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Volunteer Guidelines: Thank you for your dedication to Savannah. Your well-being and enjoyment are important to us. All volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a safe, courteous and legal manner while participating in activities on City property or right-of-way. All volunteers must please follow the following guidelines when volunteering to keep drains clear of debris:
Safety
- Wear highly visible, brightly colored or reflective clothing to alert traffic and drivers
- Please contact 311 Savannah (dial 311 or submit online) to report any storm drains which appear to be broken or otherwise damaged
- Do not go into storm drains and do not block travel lanes
- Cross streets at signals or crosswalks, not mid-block.
- Wear durable or heavy, closed toe, shoes/boots, preferably with ankle support.
- Wear gloves and durable pants, tops, jackets, and hats. Keep hydrated.
- Collect the debris from the sidewalk and stay out of the road whenever possible.
- Work facing traffic.
- Use a rake, shovel or other tool to remove material from the storm drain, NOT your hands. Do not use power tools. Carry tools carefully to avoid hitting others. Always use the right tools for the job.
- Be aware of your surroundings, make sure to watch for cars; whenever possible, work with a partner who can watch for traffic hazards while you are cleaning the storm drain.
- Never attempt to clear debris if there is moving water greater than knee deep.
- Be cautious when walking on potential slippery and uneven surfaces.
- Wash hands and any clothing after contact with stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants, including bacteria. Have first aid supplies available.
- Call 911 for emergencies.
Debris Removal
- Never touch hazardous or medical waste (including syringes).
- Always sweep, rake or shovel glass. Never pick up sharp objects with your hands
- Please, report illegal dumping of waste or pollutants to the Savannah Public Works Stormwater Program (651-2221)
- Only pick up debris that is on top of the drain. Do NOT enter or reach inside drain to retrieve trash or debris.
- Do NOT remove the grate cover from the storm drain opening
- Use a broom to sweep up remaining sediment or debris around the drain
- Do not leave debris near the drain or on the green belt, please dispose recyclables, organic waste (if free of trash) and garbage into home recycling, compost or refuse containers. If the volume of material is too large to transport back to your home, please call the Stormwater Program and we will make arrangements to pick up the debris.
- Please contact the Savannah Public Works Stormwater Program (651-2221) to report any storm drains which are full inside with debris and need mechanical cleaning to remove debris from bottom of drains
General Conduct
- Always be courteous to fellow volunteers and City employees.
- Never use vulgar language or engage in threatening or disruptive actions.
- Never make unauthorized changes to City property or right-of-way, including landscaping.
- Keep foreign mulch and soils off City property and right-of-way, unless pre-authorized by the Stormwater Program.
Note: The City reserves the right to immediately withdraw support for any volunteer if, at the sole discretion of the City, the volunteer’s conduct while participating in volunteer activities on City property or right-of-way is determined to be inconsistent with these Volunteer Guidelines or violates any local, state or federal law.
- I herbey acknnowledge the terms and conditions and waive all liability from the adoption of storm drains.
I hereby state that I am voluntarily participating in the City of Savannah’s Department of Public Works’ Adopt a Drain volunteer program and that I am 18 years of age or older. I have carefully read this agreement, and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this contains a release of liability and I am signing it of my own free will.
I have read, understand, and agree to follow the Volunteer Guidelines on safety and debris removal stated above. I hereby grant permission to the City of Savannah to use photographs of me taken during this activity on its website and in other publications, at the City’s sole discretion and without any consideration.
I also agree that I will notify Savannah Public Works immediately via the Adopt-a- Drain website if, at any point, I wish to discontinue my service as an Adopt-a-Drain volunteer.
I understand that as a volunteer I control the dates and times when I do the work and that the City is not responsible for scheduling my volunteer work or monitoring my compliance with the guidelines.
I also affirm that I am receiving no compensation or other consideration for my participation and that I have read, understand, and freely and willingly agree to the release and hold harmless provisions stated below.
I acknowledge my participation in these events does not come without the risk of injury or harm. As to my relationship with the City of Savannah I accept this risk, and assume responsibility for all liability and risk associated with my participation. I am aware that my participation may require me to stand, lift or carry heavy objects or objects that may cause injury for periods of time.
I understand that this activity will require me to exercise reasonable care to avoid injury, including care in how I transport debris or walk on uneven or potentially slippery surfaces.
I understand that some of these risks might include injury from cars, illness, danger from crossing streets (cars and other vehicles), using handle tools, and other miscellaneous activities I may engage in while cleaning storm drains.
I understand that these activities may occur in all weather conditions and at all hours of the day. I understand and acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in this activity with the knowledge of the hazards and potential dangers involved and agree to accept any and all risks of personal injury and property loss or damage.
With full knowledge and understanding of the above, I, and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and all of my family members, hereby agree to hold harmless, release, waive and forever discharge the City of Savannah, its employees, departments, officers and agents, from any and all claims or demands I may have by reason of any accident, illness, injury, loss, destruction or damage to property, arising or resulting directly or indirectly from my participation in this activity, whether or not it arises from the negligence of the City in its construction, maintenance and repair of the stormwater system.
I, and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and all of my family members, further promise not to bring any legal action against the City of Savannah, its employees, departments, officers and agents, for any injury, loss or damage resulting from my participation in this activity, whether or not it arises from the negligence of the City in its construction, maintenance and repair of the stormwater system.
This Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release is contractual and not a mere recital and applies whether or not injury or loss resulting from this activity is caused by an act or omission of the City, its employees, departments, officers or agents, negligent or otherwise.
This Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release is binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and all of my family members, and applies to all losses, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, related to my participation in this activity.
- By selecting this box I acknowledge all of the above and accept all conditions.
Signature: _______________________________________