Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Training Hours for December—Please have them to me by end of the day Thursday.  You should report your attendance at our team meeting, even if I saw you there and you signed the roster.  Thanks.

Team Meeting January—The tenth is a Tuesday.  I don't have a place lined up yet.  I will be seeing what the Senior Center can do for us for the year next week, because I don't think I will get anyone's attention in this one.  I'll try to line up a whole year's worth of reservations for 2012 as we did for 2011.  I will let you know as soon as I get something set.

Happy New Year to all!  Battalion news follows, it will be short.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Happy Holidays!  I still don't have any news on the January Team Meeting.  This time of year always seems to bring plenty to do.  For a few brief minutes I want t stop hounding you all about your training, etc. and simply say thank you for your commitment to CERT.  We could not do this without you.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 12/13/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Tuesday, 10 January, 6:00-7:00.  I don't have a room yet, hopefully I can line up several dates with the Senior Center.  We are always looking for meeting space in central Mira Mesa that we can use after hours, a space that can hold 10-15 people comfortably.  If you have any ideas, let me know, I will pursue anything that looks good.

DSW Cards—New Academy graduates, for your first card you need two Team Meetings and two Continuing Education (CE) credits.  We submit applications every two months on even numbered months.  If you think you qualify, drop me a note, we'll work up your application documents.  Members who need to renew, you need the two CE's and two team meetings in each of the two years your card is good for, and a refresher anytime in that two-year window.

Year 2012—I'm always up for ideas, if there is something you would like to see us do as a team in the coming year, let me know.

That's all for this week.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 12/7/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—This Saturday, 10 December.  The Glass residence at 10125 Baffin Drive, near Jade Coast and Camino Ruiz.  We will discuss utilities shutoff, and the basics of residential electrical and gas.  This is my first attempt at the subject, so let's call it a work in progress.  Meeting starts at 3:00pm, ends at 4:00pm. We'll most likely have it in the garage so we can go out to look at the sub-panel etc., and you probably noticed that it has been a bit CHILLY lately so plan accordingly.   Afterwards we'll adjourn to our palatial abode and  have some light refreshments. If it is convenient to bring a folding chair for the meeting, please do.

Refresher—We have a refresher scheduled for 21 January, 9:00am—1:00pm.  If you have a DSW card and have not taken one of these since you got it, please have a hard look at going to this.  A Refresher is also a really good idea if you think your basic skills have gotten a little rusty.  Sign up here:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=SDFD+Refreshers

Academy 27—Does not start until mid-February, and it is already 70% FULL.  If you know someone who wants to do this, please drop them a reminder and tell them it would be wise to get on it.  There is NO online signup, applicants must download the application here:

http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/cert/pdf/academy27application.pdf

and send it to the address shown.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows.  Be safe.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Saturday, 10 December.  The Glass residence at 10125 Baffin Drive, near Jade Coast and Camino Ruiz.  If you Google map the place, I somehow managed to have the garage door closed when they went by, neither of my neighbors was that lucky.  We will discuss utilities shutoff, and the basics of residential electrical and gas.  This will be purely practical information focused on helping you to avoid potentially dangerous situations.  Meeting starts at 3:00pm, ends at 4:00pm.  Afterwards we'll have some sort of hot cider-like thing and some light refreshments. We're always a little short on chairs for these, if you have a good folding chair, please bring it.

Training Hours for November Due—Please have them in to me by 5:00pm Thursday.  If it is not a CERT class, include the class title, location, instructor's name and number of hours.  If you made the County Refresher this month just put down Refresher, the date and the number of hours.

NIMs Certificates—I think I have contacted everyone by email who has not sent me certificates yet.  You Academy 25 folk do not need to have them done until June.

Refresher—Not up on the website yet, I think I will hold the battalion news until it goes up.  Currently on the Calendar for 21 January 2012 (Saturday).  Count on at least half-day, probably morning.  If you currently hold a DSW card, and have not been to one of these since you got your card, you probably need one.  Contact me if you are not sure.

Councilman DeMaio Holiday Party—Our City Councilmember Carl DeMaio has once again graciously invited us to his holiday party.  Here is the flier they sent us:

http://www.sitetuneups.biz/CERT/DeMaioholidayinvite2011miramesa.pdf

December 17, 1:00-3:00, at the Councilmember's home.  Please be courteous and RSVP if you want to go to this.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows.  Be safe.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter

Good morning, Happy Thanksgiving!  Our best to you and yours.  Here is the news:

Team Meeting—Saturday, 10 December, starting at 3:00, at the Glass residence 10125 Baffin Drive.  We are near Camino Ruiz and Jade Coast, drop me a note if you want complete directions.  We will cover utilities shutoff, going into some detail about typical residential installations for both gas and electrical.  We'll talk just a bit about water also.  This talk won't qualify you for journeyman electrician, we will focus on recognizing potentially dangerous situations and dealing with them.  We'll wrap up at 4:00 or so.  After the meeting you are welcome to join us for hot cider and light snacks.  We should have everyone out of here in plenty of time to get home and get ready for whatever holiday obligation or event you have that night.

Councilman DeMaio Holiday Party—Our City Councilmember Carl DeMaio has once again graciously invited us to his holiday party.  Here is the flier they sent us:

http://www.sitetuneups.biz/CERT/DeMaioholidayinvite2011miramesa.pdf

December 17, 1:00-3:00, at the Councilmember's home.  Please be courteous and RSVP if you want to go to this.

NIMS Classes—Just two more months to get this done.  I'm going to try to set aside the time to contact each of you individually if I have not received anything from you yet.  If you are having problems with the classes please tell me, I don't want to lose anyone to this.

That's all for this week, have a safe and joyful holiday.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—The tenth is on a Saturday in December.  I am well aware that this month carries a variety of family commitments for many of us, a lot of which seems to be concentrated on the weekends.  I am open to ideas.  For now, please block out an hour in the morning on your calendar, let's say between 9 and 10.  I think we might finally get around to utilities shutoff, which I think I have been promising for about 6 months now.  To go with that, we will have  a very basic discussion about household electrical, and possibly gas.  I learned at the Haunt drill that some of us could use a little work on recognizing potentially dangerous situations that may be not be quite as obvious as a space heater sitting in a pool of water throwing sparks.  I promise to keep this discussion in simple terms that focus on staying safe.  More on this next week, and as I mentioned we may move the date to accommodate everyone's needs.

