By Laws

June 5, 2007
Revised July, 2010

ARTICLE 1

NAME

  1. The name of this organization is the Quad City Cert, formed June 3, 2003 for the communities of Seven Hills, Independence, Brooklyn Hts., and Valley View (Ohio).
  2. CERT as used in the name of this organization stands for Community Emergency Response Team .

ARTICLE 2

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

  1. The aims and objectives of this organization is to assist Local Emergency Services in any and all emergencies, and to assist the general public in such emergencies as trained.
  2. To train, educate, and inform the public regarding Emergency Preparedness.

ARTICLE 3

AREA AND MEETINGS

  1. Quad City CERT area is defined as:
    • Brooklyn Hts., Independence, Seven Hills, and Valley View (Ohio).
  2. The location of business and general meeting shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  3. The Executive Board may recess to Executive Session whenever needed.

ARTICLE 4

MEMBERSHIP

  1. Entry into the Quad City CERT program requires that each person fill out and sign both an Application and Waiver. Submitting an Application does not guarantee admittance to the next scheduled class. If the persons Application is accepted, they will be entered into the Quad City CERT database and informed of the upcoming classes.

  2. A Quad City CERT “Member” is defined as:
    • A person currently residing in one of the Quad City CERT communities (Brooklyn Hts., Independence, Seven Hills, or Valley View, Ohio).
    • A person that has completed the 20 hour CERT Training, as required by FEMA
    • • Having met these two obligations, the member will receive a Certificate of Completion, I.D. Tag (designating trained), and CERT Kit.
    • Proof of residency in the form of a Drivers License may be required at any time.
    • CERT supplies and equipment are issued on the basis of participation in the Quad City CERT area and remains the property of your local safety forces. Should the member move out of the area of these four communities, the member may keep their Certificate of Completion for the training only, all other equipment must be returned to the community in good condition.
    • The approval and termination of a Quad City member is under the authority of the Fire Chief of that community. (Added July 8, 2010)

  3. A Quad City CERT “Reserve” member is defined as:
    • A person currently residing in one of the Quad City CERT communities (Brooklyn Hts., Independence, Seven Hills, or Valley View, Ohio).
    • A person that is in the database, but has not completed the 20 hour CERT Training, as required by FEMA.
    • Reserve members are not eligible to receive a CERT Kit, or Certificate of Completion
    • A CERT I.D. Tag will be issued designating Reserve level of training.
    • Proof of residency in the form of a Driver License may be required at any time.
    • CERT supplies and equipment are issued on the basis of participation in the Quad City CERT area and remains the property of your local safety forces. Should the member move out of the area of these four communities, the member may keep their Certificate of Completion for the training only, all other equipment must be returned to the community in good condition.

