Neat Product: GlovePaq™

Here is the link to a product called GlovePaq which I found at the Mira Mesa Home Depot for under six dollars! GlovePaq™

It allows you to clip 5 pairs of Nitrile Gloves to your belt, Go-Bag, vest or even put in a pocket so that they are always handy. They dispense one glove at a time, cuff first and are made of medical grade Nitrile which are tougher that latex gloves. The dispenser comes with a refill pack, so you actually get 10 pairs of gloves for one low price.

Repost of the S.T.A.R.T. system

Previously posted on November 25, 2008

Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment Training

Here is a great website with detailed instructions in using the START system. http://www.citmt.org/start/default.htm

If you just want to see videos of the various phases of START, click the following links in order. http://www.citmt.org/start/video/resp.wmv
http://www.citmt.org/start/video/perfus.wmv
http://www.citmt.org/start/video/mental.wmv

Safety in the After Disaster Environment

Safety in the After Disaster Environment: "

	Safety in the After Disaster Environment Department of Homeland Security US Fire Academy prepnet (EENET) DVD Library CERT Training - "Safety in the After Disaster Environment" Air Date: February 15, 2006. This broadcast prepares Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) members for the types of hazards encountered after a disaster and discusses safety while working in the disaster affected area. E202	From: PublicResourceOrg Views: 351 2 ratings
	Time: 31:48	More in Education

"

Scanning documents for your Emergency Survival Kit

Scanning documents for your Emergency Survival Kit: "

As we’ve mentioned here before, September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide effort to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies. One of the most crucial aspects of preparation for an emergency is having the right supplies – an Emergency Survival Kit.

The Ready America website encourages everyone to prepare an emergency survival kit with basics such as fresh water, food, a dust mask, and medical supplies. Also included on the survival kit checklist is a collection of important documents such as copies of insurance policies, personal identification, bank account records. In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, would you be able to quickly locate and pack all of these documents without putting yourself or your family at greater risk?

Digitize and secure your important family documents. In addition to having all of your paper documents stored in a safe place, you could also have a portable, digital library of your family’s important information, in the event of an emergency such as a fire or flood. Imagine having your entire family’s birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, and financial information all archived onto a tiny portable USB drive, packed in your Survival Kit and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Visit the Ready.gov website to learn more about creating an Emergency Survival Kit for your family.

"

"Are You Ready?"

United States Fire Academy "Are You Ready?" Air Date: January 18, 2006.

Included in this program are 3 20-minute segments:

1) one family's story on preparedness including building 3-day kits

2) an instructional video explaining proper protocol in setting up a portable generator while minimizing the risk of fire and eliminating carbon monoxide fumes

3) information regarding flash floods

I haven't watched the entire video yet but the intro looked very professional and easy to understand for anyone. Here's the link to this 58 minute movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaG7ii_tSTU

Fire Fighting "grenade"

Here's a neat idea, a throwable device for house fires! TV report on the YouTube link below.

Fire Fighting Grenade

Texting after a disaster

Texting after a disaster: "

Here is a link to an article discussing communication options during an emergency. Normal phone lines may be jammed but cellular and web-based phones would still work.

Go to the Safe America link (on the right hand side) for additional information. They have a tutorial on the use of texting for emergency communications.

"

New CERT-kits store and neat product

Here is a new product you might like from a new CERT store I found online.

http://www.cert-kits.com/ez-towels-in-a-tube.html

Ten multi-purpose hand towels in a tube the sized of a pack of Mentos. Easy to carry in your CERT bag.

Neat Glow Sticks with whistle

A great addition to any emergency kit, the Life Gear glow stick with whistle fits easily in a glove compartment or backpack.

LED glow stick runs up to 200 hrs on 3 AG-13 batteries (included)

Glow stick features an emergency flasher mode

Located on the back end of the stick is a standard white LED for use as a flashlight

Remove the cap on the tip of the glow stick to reveal a whistle that will certainly get everyone's attention

$5.95 at REI

Current Rules for CERT/DSW cards

Just as a quick reminder, the requirements for the CERT/DSW card state that you have to attend two team meetings and two continuing education events every year. Our drills and meetings are meant to fulfill those requirements.

The final requirement for the card is that once every two years, you must attend a refresher training put on by San Diego CERT.

San Diego CERT has stated that failing to meet these requirements means that you will not be reissued a CERT/DSW card. If your card expires, San Diego CERT has stated that you will have to take the CERT academy again before a new card can be issued.

CERT National Newsletter Digest

In this issue of the CERT newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 2, you will read about the Hamden, CONN CERT training on public safety officer rehabilitation and on-scene victim care. Another story "CERT Programs: Rural and Urban" describes the similarities CERT members receive in both locations and also the challenges both communities are faced with. The article on Teen CERT is a compilation of five individuals from across the country who conduct Teen CERT in their local communities.

Here's the link: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/newsletter.shtm

Mother's Day meeting + Quarterly meetings

The Tenth of the Month falls on Mother's Day this month so we will only have a short meeting - Happy Mother's Day! Remember our CERT principles: Family First!

However if you can make it, there will be a one-hour max meeting at 3pm at the Carl's Jr on Camino Ruiz just north of Mira Mesa Blvd.

Here is also a thought that I had based on the fact that we have to identify our monthly get-togethers as either drills or meetings but not both. What do you think about two drills and one meeting in a three-month cycle?

CERT National Newsletter

Dear CERT Community,

The CERT National Program Office is pleased to announce the release of the April 2009 quarterly "CERT National Newsletter." This edition features stories on local CERT programs across the country and news and information from the CERT National Program Office. Click on the following link to read and download the newsletter:
http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/newsletter.shtm.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter. If you know of others who would be interested in receiving CERT National newsletters or CERT updates, please have them subscribe at the following website: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/subscribe.shtm.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

CERT National Program Office Community Preparedness Division
Federal Emergency Management Agency

2009 CERT Events Calendar

Hi MM CERT members!

The 2009 Calendar of Events has been emailed to you. Please note that there is only one more Refresher drill this year on July 25th. So if your certification will expire before 2010, then make sure that you get to that one.

February Mira Mesa CERT Drill

Just a quick wrap-up of our 10th of the month drill which focused on Mass Casualty Incident / Medical Triage. As always, we met at the team rally point at the Mira Mesa Rec Center near SDFD's Station 38.

THE DRILL SCENARIO: Scripps, Poway and Penasquitos CERT's have been activated due to a military plane crash and resulting brush fire. They are being tasked with search, rescue and evacuation duties. Mira Mesa CERT has been tasked as SDFD's CERT Division 4 and will handle Medical Triage duties. The American Red Cross will take over those duties in approximately 4 hours when they have established their shelter in Mira Mesa High School. Transport of the victims to our location will be handled by the other CERT Divisions. We could expect helo pickup of our most critical victims in about an hour and will need to provide transport to MMHS of the remainder once ARC is ready to receive them. Note: THIS WAS A DRILL NOT AN INCIDENT!

We worked through what was needed for a full Triage area with check-in, treatment areas based upon our location and available facilities including knocking on doors and asking for blankets, etc. We also determined how curbside intake and confirmation of Triage status, transport to appropriate Triage area would be handled. Triage teams to perform detailed, once-over exams and periodic re-evaluations of victims were discussed. Out-bound transport including what would be needed for a Helo Landing Zone were also worked out. We also learned that even sunny San Diego can get cold... LOL. Having the right gear available is essential over the almost 2 hours we were there.

Join us next 10th of the month whether you are part of the Mira Mesa team or some other CERT - everyone is welcome but bring your Go-Bag because we "Practice like we mean it!"