NIMS Certificates—I think about 25-30% of us have finished or are very close, and I know that most of you are committed to doing this and staying with us.  I sure hope so, we need every one of you.  Please tell me if you are having problems finishing the classes for any reason, let's see what we can work out.

That's all for this week, Battalion news follows sometime today.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations

CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations:

	CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations	From: TigardCERT Views: 479 0 ratings
	Time: 22:23	More in Education

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter

Good afternoon, here is the news:

No Battalion News this week.  It's been a bit slow.

Team Meeting—TOMMORROW NIGHT Thursday 10 November 2011, 6:00pm—7:00pm.  At our rally point, the gazebo in Mira Mesa Community Park between the Recreation Center and Fire Station 38, on New Salem just East of Mira Mesa Blvd.  it will probably be a bit cold (thanks Captain Obvious) so dress warmly.  Bring a chair if standing is not your thing.  Although it has been awhile now, I still want to discuss the blackout and what you learned.  I want to talk about our upcoming meetings also, the floor will be open, bring yours ideas.

Scripps Ranch Drill 15 November—This is an interesting drill, where most us  will call in from home.  We will be presented a scenario (probably the standard earthquake) and you will be asked to make something plausible up about what you found in your area, then report it over the telephone.  You might be reporting to me, you might not.  Your information will then be aggregated and reported up the chain of command.  yes, I do understand the telephones may not be working, the point of the drill is data collection and reporting, go with it.  The After Action Report should make good reading.  IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, let me know as soon as possible, we need a head count from our area.

That's all for this week.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter 11/2

Good morning, here is the News:

RED FLAG TODAY—More about this in Battalion News, please read it.

Team Meeting—Thursday 10 November 2011, 6:00pm—7:00pm.  At our rally point, the gazebo in Mira Mesa Community Park between the Recreation Center and Fire Station 38, on New Salem just East of Mira Mesa Blvd.  We have not been to the rally point for awhile.  I hope a lot of you newer members who have never been there can make it, you need to know where this is.  Although it has been awhile now, I still want to discuss the blackout and what you learned.  Also, please cull out two or three of the most interesting things you heard from friends/colleagues etc to share also (one friend told me "we pulled out six flashlights, one of them worked".  That's probably OK if you know where the one is, and can find batteries for the others).  I want to talk about our upcoming meetings also, seems like we are overdue for a wound-care review, and I have a few other ideas, the floor will be open, bring yours.

Scripps Ranch Drill 15 November—Our very good friends over in Scripps Ranch are cooking up a new idea for a drill, based largely on what we learned in NIMS-704 (good time to haul out your notes or whatever and look at them).  There are varying levels of participation, from calling in information from where ever you are, to stopping at  the Command Post just long enough to share your observations, to actually participating in the evaluation.  Be aware that they are working out some ideas, so there may be a few rough spots.  This is fresh stuff if you can, please block out a little time that night to support it.  We don't have much detail yet, I will share as soon as it is available.

That's all for this week.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter 10/26

Good evening, here is the news:

Training Hours Due—Please have those in to me by 5:00pm Friday.  Even if I actually saw you at the Haunt Drill for example, you need t tell me about it.  Also, If you have completed all five of your NIMS courses, that's good for two CE's.

Team Meeting—Thursday, 10 November, 6:00pm.  We'll try to end promptly at 7.  At our Rally Point, the gazebo just west of the Recreation Center on New Salem, East of Camino Ruiz (just past Fire Station 38).  Since we did not have a meeting in October, we did not get to discuss the blackout.  Please come prepared to talk about how you reacted; what you did, what you did not do, what worked, what did not.  It's been said many times that this was a giant drill ready-made.  I agree.  Let's make the most of it.  The survey results are in for the Haunt Drill, and the After Action Report has been filed, I will share those results.  Anyone who attended the drill is also welcome to share their thoughts and experiences.  Since I spent all of my time outside trying desperately to look important, I really don't have the best perspective, so I'll be looking forward to this part.  If we have time we will talk about 2012, I want to focus on where we are, where we want to be, and what we can do in 2012 to get there.  Bring a folding chair if standing for an a hour is not your gig, and personal illumination, it will be dark.

NIMS Classes—I will probably cover this as usual in the Battalion News, but I wanted to include a special note here to all of you.  If you did not graduate in the last Academy (you guys get more time) and you don't have these classes done by 31 December 2011, you will be suspended at best.  No, I'm not kidding.  I really believe in the value of these classes, but I don't want to lose a single member because of some technical issue or otherwise.  So, if you are struggling to get these done, please let me know what your issues are.  I have fair technical expertise, and may be able to help.

All for this week, questions, comments, ISSUES WITH NIMS CLASSES, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT Newsletter 10/18

Good morning, here is the News:

Team Meeting— Thursday, 10 November.  Daylight Savings Time ends the week before, so it will be dark.  I think we will meet at our primary rally point.  Some of you have never been there.  We will meet at or near the gazebo in Mira Mesa Park, just off of New Salem Street, east of Mira Mesa Blvd.  This is more or less between Fire Station 38 and the Recreation Center.  We never had a chance to talk about the blackout, so let's make that our primary topic.  I would like to know how your plan worked, and what you will do differently next time.  Let's face it, there WILL be a next time.  I know many of you made the haunt drill last week, we can talk about that also.  We will start at 6:00pm, end at 7:00.  Please bring a folding chair of some sort if you don't want to stand the whole time, remember to dress for the weather, and of course bring personal illumination.  PPE/Go-Bags not required.

Haunt Drill—Quite a deal this year, we had 44 signed up, and I think just over 40 signed in and did the drill.  Those of you who participated should be getting a short survey in a few days, please take a few minutes to fill it out and send it in.  I can promise you that your impressions will matter.