ARTICLE 5

GOVERNMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION

  1. GENERAL
    1. The government shall be by the Executive Board placing business on the agenda by the use of motion, and a simple 2/3 majority vote, of those members present, will be needed to approve or disapprove motions.
    2. Monthly meetings are public, and shall be posted on the Quadcitycert.org website. The Executive Board Chairperson or, in their absence, another Executive Board member chairing the meeting, shall have sole discretion over the agenda, and content of the proceedings. Quad City CERT members interested in attending to observe proceedings are welcome to do so. Quad City CERT members interested in introducing information to the Executive Board must contact the Chairperson prior to the meeting to be put on the agenda.
  2. EXECUTIVE BOARD
    1. The Board shall be established to direct activities of the Quad City CERT program for Seven Hills, Independence, Brooklyn Hts., and Valley View Ohio, to control its finances, and to maintain a trained membership.
    2. The Executive Board shall consist of two (2) members from each community. One (1) of those members from each community shall be the Fire Chief. The other member representing his/her community shall be chosen by that community’s Fire Chief. The Executive Board shall appoint an Executive Director, who will also serve as the ninth (9) member of the Executive Board.
    3. The Executive Committee is empowered to appropriate and spend money with a maximum of $250.00 for Quad City CERT. Any amount over $250.00 shall be subject to approval by a majority vote of those members present at a regular Executive Board meeting.
    4. The Executive Board shall appoint a Chairperson, and Vice Chairperson in the month of September each year. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Executive Director shall serve at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD
    1. CERT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
      1. This person is the Quad City CERT Director over the Coordinators from each City.
      2. To act as an liaison to the Executive Board of the Quad City CERT and it's committees.
      3. To hold all rights as a voting member to the Executive Board and the Committees.
      4. To attend regular meetings with the local coordinators to convey the wishes of the Executive Board and relay information from the team to the Executive Board.
    2. CHAIRPERSON
      1. To act as the Chairperson for the Quad City CERT.
      2. To coordinate all activities directly over Quad City CERT Sub-Committees.
      3. Conduct all Quad City CERT and Executive Board meetings and agendas for such meetings..
      4. Work closely with the Quad City CERT Coordinators and to attend their monthly planning meeting when possible.
    3. VICE CHAIRPERSON
      1. To assist the Chairperson with all Quad City CERT direct responsibilities.
      2. To act as Chairperson in the absence of the elected Chairperson in full capacity of that position.
      3. To act in behalf of any Sub Committee Director in their absence to ensure a consistent continuity of the Association.
    4. SECRETARY
      1. To take minutes of all Executive Board meetings and Coordinators Meetings.
      2. Maintain a Data Base of all Quad City CERT training, instructors, and resources of any kind, etc.
    5. FINANCE DIRECTOR
      1. Be responsible for all Quad City CERT funds and maintain an accurate record of those funds.
      2. Disburse all funds as directed by the Quad City CERT Committees and Executive Board recommendations.
      3. Be subject to an audit of all financial records annually, and as necessary upon request of the Board of Directors.
      4. Liaison between Cuyahoga County EMA and Quad City CERT.
      5. An Audit committee shall be established by the Executive Board to perform a annual audit.
      6. An annual assessment will be established and sent to each Community annually
    6. LOCAL COORDINATORS
      1. Reports directly to the Quad City CERT Executive Director.
      2. All local coordinators to meet regularly for the purpose of coordinating regular operational needs among the four communities.
      3. Attend as necessary committee meetings for the dissemination of information to and from the Executive Director.
      4. Maintain open line of communication and consistency between all committees of the four communities.
      5. Local Coordinators as a group shall appoint committees to assist in any and all emergencies.

ARTICLE 6

RULES OF CONDUCT

  1. As an organization formed to assist and train the general public, and to serve Local Emergency Services, the membership of this organization will so conduct themselves in a professional manner, and will not discredit this or any other organization intentionally.
    1. Any member discrediting this organization or any other organization intentionally will become subject to an internal hearing by the Executive Board on the charges made against them. Any criminal charges brought upon the member shall be handled in accordance with the laws of the State, County, or City.
    2. Any member found guilty of charges of misconduct shall be expelled from this organization without any recourse, and the organization or any of its members will not be held liable for any of the charges of the one being expelled.

ARTICLE 7

BUSINESS CONDUCT

  1. Conduct of the Business of this Organization shall be vested in the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 8

BY-LAW AMENDMENTS

  1. When, and if these By-Laws are changed or added to in any way the changes or additions are made by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 9

ACTIVATION

  1. There are three levels of “Activation”
    1. County – Initiated by Cuyahoga County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA)
    2. Quad City CERT – Initiated by one of the four Fire Departments Chiefs.
    3. Community Non-Emergency Events – Initiated by the Coordinator, with Fire Departmental approval.

In the event of an Emergency, as defined by numbers 1,2, & 3 above, Quad City CERT must be activated by a Fire Chief, or their representative.

  1. The Fire Chief activating CERT should notify the other three Fire Chiefs. (Regardless of why, the initiating Fire Chief, or representative, should contact the other three Fire Departments, trying the Fire Chief, or representative first, then the Fire Department.
  2. The initiating Fire Chief, or representative, will also be responsible for contacting the Executive Director for Quad City CERT.
  3. The Executive Director, having received “specific needs of deployment” from the initiating Fire Chief, will be responsible for contacting the Chairperson for the Executive Board and the four City Coordinators.
  4. From the Executive Director’s instruction, (by the Fire Department), Coordinators will determine if a specific group should be activated (ex: Search & Rescue only). And/or if an automated call should go out.
  5. The Chairperson will contact the other members of the Executive Board.

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