the township's kids.

The volunteers would be a "great supplement" to the crossing guard corps and "another resource" at the Police Department's disposal, Murphy said.

The lieutenant said that while the CERT team members are volunteers, those trained as crossing guards would be paid at the normal rate, $16.50 per hour.

However, the "benefits (to the township and school district) outweigh the pay," said Committeeman Dave Connolly, who approached Fox with the idea.

While the primary thrust of the initiative is to allow delayed school openings, the additional guards could be deployed whenever there's a need, Connolly said.

"If someone calls in sick, we don't need to put an officer out there," he said. "You can't let kids cross without supervision."

Connolly, along with Committeeman Brian Scanlan, is a member of the CERT team and is pleased that the first class has already been a help to the township, handling assignments at Wyckoff Day and the Memorial Day celebrations, for example.

 The committeeman said the team ultimately saves the township money, as they can be deployed in a variety of situations. While members can handle something as relatively simple as traffic control at public events, the members are trained in first aid and disaster response. In the event of an emergency, Murphy could deploy the team to provide vital assistance to police, fire and EMS responders.

Murphy said the current team will be getting a bit more structure soon, with someone appointed as team leader under the lieutenant's authority.

He's also put out the call for volunteers interested in bolstering the CERT ranks. Interested members would receive about 16 hours of instruction over eight sessions at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. To apply, contact Murphy at 201-891-2121 or ltmurphy114@yahoo.com.

 James Kleimann contributed to this report.