Rally Point—I mentioned this in the Team Meeting announcement, and I would imagine that some of our newer members are not quite sure what this is.  A Team Rally Point is simply a place on the map in the geographic area covered by a CERT Team.  They are typically out in the open some place, and not tied to any building which may be unusable following a disaster.   The rally point is a place where you can go following a disaster to connect with other CERT and begin a coordinated response.  If you have no available communication following a sudden catastrophic disaster, and don't expect communications to resume, AND you are available for deployment, you can go to the rally point.  What you do from there depends on who else shows up and what you have available.  It's a source of endless discussion that you are now part of, think about what you might do if you showed up and discovered that you are in charge.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa CERT newsletter

Good afternoon, a day late, here is the News:

Hours for September—Please report your hours to me before Friday at Noon, please.  This is also a DSW card month, if you think you are up for renewal or a new card, and we have not conversed this month, drop me a note.  Those of you I have talked with, I think we are in pretty good shape.

Team Meeting—No formal meeting in October.  We've got something better to do.  See next announcement.

The Haunt is Back!—That's right, it just got approved for Continuing Education.  Drill date is Thursday, 13 October, probably 6-9pm.  Yes, I know that's soon, sorry for the short notice.  For those of you who are new, last year we ran a search and rescue drill using the Mira Mesa Haunted House as a venue.  The Haunt's tight multiple rooms and the weird venue overall made for a great experience.  This year it is fully enclosed, so it is even more maze-like.  This is a great drill, if you can possibly make it mark your calendar.  Signup should go up on the website this Monday.  I will let you know as soon as it goes up.

That's all for now.  I'll  get the Battalion News out as soon as I can, but it might be tomorrow, I suddenly have a lot on my plate.  This year I have a Committee drawn from the Leadership group, so I'll have a lot more help.  We should be able to pull this off.

Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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CERT Friend Requests

Dear Current and Former CERT members:

I rarely do much with Facebook but I recently realized that CERT could take advantage of it's capabilities.  This came about due to making a link with another person and a "mutual friend" suggestion came up for a CERT organization in another state.  Whoa there!  What a concept...  An online network for CERT able to pass on-site info and training tips via Facebook, plus a great way to introduce your non-CERT friends to the idea of self-reliance.

So right now I'm going through my list of people I have met through CERT and asking to friend me.  Feel free to let me know what you think by commenting here.

Terry Walters
Mira Mesa CERT

New Digital Communications Recommendations to Help Americans Prepare in Advance of an Emergency

New Digital Communications Recommendations to Help Americans Prepare in Advance of an Emergency: WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 - Recent weather events such as Hurricane Irene, the earthquake on the East Coast and other natural disasters highlight the need for Americans to prepare for emergencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, the Ad Council and Google Crisis Response are collaborating to launch a new preparedness web resource, Get Tech Ready, on behalf of the Ready campaign.

Released just before the start of National Preparedness Month, this new resource educates individuals and families about how using modern-day technology can help them prepare, adapt and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies or disasters.

A recent American Red Cross survey showed that the internet, including online news sites and social media platforms, is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe.

"As technology becomes more a part of our daily lives, people are turning to it during emergencies as well. We need to utilize these tools, to the best of our abilities, to engage and inform the public, because no matter how much federal, state and local officials do, we will only be successful if the public is brought in as part of the team," FEMA Administrator, W. Craig Fugate.

"During Hurricane Irene, we saw people using new technologies in many ways, whether it was thousands of people downloading our new shelter finder App or others using our Safe and Well site and social media to let their friends and family know they are OK, " said Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "People now have more varied resources available at their fingertips that they can use before, during and after emergencies."

Get Tech Ready provides Americans with tips on how to use technological resources before, during and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs. Preparedness tips on the website include:

• Learn how to send updates via text and internet from your mobile phone to your contacts and social channels in case voice communications are not available;

• Store your important documents such as personal and financial records in the cloud or on a secure and remote area or flash or jump drive that you can keep readily available so they can be accessed from anywhere; and

• Create an Emergency Information Document using the Ready.gov Family Emergency Plan template in Google Docs or by downloading the Ready Family Emergency Plan to record your emergency plans.

"Get Tech Ready is a resource that will truly help people in the US and around the world understand how they can use widely available technology to prepare for potential crises," said Nigel Snoud, Product Manager, Google Crisis Response. "We're thrilled to be working with FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the Ad Council on this public service project."

"We are delighted to collaborate with FEMA, Google and the American Red Cross to expand our Ready messages through this new web site to educate more Americans about the vital need to get prepared in advance of an potential emergency," said Peggy Conlon, president & CEO of the Ad Council. "The web site will provide access to critical resources to Americans addressing the importance of using technology as part of their individual and family preparedness plans."

Launched in 2003, National Preparedness Month is designed to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies throughout the year. The Ready campaign was also launched in 2003 by FEMA in partnership with the Ad Council. Since its launch, media outlets have donated more than $900 million in advertising time and space for the PSAs. The new PSAs will air in advertising time that will be entirely donated by the media.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org/ or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—No formal meeting next month, the Street Fair will count as a Team Meeting for anyone who wants to attend.

Street Fair— Saturday, 17 September, 10:00am—5pm. I think we have six signed up so far.  Next week I will have a demo schedule put together, we'll start putting people in slots at that time.  I'm sure we'll have some basic rescue/transport.  After the exercise with USAR, I realize that we don't work much on actually securing a patient to a backboard/litter so they don't fall off/out, so we'll do some of that.  Also we'll have the infamous knot-tying class, and this time I will successfully execute a Carrick Bend.  We'll do wound care also if we can get the materials, but I think we'll not bring out any moulage, great idea, but I'd want to make that the focus of some event if we go to the effort.  Cribbing if we can get that many people at one time, we'll see.  Needs at least five and that's a lot to invest in one slot.  Your thoughts on this are welcome.  I'm going to open this up to the rest of the Battalion in the Battalion News today, we'll see who we can get from the other Teams.

Scripps Ranch Cribbing Drill—Scripps Ranch Team has graciously invited us to participate in their cribbing exercise Tuesday 27 September, 7:00pm in the Scripps Ranch Library (note we're talking September, not this Saturday).  If you want to go, let me know, I'm putting this out in that Battalion News also.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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The Indiana State Fair Incident

The Indiana State Fair Incident: Thanks Mary for bringing this to my attention! This article was taken from an Emergency Management blog. GO CERT!!I don't know if these were Indiana CERT members that this article talks about as civilian responders, but it sure sounds like it.



