Free “Muck-out” and Mold Remediation Training March 12

Huge “Muck-Out Day” March 30 

Hundreds of Bergen County homes experienced severe flooding from Hurricane Sandy.  Some still need tear-out of soggy walls, flooring and other debris to prevent the growth of dangerous mold.

 

Cleaning out can be a daunting – and expensive -- task, especially for seniors and people with disabilities, so volunteers are needed to complete this work.

 

The Bergen County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is hosting a Muck-out Training on Tuesday, March 12th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Central Unitarian Church, 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus.  The goal is to train volunteers to ensure that all work will be done safely, correctly and effectively.  To reserve a spot at the training, call Tess at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, 201-489-9454, Ext. 114, or email ttomasi@bergenvolunteers.org.

 

The instructors for this training will be Dale and Jean Peercy, nationally known as the “Go-to Folks” for rebuilding in long term disaster recovery.  They are construction and volunteer coordinators for Lutheran Disaster Response, and have directed nearly 100,000 volunteers in disasters across the country.

 

The Muck-out Training will cover such topics as how to properly clean out a home after a storm/flooding; health and life safety issues (mold, cleaning solutions, etc.); debris separation, handling and disposal; proper communication and interaction with homeowners.

 

Attendees of the Muck-out training will become Project Leaders for the Bergen Muck-Out Day, on Saturday, March 30th, at various locations in Moonachie and Little Ferry, the hardest hit towns.   Each Project Leader will be assigned a team of volunteers to perform the necessary removal of debris, to allow families to return home without fear of respiratory distress or infection.

 

Hundreds of volunteers will be needed on March 30th.  To sign up, call Dave Skoblar of Project 195 at 1-888-410-5122 or email info@project195.org.

 

Muck-out work is not appropriate for individuals under the age of 18, or individuals with health conditions such as asthma, heart complications or bone/joint pain.

 

The VOAD’s Long Term Recovery Committee is a consortium of community organizations that have banded together to bring relief to residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The group is coordinated by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.