finalCERTA PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF OTSEGO FOR FORMING A COMMUNITY
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of citizen volunteers who are
trained in disaster preparedness for large-scale disaster incidents that may impact their
community, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical
operations.
In addition, the CERT Team proposed would also participate in Community preparedness
communications in the form of information booths, websites and public speaking. The Team
would also assist our Fire Departments at major fires with relief assistance (managing stations
where firefighters take breaks).
It is suggested that the service area of the Otsego CERT Team includ e the service area of our
partner fire agencies, at the discretion of the respective fire chiefs. Legalities regarding liability
to the City will have to be explored, and written agreements drafted.
In addition, it is also suggested that the Otsego CERT Te am work closely with other CERT Teams
in the West and Northwest Metro Area, providing mutual aid and participating in training
opportunities. Again, legalities regarding liability to the City will have to be explored, and
written agreements drafted..
Future considerations might also include assisting residents with smoke and CO detectors,
having members of the team become SKYWARN spotters, as well as other activities that
members may wish to consider, but would not be implemented without City approval.
Federal and State FEMA both have extensive training criteria which would be strictly followed
(see attachments).
The following is the proposed structure of such a team, including policies, meeting structure,
expenses to the City, table of organization, costs, and other considerations.
AUTHORIZED STRENGTH AND SELECTION CRITERIA
The initial authorized strength of the Team will be 15 members, with the goal of maintaining at
least 10 members.
Members will be selected from the community that live or work no longer than 30 minutes
from City Hall. They need not be residents of Otsego.
Members will be interviewed by the Public Safety Commission, and will be selected as to their
understanding of what CERT is . Only those that have a genuine interest in public service will be
selected. Background investigations will be conducted on potential members.
The Job Description can be found on the 4th page of attachment number one (CERT
Introduction and Overview) under “When Disaster Strikes”.
RECRUITMENT
Potential new members will be recruited through the city newsletter, website and local media.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION
The Team will be under the auspices of the City Emergency Manager. The Emergency Manager
will appoint a member of the Albertville Fire Department to be the overseer of the team. From
the Team there will be a Team Captain and a Recording Secretary. The Team Captain will assist
the Fire Overseer, conduct meetings, coordinate training and assist other team members. The
Recording Secretary will maintain Personnel Records that include training hours.
The initial Team Captain will be appointed by the Public Safety Commission to serve a term of
one year. Subsequent Team Captains will be elected by members of the CERT Team, and
consideration will be given to lengthen the time of service. The Team Captain will appoint the
recording secretary. Personnel records will be maintained by City Staff. It is proposed that the
Team Captain be a voting member of the Public Safety Commission, pending Council approval.
COSTS
Training will be conducted by volunteers. Training will be conducted at city facilities or at the
Albertville Fire Department at no cost. The Team will be volunteers, and will perform
administrative duties at no cost. The Emergency Manager has indicated that there will be
additional costs from his office.
The basic start up equipment for a CERT Team member will consisit of a reflective vest, hard
hat, flashlight, basic first aid kit, and a backpack. This equipment can be obtained for 15 initial
members for a cost of no more than $1200.
When members leave the Team, they will be required to return the equipment. Costs beyond
start up would be minimal, although there may be costs associated with replacing lost or
damaged equipment.
ACTIVATION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE
Emergency activation of the Team will be authorized by: the Wright County Sheriff’s Patrol
Supervisor, the Albertville Fire Chief, the Elk River Fire Chief, and the Rogers Fire Chief. Contact
information for all Team members will be given to the dispatch centers of Wright County,
Sherburne County and Hennepin County. Dispatchers will start contacting members. The first
member reached will be given the task of notifying the rest of the team. Future consideration
for pagers and other communication devices will be made. All avenues will be explored to
minimize the time required by the County Dispatchers.
If a mutual aid request asking the Team to leave the service area is made, approval will be
required by the Mayor or the Emergency Manager. (this is subject to legal concerns).
PHYSICAL PLANT CONSIDERATIONS
It is proposed and requested that the Team use the Prairie Center for tr aining and meetings at
no cost, assuming that the meetings meet the criteria for use at no cost. The team also requests
a small area for storage of backpacks and records. If this is not possible, the Albertville Fire
Chief has offered his facilities.
MEETINGS
Meetings will be initially conducted monthly, to include training. The Team Captain will conduct
the meetings using Roberts Rules of Order. The meetings will be open to the public. Minutes of
the meetings will be forwarded to the City Clerk within 5 days. This would be subject to change
if there are any legal considerations.
PROCEDURES AND BY-LAWS
By – laws and procedures will be drafted with assistance from state and county authorities, and
will reflect the outline of this proposal. If the Council tentatively approves the budget and
formation of the Otsego CERT Team, the next step will be to provide Council with procedures
and / or by – laws.