The Indiana State Fair Incident

August 15, 2011





This past Saturday night, an outdoor stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair, killing five and injuring approximately 50 spectators. The stage had been setup for a Sugarland concert and there had been severe weather passing through the area with very strong winds that subsequently resulted in a catastrophic failure of the stage and canopy. Even though this incident is still being investigated, there are several important lessons learned that emergency management professionals can immediately recognize and apply.



Simply stated -- this incident highlights the very fine line that we, as a society, walk between normal days and normal accidents. Charles Perrow describes “normal accidents” as the unexpected interaction between component failures in a system. In this incident, the interaction between the environment (severe weather) and technology lead to a very unexpected event -- a Black Swan Event, if you will.



As I watched and listened the events unfold via social media and public safety radio communications, there were several lessons learned that were readily apparent but here are the three most important for us to remember:



•The first responders were civilian bystanders and they did an amazing job. These people took immediate action, helped the injured, rendered first aid, and reported valuable information into “the cloud”. Each and every one of them should be commended for their selfless actions in a dangerous and chaotic scene. As emergency planners, we must recognize the importance of civilian responders in large scale disasters -- support them!•Social media played an unbelievable role sharing information. From across the country and sitting behind my computer screen, I had pictures and videos of the incident before the news media reported anything. I knew what collapsed and where, I had approximate numbers of people killed and injured, and where they were transported. I knew approximately many patients went to each hospital, which hospitals were on divert, and which hospitals were still accepting patients -- all via social media! If you have not embraced social media for emergency management use, you are only hurting yourself. Social media is an amazing resource when used appropriately and provides near real-time information on dynamic incidents -- use it!

•We cannot become complacent and fatigued when it comes to the planning process. I am not saying, however, that this occurred here but this incident should act as a reminder that we must be prepared for worst-case scenarios through exercising, collaborative planning processes, dynamic, bi-directional information sharing (both vertically and horizontally), and excellent preparedness capabilities. Like it or not, as emergency services we are all on the same team -- act like it.

Unfortunately, incidents like this happen and will continue to happen despite our best efforts to limit their occurrence and consequences. Bottom line -- thank civilian responders but give them the training and resources they need to stay prepared, embrace social media as the resource we know it is and use it, and stay open-minded when planning for the consequences of vulnerabilities and risks.



Then check this link out:

http://plcert.typepad.com/cert/2011/08/indiana-state-fair-stage-collapse.html

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, a day late, here is the news:

Team Meeting—The tenth in September is a Saturday, and I'm already looking for a commitment from everyone who can possibly make it to the Street Fair the following Saturday, 17 September.  I really don't want to ask for two September Saturdays in a row, so no meeting on the tenth.  What we might do if we decide to do a rescue demo of some sort is hold a practice the previous Tuesday or Wednesday, the 13th or 14th in the evening.

Street Fair— Saturday, 17 September, 10:00am—5pm.  This is a big block of time, and if we are going to run any demos, we'll need a lot of people.  If you can possibly put in some time that Saturday, drop me an email TODAY with your preferred time slots.   I'm looking for a minimum of two hours.  I'm going to open this up to the rest of our battalion next week as well as Battalion 7 (Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos), but I want to have something a little more concrete to say about what kind of training they could get if they show up.  For you guys, the hook is we need more Members, we all know that.  So please, invest some time in this, let's pack that next Academy with our people.  We are normally positioned on Camino Ruiz, East side almost to New Salem, where the Fair ends. they usually put Engine Company 38 right on the end, then we're next, that lets 38 get out if they need to leave on a call, which they usually do.

October Meeting—I'm bringing this up now because the tenth falls on a holiday for a lot of people (Columbus Day).  So it's the end of a three day weekend, I can't think that we'll get a big turnout.  Also, The Senior Center won't be open.  I think we will move this a few days into the week, possibly Wednesday, and have a final meeting at the rally point before Daylight Saving Time ends.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows (eventually).  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 8/9/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Tomorrow night, 10 August 2011.  Start at 6:00pm, end at 7:00pm.  We'll be at the Senior Center on Mira Mesa Blvd, Between New Salem/Reagan and Camino Ruiz.  I think they will have us in their Media Center, when you come in the main entrance, it is on the left about half-way down the hall.  Should be line dancing in the main hall I think, don't get pulled in to that.  We'll talk about National Preparedness Month in September.  Please bring your best ideas.  If there is an event where we can get a free table, or a local gathering where we can send someone in to say a few words about CERT, and you can get us in, let's talk.  In fact, it doesn't have to be local, if you belong to some group that meets in San Diego someplace, that's fair game also.  Also, we want to build up some skills demonstrations for the Street Fair, and get some people signed up to do them.  Bring your thoughts about that also.  I really think that should take up our hour, but I'll bring a small triage exercise just in case.

Next Meeting—The tenth falls on Saturday next month, but I would really like to see everyone who can commit some time to the Street Fair the following Saturday, 17 September .  That's probably our best recruiting opportunity for the year here in Mira Mesa.  If anything, we might set something up in the week before the 17th on some evening to practice some demos we will run at the Fair.  I can get equipment and a practice dummy before the event if we need them.

Street Fair—I'm looking for at least a two hour commitment from anyone available.  Attendance at the Street Fair usually counts as a Team Meeting, I'll confirm this.  Please let me know if you think you can do this.  With enough people we can put on a pretty good show.  The goal is to get their attention so they come talk to us.  You all know we need more people, so put this on your calendar.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows.   Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 8/2/11

Good morning, here is the Team news:

Team Meeting—10 August 6:00-7:00pm.  We'll be at the Senior Center on Mira Mesa Blvd, Between New Salem/Reagan and Camino Ruiz.   Discussion/ideas for National Preparedness Month.  I think I will cook up a triage exercise also in case we have some time left, so please take a moment to look at your manuals and refresh your memories.

Reporting your hours—Several of us did not report attendance at last month's team meeting.   Please remember to drop me a note reporting ANY training you took or other volunteer time you put in, even if I saw you there.  We need this redundancy to ensure that there are no mistakes.  Thanks

That's all for this week, questions, comments, ideas, you know how to find me.

