Steven W. Mehl, Director of Emergency Preparedness
Steve Mehl has been around Paramus for a long while. He served in the Paramus Police Department for 27 years, retiring in 1997. He has been in Emergency Management since 1992.
The title of Director of Emergency Management sounds esoteric and exotic, but entails a lot of comprehensive work and planning. His department must be ready for any hazard that may present itself. This includes, but is not limited to: snowstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes, fire, terrorism, accidents and catastrophes.
In addition to trying to regionalize these treatments, Steve’s department also coordinates activities between the Police and Fire Departments. The task is made simpler since he also joined the Volunteer Fire Department in 1968.
An example close to home is the flood disaster that happened at the Walter Behnke Senior Housing Complex in January 2004. It was the OEM that coordinated our evacuation and pet safety. They also arranged for the big bus that was outside to keep the residents warm and our evacuation to the Radisson in Rochelle Park. While Mayor Tedesco was here, it was the OEM that did the coordination.
Despite all his knowledge, Steve still took courses to become a Certified Emergency Public Manager. His department offers training courses at the Safety Complex to various police and fire departments, deals in Public Education, safety talks and is available for Health Days.
To encourage knowledge, the complex also offers tours, especially to the school children which include the building and the pistol range as well as visits to the individual schools. In order to defray costs, the building is rented out to outlying town departments.
Steve Mehl is married to Ellen and has two daughters who are in high school and college. He has a passion for quarter horses, the outdoors and camping. Steve and I are alike in that respect!
Greater Paramus News and Lifestyle Magazine
http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/Steven_Mehl