Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 10/5/10

Good morning, here is the news:

*****MIRA MESA*******

October Team Meeting—This Sunday, 10 October 2010.  Let's start at four and break at five.  At our rally point in the Community Park near the Rec Center, on New Salem just east of Camino Ruiz.  We'll probably take over one of the picnic tables.  It's likely to be a little cool, so plan accordingly.  I know how you all JUST LOVE meeting at our rally point, but I think we need to do it at least four times a year in different seasons so we can experience the place.  Bring a chair to sit on (or a blanket to lie on, hey, I don't care, just don't go to sleep on me).  We'll have a short administrative meeting, bring your questions, if I don't know, I'll find out.  Bring Your BackPack, equipped the way you would have it if you were called out to support the effort during a wildfire.  I try to remember to go through mine periodically, but it's tough.  Let's share what we put in our packs with each other and swap some fresh ideas.  Considering the weather over the next few days (rain) a big wildfire season seems less likely now, but let's all remember it was over 100degrees just over a week ago.

Telephone Activation Drill—We'll have a drill call-out this Thursday at 5:00.  You will be contacted by me, Stewart Migdal or Chris Marcucci (thanks Stewart and Chris for helping out with this).  You don't have to be home, but you do need to have an answering machine that runs and that you will access some time that evening.  We will give you a canned message with all of the important details for a call-out.  Please be able to repeat those details to me should I call you and ask.  You do not have to go anywhere, this is strictly for testing the telephone tree.  This is our first drill in awhile, so please be patient, there will be some bugs.  If you have an issue, please contact me directly and we'll work it out, don't harangue Chris and Stewart.

*****BATTALION 5*******

Continuing Education, Regional CERT Exercise—Saturday, 9 October, 8am-3pm.  At Stu Segal Studios, 4705 Ruffin Rd. San Diego.  This is still open.  This is a County training exercise, good chance to meet some of the other CERT Teams.  We really don't know what we are getting, but I'm sure it will be useful.  Hey, it's training, training is good, sure it's pretty much a whole Saturday, what, you'll be less busy as the holidays approach?  Get in on this.  The County provides lunch, how can you lose?  Sign up on the web site and download a copy of the flier:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Continuing+Education+Opportunities

NOTE—I got my notification a few days ago, if you are signed up for this and did not receive a confirmation, contact your Team Leader today!  See you there.

SDFD/Komen Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts— We have the opportunity to purchase these t-shirts for only $10 ($20 to the public) but you need to act now.  Here is a web page where you can see pictures:

http://www.sitetuneups.biz/CERT/t-shirts.html

of the shirts.  If you want some of these, go to:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Team+Trainings/Activities

AFTER YOUR LAST NAME, enter the number, size and colors you want.  Then send your check, made out to Local 145, to:

San Diego CERT

1010 2nd. Ave., Ste. 400

San Diego, CA 92101

Any check received in the office after 8 October will be returned, so do this now if you want these shirts.

Academy 24 Final Drill Volunteers—We still need people to help out with the drill.  Drill is on Saturday, 6 November.  Time listed is 7:00-1:30, but if you can't be there the whole time, we might be able to use you anyway, send your Team Leader a note and let him/her know when you might be available.  Go here:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Team+Trainings/Activities

to sign up.  This is volunteer hours only, it does not count as a CE or a Team Meeting.  It is, however, a really great opportunity to meet people from other teams.  These are the folks you will probably be working with if we get called out in support of a wildfire effort.

Occasional Rant—Checked your Go-Pack Lately?  Fresh batteries for the radio? How about that headlamp or flashlight, fresh batteries there?  New granola bars?  How long has that bottled water been there?  Have you jammed a few things in there you don't actually need, like the hat you got at the Julian drill, and the four extra lanyards for your DSW?  Take a look, it's time, trust me.

That's all for this week, questions or comments talk to your Team Leaders, let's keep the communications going.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 9/28/10

Good morning, here is the news:

*****MIRA MESA***********

October Team Meeting—10 October is a Sunday.  Let's meet at our rally point, near the gazebo next to the Rec Center on New Salem Drive, just East of Camino Ruiz.  I think we'll have a short administrative meeting, then we'll run at least one ICS scenario.  Plan on starting at 3:00, unless a whole bunch of us want to do the morning instead, I'm flexible at this point.  Bring a Lawn Chair, blanket, or whatever works for you.

Telephone Tree—We have had one volunteer drop out (moved out of the area).  This involves calling about 7 people and precisely relaying a message that will be given to you.  Please let me now if you can do this, it will really help us out.  One way or the other, I am going to distribute the list by the end of this week.  We will have a practice drill early next week.  When we have that set up, we'll start working on texting.  I have mixed feelings about the texting, while it is very effective, and may still run when other communications are down, I know quite a few of us have to pay for it.

Mira Mesa Town Council—I have attended the last two meetings.  It's pretty amazing, small town committee government is alive and well and functioning just fine thanks.  The next one is this Monday, starting at 7:00 in the Verne Goodwin Senior Center.  Schools are the main topic, School Board member John Lee Evans and Superintendent Angela Bass will be there.  They typically take write in questions from the audience.  Discussion can be lively.  Feel free to join me.

******BATTALION 5**********

Training Hours Due—Don't make life hard on your Team Leader (and me) by waiting on this.  You are personally responsible for turning in your hours each month.  I don't care if your Team Leader sat next to you at whatever you took, turn it in anyway.  A submission has to include date, time, location, actual title of the class, and number of hours.  When you attend a class,  be very sure that you sign-in, and if they have a completion certificate for a Red Cross or other approved course, get one.  Program participation is very important to us as we justify funding for our programs and training.