-Steve

USAR Drill

I just got this in, the USAR is conducting a drill and we are being asked to participate.  This is a wonderful opportunity, because it emulates a potential real situation, where CERT would be the first to arrive, set up ICS, perform light rescue, triage, wound care, all of our skills, then we do the handoff to elements of USAR as they arrive on scene.  CERT will do this for the first few hours of the drill, then after the handoff most of the participating CERT will act as victims for the USAR at least part time during the rest of the drill.  CERT will probably not spend the whole time in the victim rolls, it appears that there will be some opportunity to shadow the drill proctors and observe the ICS operation.  Assignments will be on an as-needed basis, so you don't really know what you will be doing during the drill.  All in all this looks like it might be a good opportunity to observe the USAR in action and show them what we can do.  And, it is good for a CE.

Please download and read the agenda carefully:

http://www.sitetuneups.biz/CERT/CERT_Agenda_for_USAR_Exercise.pdf

Note that this is a LONG exercise, 7am-6pm,  and there will be some physical challenges, as well as possibly long periods of waiting.  Also, it is NOT a refresher, you will be expected to know the things you are supposed to know, so take another look at that manual.  If there are parts of CERT  operations you really don't like to participate in, this is not your drill.  I don't know if there will be a lunch break, or many other comforts (a lot like the real thing).  This is on a Thursday, August 11.  Location is Chula Vista Fire Station 4/Training facility.

ALL OF COUNTY CERT CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS DRILL.  Sign up early for this if you want to go:

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/register.php?id=391

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 7/26/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Training Hours Due—Please have your hours in to me by this Sunday Afternoon.  You should include the full name of the class, the Sponsor if it was not CERT, the Instructor's name and the number of hours you were engaged.

Team Meeting—10 August 6:00-7:00pm.  We'll be at the Senior Center on Mira Mesa Blvd, Between New Salem/Reagan and Camino Ruiz. Bring your ideas for reaching our Community during National Preparedness Month.  Every family that gets prepared makes our job easier when a disaster strikes.

Street Fair—17 September.  Morning and afternoon shifts will be available.  Please plan to spend some time with us that Saturday, we need you.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 7/19/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—10 August 6:00-7:00pm.  We'll be at the Senior Center on Mira Mesa Blvd, Between New Salem/Reagan and Camino Ruiz.  It's on the North side of Mira Mesa Blvd., so you have to be Westbound to turn in to it, unless of course you do some really creative off-roading (not recommended, they just got some decent landscaping in that center divide).  I'd love to get some triage work in, but I think we'd better get our story nailed down for National Preparedness Month, it will be our last meeting before that happens.  Please bring your good ideas, we need to reach the Community.

National Preparedness Month—This is a National Effort, sponsored by the Ready Campaign (a FEMA program) and the Citizen Corps.  So we can expect some Public Relations air cover.  Our objectives locally are to encourage more citizens to be prepared for disaster, and recruit members to our Team.  Preparing Mira Mesa is fundamental to our success.  It's a simple formula, every family that is prepared to deal with disaster is one more family we don't have to rescue.  As you think about how we might approach our Community, assume that we can get you some promotional materials (fliers, brochures etc.) and we may even be able to come up with a tabletop display.  As I'm sure you know, most retailers are not excited about camping outside their doors.  Even if it is your right to do so, I'm not excited about making local store management mad at us, so let's avoid that unless you have some sort of in with management at a local retailer.  I'm talking about putting in a presence at a social or professional group you belong to.  Perhaps they will let you say a few words at your next meeting, or set up a table, that sort of thing.  Public speaking not your thing?  Line up the opportunity, I'll try to make as many of them as I can (I don't lack for a word very often).  If you have an idea, please run it past me, then make the approach, and do it SOON.  September is already well on the radar for most organizations, if you want to get included in something, this really is pretty close to the last minute.  For all that you do, remember these three things:

·         Get buy-in from CERT through me.  SDFR needs to know where you are and what you are doing.  Enough said.

·         ASK PERMISSION from the group or other entity you want to work with.  Get me involved if it helps.  But don't just show up someplace.

·         You are CERT, a proud member of a wonderful volunteer organization dedicated to helping others when disaster happens.  Your dedication and commitment commands respect.  Remember that when you put on the green.

Street Fair—17 September.  Mark the Calendar, and plan to spend a few hours, we really need the help.  Morning and afternoon shifts will be available.  This is probably our best opportunity to have a real impact on our Community for National Preparedness Month.  I really want to get a group together before the Fair and practice some demos we can do to demonstrate our purpose and skills.  We could do this in our regular Team Meeting slot the Saturday before, but that's two Saturdays in a row, so maybe we'll schedule some time in the evening during the week.  Still working through the details, I'll have more next week.

That's all for this week.  Questions, comments, GREAT IDEAS, drop me a note.

-Steve

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CERT - START - RPM (Part 2).mpeg

CERT - START - RPM (Part 2).mpeg: "

	CERT - START - RPM (Part 2).mpeg	From: nischwartz Views: 3452 0 ratings
	Time: 09:26	More in Education

"

QuickTips for July – Important Information Needed After A Disaster

QuickTips for July – Important Information Needed After A Disaster: "

Think of what information you will need to carry on after a disaster. Much, but not all, of our important information today is stored in our computers. Copies of this information should be kept in a safe place such as a safe deposit box, at a relative’s house, outside the house with other disaster supplies or in a go-bag. Thumb drives could be very useful to store this information. If you are not computer capable, make do with copy machines.

Here is a list of items to get you started:

• Wills, insurance policies (home and autos), mortgage papers, deeds, Passports, driver licenses and credit cards (both sides), social security and medicare cards


• Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates


• Bank and Brokerage account numbers and institution names


• Important phone numbers and addresses


• Health policy numbers and immunization records

You will also need information to file claims with FEMA and insurance companies. The sooner you can file, the sooner you will receive funds to begin rebuilding. This advice can save you MAJOR time and money.

To help support your claims you should have:

• Photos of every room, every closet, cupboard, drawer and cabinet as well as the exterior of the house and autos. These are the “before” photos so you can prove damage.

While you are gathering all of these “official” items, you might also want to store a copy of all of those digital family photos to protect family memories.

