Volunteers working for or representing Tri-State CART shall adhere to the following policies.  All CART team members will agree to abide by the rules identified within this document.  Incident Commanders and Team Captains will have authority to deactivate any CART representative for behavior(s) that is contrary to this code of conduct based on their discretion:

   1. Individuals shall project a professional manner and appearance while participating in any CART related activities.  The following will not be tolerated while on site at a disaster, conference or other CART activity:

           a . Consumption of alcoholic beverages while working or any display of  public 
                drunkenness

           b . Possession, use or selling of any illegal drugs

           c . Violation of any laws

           d . Public outbursts, public derogatory remarks about other organizations or
                individuals

           e . Illegal use or display of a firearm

   2. Individuals shall identify operations that are beyond their capabilities based on their experience, training and knowledge, and will provide and carry all professional credentials issued by CART, ServeOhio and/or OVER during activation.  Individuals shall observe all safety rules and regulations and be familiar with proper usage and operation of all equipment.

   3. Individuals shall be expected to accept assignments and/or orders as directed by the supervising authority (Incident Commander, Team Captain, Unit Leader, etc.), or if required, make discretionary decisions based on appropriate intent and good judgment.

   4. Individuals while representing CART will not participate otherwise in operations that serve to promote personal gains or ideologies.

   5. Individuals shall not enter private properties to perform Search And Rescue (SAR) duties without permission from the owner, supervising authority or without a law enforcement escort.

   6. Individuals shall remain in contact with the appropriate authority, and confine their activities to the stated mission and directives of the Incident Action Plan that is stated verbally or defined in writing.

   7. All individuals shall wear current identification, preferably a CART badge or other issued identifier, while on site for a disaster.

   8. Individuals will be required to document or participate in documentation for each rescue in a timely manner, and submit documentation to the Unit Leader.

   9. Individuals shall not transport animals to facilities other than the ones that have been assigned by the supervising authority without permission from the supervising authority.

   10. Individuals shall refrain from taking photographs out of respect of the privacy of the owner.  Any photos that are made will not be used for public display without the expressed written permission of the owner.

   11. In situations in which an animal(s) is rescued and transported from a property without prior permission, individuals participating in such rescue must leave notification of the removal of the animal or disturbance of the property on the property in the most visible area possible without causing damage.

   12. Individuals shall not accept personal gratuities or monetary donations.  Envelopes can be given out that are addressed to the CART Treasurer or their assigned representative.

ALL Tri-State CART Members must sign this additional attached form: Code Of Conduct and mail it to Tri-State Secretary along with their application.  Mailing address is found on the application.