DSW Applications are due—No kidding, this is it for this batch.  If you think you are up for a new card or a renewal and you have not been in contact with your Team Leader, DO THAT TODAY.

Continuing Education, Regional CERT Exercise—Saturday, 9 October, 8am-3pm.  At Stu Segal Studios, 4705 Ruffin Rd. San Diego.  Amazingly, this is still open.  This is a County training exercise, good chance to meet some of the other CERT Teams.  The County provides lunch.  Sign up on the web site and download a copy of the flier:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Continuing+Education+Opportunities

NOTE—I don't think the County has notified anybody yet, but we can probably assume that everyone who signed up on the web site so far has been registered.  At some point, they should fill up, and even if you registered on the site, you still might not get in, so if you are thinking about doing this one grab a spot.  I'll see you there, it's my turn to get a little training in.

Occasional Rant—Thanks to all who participated in our Haunted House Search and Rescue Drill last week, I hope you learned something new.  I learned quite a bit, even thought I just stood around and waved my arms.  One thing in particular I want to talk about today, something Brian Kidwell said when a Team Member referred to one of the Victims .  "That's not a Victim, that's your Patient" Brian told the Rescuer.  Indeed.  When we are helping them, they are no longer  Victims.  Going forward, I'll be using the word "Patient" .   I invite you to do the same, and correct me when I fall back on my old habit (which I'm almost sure to do).

That's all for this week, questions, comments, contact your Team Leader. 

-Steve

TV Coverage of CERT Teams searching the Monster Manor in Mira Mesa

Hello all, I thought you might be interested in the coverage we got from Fox News last night:

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobeta/cd98114f-1a29-424c-915c-b85695a715f3/News/Firefighters-Testing-Skills-In-Haunted-House

Thanks to all who attended, your commitment made the whole thing work.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 9/21/10

*****MIRA MESA*******

Telephone Tree—This will be ready to go early next week, sorry again for the delay, I've been busy with the 22 September training.

Training Hours Due—Actually they are due this time next week, consider this the first reminder.  Red Cross training counts (please get a completion certificate), as do many other classes, but check with us/me first before you take something to ensure that it is approved.

10 October Meeting—I know I mentioned a repeat of the cribbing drill last week, but now I'm leaning toward doing an ICS simulation, we can all use the practice.  This is a Sunday, and the last meeting under Daylight Saving, so let's plan on late afternoon, maybe 3:00-4:30?

Mira Mesa Street Fair—We did not get enough people signed up for this to staff our booth.  Small wonder I guess, with all we had going on this week.  If you'd like to give us a hand, please sign up at:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Team+Trainings/Activities

Otherwise we should give the booth up, other people want it.  Weather Channel has 85 and sunny for the day, join us, catch some rays, and have a great excuse.  I know I mentioned actual drills, if you don't want to do that, you don't have to, promise.

DSW Applications—I don't think I have any applications for Mira Mesa this time other than my own.  If I'm wrong about that, please contact me immediately, we still have plenty of time to get it done.

******BATTALION 5 NEWS********

DSW Applications are due—We process a batch through the County OES every two months.  If you are up for renewal or have a new application, and you have not submitted your qualifying documentation, contact your Team Leader.

22 September Continuing Education Search and Rescue Notice—Registration for this is closed, but if you didn't sign up and now wish you had, contact your Team Leader TODAY and ask them to pass it through to me, I might be able to get you in before we make the final assignments. We start  tomorrow night at 5:30, please try to be early to check in, and do not park in the parking lot right next to the Haunt, AT&T is open and they need the spaces for Customers (Note: The AT&T Regional Service Center is there, if you are having troubles with your AT&T Cell Telephone, they are the  guys to see.  Go in the left door for Service, the right is Sales).

Academy 25 Support—Academy 25 is packed full, if you sent a friend or neighbor there, Thanks!  We need help for Administration Thursday night 30 September and Saturday morning 2 October.   This is volunteer hours only.    If you thrive on a lot of positive energy, this is a good deal for you.  NOTE signups for the Final Drill are also posted (I'll have more about that next week), be sure you get signed up for the right thing.  Sign up on the web site:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Team+Trainings/Activities

Continuing Education, Regional CERT Exercise—Saturday, 9 October, 8am-3pm.  At Stu Segal Studios, 4705 Ruffin Rd. San Diego.  This is a regional exercise sponsored by the County.  We're not sure what they have in mind, but I'm told that Stu Segal has an Iraqi village.  Never know when we might have to search one of those.  Either way, should be interesting, and it's a good opportunity to interact with some of the County CERT units.  The County provides lunch.  Sign up on the web site and download a copy of the flier:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=Continuing+Education+Opportunities

NOTE-this is a County deal, so even if you sign up on our web site, you aren't in until the County notifies you.  Move on this one if you are interested, they will probably fill up.

Occasional Rant—Yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City quake.  Over 10,000 lives lost in total.  Many of us know that this disaster was the seed that spawned CERT, because we read about it on the Los Angeles CERT web site.  In 1986, a group of investigators from LA traveled to Mexico City to study the quake and its effects.  They found that, immediately after the quake, scores of people banded together and organized to form ad hoc rescue teams.  These teams were highly effective because they began operations immediately after the event, well before organized professional rescue efforts.  Over 800 people were saved by these volunteers.  100 of the volunteers were lost in the effort.  The result was commendable, the attrition unacceptable.  From the LA team's findings and other studies, it was concluded that organized and trained community-based teams of volunteer rescuers could be highly effective while avoiding situations that were unsafe for them, given their equipment and experience.

and here we are today.....

You will not of course note that I emphasized trained

How about you?

That's it for this week, questions, comments, see your Team Leaders.

-Steve