"

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 7/12/11

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting— 10 August, 6:00pm—7:00pm.  We have space reserved at the Senior Center.  I'm thinking we will work on triage fundamentals, excepting those who just graduated from Academy, it has been awhile for many of us.  We'll do a review of the procedure, various marking methods, and then get right to practice.  I'll try to come up with something creative for practice, but I'll be going for brain-numbing repetition, this is one of those things that we all need to be able to just do without thinking about it too much, and for most of us there is only one way for that to happen.  Finally we'll try to squeeze in more time talking about National Preparedness Month.  If we have enough good ideas to discuss, then we'll put off the triage practice for October I think, and just work on our plans.

National Preparedness Month—Great meeting last Sunday, but we didn't get to put a lot of time in on this.  September is National Preparedness Month.  I understand that there is a media campaign being put in place for this.  Basically we have the opportunity to go out in the Community in our gear and promote personal/family preparedness as well as recruit for CERT.  With any luck at all we will have an Academy on the schedule by then (so I'm told) that we can use as a call to action.  There are a ton of possibilities, here are two to think about; if you know of an organization that is having a gathering, like a harvest festival or block party, perhaps we can set up a table there.  Or, if you are a member of a community-based organization, we might be able to get a few minutes at their September event/meeting to say a few words about preparedness and CERT.  If you want me to address your group, I'm happy to do that if I can squeeze it on my calendar.  Whatever you do, it needs to be approved in advance.  This won't be a big deal, the point is you should not pop up in the Community in your emergency kit when the SDFR/CERT doesn't know about it.  That's a bad thing.  Please remember we already have the Street Fair on 17 September, probably our best chance to hit a large local audience, so I hope you will mark your Calendar and make plans to join us then, we need all the CERT people we can get to really put on a show.  With any luck at all, we can get some decent rescue practice in with the deal.  Please send your ideas in, I'd love to see the next Academy start with about 40 locals in it, and remember, every person we can convince to do basic preparation is one more individual/family we may not have to rescue on the day.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows, questions, comment, you know how to find me.

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 7/5/11

Good morning, I hope everyone had a nice holiday, here is the News:

Training Hours—I have attached our training hours report to this email.  Please let me know if you cannot open it.  We are trying this in the entire organization to make our training reports more accurate.  Please review this TODAY if at all possible and let me know if you see any issues with regards to the training you took in June.  Sorry for the short notice, but I need to get our hours in TOMORROW first thing, so please jump on this for me.

Team Meeting—Sunday, 10 July, 9:00am at our rally point, near the Recreation Center on New Salem Drive, just East of Mira Mesa Blvd.  I think I will give a short talk to get us all on about the same page, then we will run at least two scenarios.  I urge everyone to at least take the first of the five online ICS classes that are required of everyone before this meeting, you'll find it invaluable.  Also, we will be looking for fresh ideas for this year's Street Fair (more in the next item).  Should be a fast moving meeting, see you there.  I think this one will run a bit over, but we should be done by 10:15-10:20.  BRING a CHAIR or something to sit on, we'll be out in the park.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is NOT required for this meeting.  Lots of water and sunscreen (even at that hour) are good ideas.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows.  Won't be a lot in there, things should pick up moving into August.

-Steve

First Aid Shopping

First Aid Shopping: "

Just in time for Skills Day training, I was in REI yesterday and saw these two items on the rack. They are probably the items that we get the most questions on regarding where to buy them.

"

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 6/14/11

Good morning, day late again, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Sunday, 10 July.  We plan to meet at our rally point, in Mira Mesa Park near the Recreation  Center, New Salem Drive just East of Mira Mesa Blvd.  We plan to start at 9:00am, end about 10:30.  I realize this is a Sunday Morning.  If you already know you can't make this, please reply to this email.  We can move to the afternoon, but I think we'll want to move the location also if we do that.  I just don't see our whole group being able to park anywhere near that place on a Sunday afternoon in July.  We'll just hit the rally point in August instead, the 10th falls on a Wednesday.

For our new people, we are usually a little slow in early Summer.  I'll have more on that in the Battalion news.  All for this week, any questions you know how to find me.

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 6/7/11

Good morning, here is the news, Battalion news follows:

New Members—A big welcome to our new members:

Steve Domowski

Onepeng Khongkham

Mark Wright

Really pleased to have you all on board, and looking forward to training with you!

Graduation—Special thanks to Karen Nicholson and Stewart Migdal for being really good troopers; they showed up for a team meeting and were promptly shanghaied by a certain mustachioed Fireman/Paramedic, who put them to work in Logistics.  You guys plugged a big hole in our manpower picture.  Thanks.

Team Meeting—Sunday, 10 July.  Let's meet at our primary rally point, our new members can get a chance to see the place.  Near the Recreation Center on New Salem, just East of Camino Ruiz, we try to meet in the open air gazebo if it is available.  I think we'll go for something pretty early in the morning, maybe 9:00am?  Any later and  we probably won't be able to park within a mile of there.  We are way overdue for some ICS practice, so plan for that.  I will cook up some scenarios, hopefully we can play through 3 scenes, may take up to 1 1/2 hours.

All for this week, Battalion News around Noon today, I have a few things going on this morning.  Questions, Comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 5/31/11

Good afternoon, I hope everyone had a nice holiday, here is the news.  Battalion news follows:

Team Meeting—We are moving this from the 10th to this next Saturday.  Meeting will be down at NTC, starting at 8:30.  Don't be late for this one, the Academy class gets there for graduation and there are a lot of them this time, so parking will be a challenge.  Carpool if you can.  We'll take a look in the trailer, check out the equipment available, and watch the HAM guys set up their own drill in the trailer,  We'll probably be underfoot, which may draw accurate small arms fire from the HAM Team, so a little cardio may be involved also.  If anyone feels like being a victim for the graduation drill after that, they might take you without the moulage and all that, we can ask.

Training Hours for May—Due today by 7:00pm.  Again, even if I saw you at our Team Meeting, you need to report it.  Don't worry about SPAMMING me, it's ok.

All for this week, questions, comments, you know..........

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 5/24/11

Good morning, here is the news, Battalion News follows:

Team Meeting—I'm giving serious thought to changing our meeting to Saturday, 4 June, down at NTC, starting about 8:30am.  It's graduation day for the Academy, so parking might be tight, but they will have the CERT trailer out and open.  If I can work this out, we can spend a few  minutes going through the contents of the trailer.  Most of our newer grads don't get to see the trailer at graduation, and many of you have not seen it in a long time (hint: if you still think we have axes, you need a fresh look).  Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in this, if I get more than about 5 people, we'll move the date.  Otherwise we'll stick with our 10 June date, Friday at the Senior Center, starting at 6.

