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City of Lyndhurst, Ohio
February 17, 2007
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) Meeting
MINUTES

Members of the Lyndhurst C.E.R.T. Team Executive Board met on Saturday February 17, 2007 in the first-floor Conference Room of the Lyndhurst Municipal Center.
 
Present were Team members: Bill Allen, Gail Brewster, Joe Briones, Sharon Briones, Lavelle Dorsey, Mike, Dragga, Therese Dragga, Keith Packard, Lane Schlessel, Patrick Ward, Melissa Weldon and Firefighter, Captain Dan Isaac. Pat Spellman was unable to attend.
 
The meeting was called to order by Executive Director Keith Packard at 9:05 a.m. Minutes from the January 27 meeting were reviewed and accepted after correcting the spelling of Therese's name.
 
Committee Reports:
 
President's Report - Keith is in the process of contacting other area groups and working to organize the Cert members.
 
Training - There is a need to expand the area of interest. It was decided those under the age of 16 will be allowed to go through the training, but would be restricted as far as assignment. The Lyndhurst Neighborhood News mailing is one way of reaching new recruits Melissa will look into. Mike and Sharon are looking into background checks for CERT applicants and members. Captain Dan will investigate this in detail. After discussion, it was decided that the next class would be scheduled for a 5-week session beginning April 21. We will aim for a class size of 20.
 
Finance - October 2, 2006 a grant for $5,000 was received from the Legacy Village Lyndhurst Community Fund. $ 2870.76 was spent to purchase 50 "kits" and for the duplication manuals, and misc. CERT materials. We have a current balance of $1347.04. We have 15 useable "kits" left from the original 50 for the next class. Discussion was held and it was agreed that there is a need to apply for another grant. Mention was made that grant applications are available on the City website and that the filing deadlines are March 31 and September 30 respectively. It was agreed that we would apply for a grant and that the City would act as fiscal agent at least for the time being. Keith was going to research other available funding sources.
 
Operations - Sharon and Joe expressed concerns for a better storage area; one other than Captain Dan's bed even though group was assured it is only in use once every 3 days. The storage area needs to be accessible; but at the same time secure. Storage near the dispatcher was suggested as one possibility although further investigation is needed, as security of Fire Department medical supplies is also concern.
 
Recruitment and Outreach - Bill has compiled a list of community groups including scouts, service personnel, community organizations, churches, the Masons and others. He will address enlisting applicants once the dates are set for next class. (April 21 - May 19)
 
Communications - Melissa distributed Disaster Preparedness pamphlets at the beginning of the meeting and announced that additional copies are available free of charge from the ODPS ( Ohio Department of Public Safety) website, and that there are approximately 300 more at the Community Center, which are made available to the public regularly. Melissa will contact the Sun Messenger, SELREC and other media regarding the inclusion/publication of CERT information.
 
City Hall - Pat Ward thanked Keith for his report on the Cert team status at the recent Council meeting. It was announced that there will be a Council Coffee on April 21 and that he hope to have CERT presence.
 
Fire Liaison - Captain Dan will check on identification tags and background checks. He distributed sign up forms for registering for the upcoming SELPOD inoculation drill. He reported that approximately 500 volunteers (CERT'S from South Euclid and Lyndhurst as well as other Community volunteers) would be needed. Since, Police and Fire will be engaged elsewhere, CERT leadership will be important. He outlined the nature of dispensing the vaccine, the structure of transportation and the overall operations needed for the drill to be successful. He also reported that there would be additional planning meetings needing representation. Pat Ward and or Melissa Weldon have agreed to attend pending their schedules.
 
Old Business - Two mission statements for the Team were reviewed; one was amended and proceeded to be adopted. Work continues on the by-laws and charter.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m., after setting the next meeting for Saturday March 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the Municipal Center Conference room. Members were advised that next meeting could last at least one and one half hours.