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City of Lyndhurst, Ohio
June 21, 2007
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) Meeting
MINUTES

Members of the Lyndhurst C.E.R.T. Executive Board met on Saturday June 21st, 2007 in the first-floor Conference Room of the Lyndhurst Municipal Center.
 
All Team members were present at the meeting with the exception of Captain Isaac who was unable to attend.
 
The meeting was call to order by the Executive Director at 8:35 AM Minutes from the May meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
 
Keith handed out materials he has been developing, one a map of which pinpoints the residence of current CERT members, the other an informational tri-fold flyer that could be distributed at HOME DAYS as a way of promoting our team within the community. Also, distributed was a preliminary version of the updated webpage for CERT, based on that of the Fire Department's.
 
Executive Director's Report - A standardized CERT badge is on the drawing board by the State, however, it could be awhile before they are available to teams. A brief discussion followed with concerns of as how much will they cost, whether the name Lyndhurst would or could be used on a standardized badge, as well as what would be used as identification in the event of emergency now, SELPOD ID, CERT shirts, etc. More discussion is still needed, but will have to wait until more information is available. Keith will follow up. Applications are in for two (2) tables and chairs, a tent, and electricity for our booth at HOME Days. Keith discussed the Breakfast meeting held on June 15th. He noted that valuable input was offered to in the comments made by those who attended. The bulk of which referred to the need for more CERT programs whether they be in the form of refreshers, on-going training, or mock drills. There was some concerned expressed that of the 23 people who attend over ½ were members of the Executive Board.
 
It was felt that if contact and interest are not kept active that those once involved will drop out. As mentioned at the breakfast, the County sends Keith announcements for programs offering on-going training and other informational opportunities on a full spectrum of topics; and we would start to forward those emails to members of the board. He is still in the process of compiling and updating contact information received at the breakfast.
 
HOME Days - Sharon and Joe Briones were asked and have agreed to be chairpersons for the booth. Sharon and Joe, as well as, Mike and Therese have money questions; how much if any has been budgeted for HOME Days? How would it accessed? Will purchases have to be paid for privately and then reimbursed?
 
One suggestion was to make the smoke detectors available and having a sign up sheet for those who may need assistance installing them. Pamphlets on disaster planning are available from ACE Hardware and information on tetanus and hepatitis vaccines are available from the County Board of Health or at the immunization clinics, (at the Community Center on Thursdays), and could be made available to the Community from the booth. Keith asked LaValle to be the point of contact for the educational materials for Home Days and to coordinate with Sharon and Joe. They will meet separately to discuss.
 
Because Friday night is TEEN night, booth will only be open on Saturday and Sunday. Set up will take place either late Friday night or Saturday morning. Sharon and Joe will get a sheet together for people to sign up for shifts at the booth as well as for those who wish to march in the parade.
 
Committee Reports
 
Training - Mike and Therese Dragga - It was agreed that quarterly supplemental and on-going training sessions should be implemented. By doing this we hope to maintain interest and commitment, while keeping skills fresh.
 
Finance -
 
Operations -
 
Recruitment and Outreach -
 
Communications - It has been verified that a ½ page has been reserved in the Fall SELREC book for the team "ad" and will follow up on its inclusion.
 
Fire Dept. Liaison/ Deputy Director - LaValle reported on a booklet put out by Fire Services for First responders. LaValle, met with Ed Eckert, Commissioner of Cleveland EMT, and there are three (3) stretchers available but storage space is still in question (where and how much) for these and other materials. He previewed FREE materials from the Home Safety Council and referred us to their website as a source to order more of the "kits". The information included comes in multiples, is geared towards all ages; and could be used as hand-outs for Home Days. He also suggested we could organize ourselves for home/street searches for missing children or other such emergencies.
 
Old Business - Bill Allen expressed concern over the absence of a CERT budget. His concerns, and those of others, led to a limited budgetary outline. The categories to be considered are:
 
Training: estimates of $1500.00 per class
Advertising/ Publicity:
ID cards:
Permanent equipment:
Incidentals:
 
Home Days: banner, tent, etc. - Pat Spellman will look into and advise.
 
This led to questions of other funding, grants from FEMA and Homeland Security as well as a framework for expenditures.
 
New Business - Gail reported that a publication of Safety Guides for Students is available for churches and schools. She will look into as well as working with CERT member Angela Frato as to see how high school students can become more involved in our activities.
 
IMPORTANT Dates:
 
July 28th - board meeting (this Saturday)
August 18th - board meeting
September 8th -9th - Home Days
September 15th - board meeting and start of next four-week training session
October 13th - board meeting
October 20th - refresher course
November 10th - board meeting
December 8th - board meeting
 
2008
ALL board meetings will be held on the 2nd Saturday of the month
 
January 26th - refresher course
April 26th - refresher course
July 26th - refresher course
October 26th - refresher course
 
The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 AM.