Training Hours—It's time to pull together your training hours for this month, I'll ask for them next week.  Even if I saw you at some qualified event, including our Team Meeting, you have to send me a note.  You are responsible for tracking and reporting everything you attend for CERT, to include Date, Time, Title of the class, Instructor and number of hours.  Generally Red Cross approved classes such as CPR/AED and First Aid qualify for Continuing Education, for anything else if you are taking it solely for the credit, please ask me first so I can get it approved.

That's all for this month.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 5/17/11

Good morning, here is the news, Battalion News follows:

Team Meeting—The tenth falls on a Friday in June (yippee....).  We are in The Senior Center again.  This time I'm pretty sure we'll be in the Library, they'll be doing things in the main hall.  We'll shoot for 6:00 again, that seemed to work out well.

it is almost June—Yes, halfway through the year.  I don't have that many ICS certificates yet.  I know, it's a big chunk of time to get one of these done, I'm just giving up some mindless TV nights (Law and Order Criminally Redundant will just have to go on without me).  Please don't let it wait, that won't make it better, trust me.   If you have some technical issue I might help with drop me a note, I'll do my best.  Some of you are falling a bit behind on your training and/or team meetings, if you are having a lot of scheduling conflicts with CERT functions I need to know, we'll try to work something out.  You are all valuable to our program, and I want to keep everyone on board.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, you know how to find me.  Battalion News follows.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 5/10/11

Good morning, here is the news:

ICS/NIMS Online classes—I took my first one last week (IS-100b), and was really very impressed by the quality of the instruction, it's a thoroughly professional presentation that was very informative.  They walk you through successive screens of information, then ask a few review questions that are answered on the spot, and you get a chance to re-answer the question if you get it wrong.  Sometimes you are asked to simply type in your impressions or answers, then they give you possible answers, there is no "right" or "wrong" on these.  Then there is an occasional video.  They manage to provide a learning experience that works for nearly everyone without being overbearing, it's a pretty good trick.  A few technical issue, sometimes their feedback is short, sometimes there is quite a bit of it, you have to be sure to scroll down on every screen whether or not it looks like there is something there.  Also, once you get started, you can't drop it and come back later unless you leave your browser open to where you were in the instruction, this is one time I would have appreciated it if they dropped a session cookie on me so I could come back to it later and start where I left off.

I strongly urge you to get started on these if you have not, they are required as you know, and there is good reason for that.  Pretty much every First Responder in the Country is required to know these concepts.  They will be invaluable when the Day comes.  Here is the list of required classes:

100b

200

700a

704

800b

You can access these courses here:

http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp

There is no signup on the CERT web site.

It's good stuff, trust me.  get on it.  Do remember to save your certificates as PDF files, so you can send them electronically to your Team Leader.

SD CERT Refresher—Still taking registrations, Saturday, 25 June 10-2, at our training facilities at NTC.

https://apps.sandiego.gov/ereg/cert/courses.php?grp=SDFD+Refreshers

If you aren't sure if you need a Refresher, drop your Team Leader a note today, please don't wait on this.

Volunteer Victims—Still needed for Academy Graduation, 4 June.  Know any Sumo Wrestlers?  Sign 'em up, these guys need a challenge, right?  Seriously, all types and ages wanted.  The makeup is really cool, but as I understand it if you really don't want the makeup, that's good too.  Have them go here:

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

to sign up.

Academy 27, Register for Notification—No, we don't have the next Academy on the Calendar yet, but if you know someone who  is interested, have them go here:

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

where they can register to be notified as soon as the next Academy opens for registration.  Registering for notification does NOT register Candidates for the Academy, when they get the notification they have to follow the link to sign up.  I think this is probably the only way to get in to the very popular Thursday night session these days, so tell your friends and co-workers this is the way to go if they want to join CERT.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, drop your Team Leader a note.

Red Cross Backpacks @ Costco

Red Cross Backpacks @ Costco: "

Here’s a great gift idea for those that keep meaning to get prepared that never quite get around to it. One for the car, one at work, one at home.

"

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 5/4/11

Good morning, a day late, here is the news:

Team Meeting— Tuesday, 10 May.  At the Senior Center, Mira Mesa Blvd. between Westonhill and Camino Ruiz.  I intended to swing by there yesterday to confirm our reservation and get the time moved from 5:30-6:30 to 6-7, but that didn't happen.  If I get in there today, I'll send a confirming note this afternoon.  I think we will discuss ICS as opposed to having a drill.  It might be good to talk about the thinking behind the model, and how we would relate in a larger organization during a large incident.  I know some of you have taken all or some of the required online courses, feel free to come and share your experience.  See you there!

Battalion News follows.  Maybe not right away, but I'll get it done.  Questions, comments, drop me a note.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 4/26/11

Good morning, here is the news, Battalion News follows:

Training Reports Due—Any training you took this last month, or anything you have scheduled on Saturday, please let me know via email by this Friday close of business.  As always, I need the title of the course, instructor, date and the number of hours.

Team Meeting—Tuesday, 10 May, Verne Goodwin Senior Center, 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd.  Between Westonhill and Camino Ruiz, remember you have to approach this place from the East (traveling West), unless you have a very substantial vehicle and a contempt for median barriers (and little regard for local traffic laws, let's talk about this).  I'm going to check in with management there about having our meeting from 6:00 to 7:00, as several of you come from a ways away to get here.  Of course, if you have a problem going until 7, now is the time to weight in.  I should have some news on what we are doing next week, a little busy this one.  Your ideas are always welcome.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 4/19/11

Good morning, here is the Team News.  Battalion News follows:

Team Meeting—Tuesday, 10 May.   We'll be meeting in the  Verne Goodwin Senior Center, on Mira Mesa Blvd. between Camino Ruiz and Westonhill.  These great people found us some space, really hard to come by these days as so many of our City facilities close at night.  Meeting starts at 5:30.  I know a few of you have told me that you have a problem with the 5:30 time slot and would prefer 6-7, I might be able to get this changed for subsequent meetings (I'll have to ask the folk at the Senior Center, we have four more meetings scheduled there this year).  Please let me know if you have a vote one way or the other.  Not sure what we will do yet, but I think we are way due for some ICS work, so that will probably be it.

Cinco de Mayo—We have a booth at the Old Town festival.  Saturday and Sunday, 4/30-5/1.  No, it's not on Cinco de Mayo, never is unless the day falls on a weekend.  I'll have more on this in the Battalion News.  It's a pretty good recruiting opportunity, if you have some time for this, please give it some thought.  We don't have much detail yet, but as I remember shifts are usually two hours.  Sign up here:

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

Roster Update—I am churning through a long-overdue roster update.  If any of your contact information has changed over the last year, please drop me a note.

That's all for now, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 4/12/11

Good morning, here is the news.  Battalion news follows:

Team Meeting— Tuesday, 10 [May], at the Mira Mesa Senior Center, starting at 5:30.  We'll be in the Library/Media Room, not a huge facility, but it should hold us.  Frankly, I haven't thought a lot about this one, last Sunday's drill ate up a lot of "volunteer" hours.  I think maybe I will cobble together an ICS table top drill, other teams have been doing this, and it works.  I'll have more next week, as well as directions to the Senior Center.

Thanks to everyone who made it to the drill/meeting last Sunday, I thought it went pretty well.

That's all for this week (hey, they can't all have content like the New York Times).  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 4/5/11

Good morning, here is our Team News.  Battalion News follows:

Team Meeting—This Sunday, 10 April 2011.  Carmel Valley Recreation Center:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3777+Townsgate+Drive,+San+Diego,+CA+92130&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.891082,135.087891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=3777+Townsgate+Dr,+San+Diego,+California+92130&z=17

Please RSVP for this meeting.  If we need more equipment, we can get it.

We will start PROMPTLY at 1:00, and go until about 3:30.  Yes, that's 2 1/2 hours, as we all know practicing rescue techniques takes time.  This is a Battalion 5 meeting, so we'll have people in from Teams North Coastal and Carmel Valley.  We've got a good mix of skills training planned, including:

* General rescue principles (just a few things they don't tell you in Academy)

* Effective size-up

* Transporting on litter

* Transporting with backboard

* Other carry techniques

*  Extraction with cribbing

*  Extraction when you don't have cribbing

* Common knots

Several of you have been after me for awhile to throw some knot practice into the mix, so we'll give that a try here.  I know some of you really aren't crazy about the Rescue practice, yes, it can be hard.  But really, if you don't want to practice Rescue, then you need to be at this meeting.  Remember our unofficial motto at CERT "Bring all you  have, do what you can".  We'll need you on the Day, and that will be the wrong time to find out what you can and cannot do.  My solemn promise, you will NOT be required to do anything you don't feel comfortable with.  So drop me a reply email and plan to be there.

That's all, questions, comments, drop me a note. Battalion News might be a bit later today (why yes, I DO have  a day job), but I should get it out before COB.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 3/22/11

Good Morning, here is the Team News.  Battalion News later in a separate mail:

DSW Renewals—These are due in at the end of them month.   I'm going to grind through the requirements in the Battalion News that will be coming out later this morning with any luck at all.  Those of you who are recent graduates, I should have all of the info you need in there.  If you have questions or need my help with this, drop me a note.

April Team Meeting—10 April, Sunday, 1:00pm at the Carmel Valley Rec Center.  We're doing a joint meeting in April with the other teams in Battalion 5, North Coastal and Carmel Valley.  We'll practice basic search and rescue skills, and possibly utility shutoff.  I will ask for RSVP two weeks before the event, we'll want to plan our activities for the size of the crew we have.  Great chance to meet people from our sister teams in the Battalion and work with them.

Communication Plan—We did a bunch of work on this in our meeting two months ago, and I have not touched it since, so of course now it's real fresh.  I may have some time over the next week to write that up.  For those of you who participated and are waiting for the result, sorry for the delay and thanks for your patience.

That's all for this week, questions, comment, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 3/15/11

Good morning, here is the news.  Remember, you'll get another email from me later with the Battalion-wide stuff in it.

April Team Meeting—10 April, Sunday.  We're doing a joint meeting in April with the other teams in Battalion 5, North Coastal and Carmel Valley.  Right now we're planning to have it at the Carmel Valley Recreation Center.  I'd like to shoot for a 1:00 start time, plan on two hours.  I think we will need RSVP for this one, we'll want to be sure to bring enough equipment to keep everyone busy.  We'll practice basic rescue skills, including extraction, stabilizing the patient, loading, unloading and transport.  Please get this one on your calendar if you possibly can, I would like to have you all meet our other Team Leaders  Greg Hom (North Coastal) and Preston Drake (Carmel Valley), one of them could be at the helm on The Day, and you should get to know them.  I'm going to get moving on coordinating this one with Greg and Preston over the next few days, and should have most of the details next week.

Last Month's Radio Drill—Somehow I don't think we got quite as good a coverage, but it wasn't bad.  here's what I think we learned:

·         We can still cover most of Mira Mesa with FRS radio, and buildings don't seem to make much of a difference, but if you are behind even the slightest terrain feature, you need to move.

·         Antenna position is important, straight up and down is best, and it seems that standing actually helps, the higher the better.

·         If you are in  a car, even stopped (you guys did STOP right?), it's probably best to get out of it to transmit

·         I was wrong about the radios, the $10 ones don't seem to work as well.  You probably need to invest over $20.

·         I have talked to the Teams on either side of us East to West (Carmel Valley and Scripps Ranch) and in those areas FRS is nearly useless except for close proximity work such as a search/rescue.  They are going HAM.  Expensive, but much, much better.

Upcoming Meetings—I was finally able to book the Senior Center for several of our meetings this year.  Great people in that place, they are all-volunteer.  I admit it's not on the top of my list, but I'm going to try to get the rest of the Year's Calendar for our Team finalized by the end of this month.  Next week I intend to post a preliminary plan in this Update with dates, times, locations and tentative subject for your review and comments.  Who knows, I might even get it posted on the CERT web site (Whoa, easy there Steve).

That's all for this week, questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve