Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 10/26/10

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

Team Meeting—10 November, 5:30-6:30 at my house, 10125 Baffin Drive (near Jade Coast and Camino Ruiz).  Good one this time, it turns out that our own Bradley Buffett is a Sierra Club veteran and an expert on packing a backpack.  Yes, there is a right and wrong way to do this, and doing it right can make all the difference when you deploy.  Bring your own pack loaded for deployment, and your callout bag if you keep one ready to go, wearing PPE is not required.  Also, if you have a small folding chair and can bring it, we're always a little short.  If Bradley doesn't take up the whole time slot, I'll bring everyone outside for a little utility shutoff review.  This will be a good meeting, we look forward to seeing you there.

Opt-In Addresses—Thanks to all who contacted me with your preferences.  If you have not indicated yet whether or not you want your street address shared with the Team, please do so by reply email.

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

Academy 25 Final Drill—We need some victims!  We're still way short on sign-ups for this.  Saturday, November 6, 7:00am—12:30pm at the NTC.  Children as young as 12 can participate with a parent/guardian present.  In the past they have done some really nasty makeup, this is a fun activity for a truly worthy cause.  I'll be there snapping a few pictures, and I'll be happy to size and send one to anyone who sends me an email.   Oh, and we still need some volunteers for administration also.  Go here to sign up for either activity:

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

Academy is our lifeblood, let's support it.

Occasional Rant: Cool rain in October, yeah, you bet we love it.  Really knocks the fire danger down.  But let's all remember we aren't out of this yet, traditionally not until way into November.  So stay ready.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, talk to your Team Leader, communication is our best friend.

-Steve

Fairfax County CERT: 72 hour kit form COSTCO -- Great Price

Fairfax County CERT: 72 hour kit form COSTCO -- Great Price

CERT National Newsletter Oct 2010

The CERT National Program Office is pleased to announce the release of the October 2010 quarterly "CERT National Newsletter."  This edition features stories on Haiti CERT’s response to the devastating earthquake and national emergency response efforts during natural disasters from local CERT programs across the country. Click on the following link to read and download the newsletter: CERT National Newsletter for October 2010.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter. If you know of others who would be interested in receiving CERT news and updates, please have them subscribe at the following website: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/subscribe.shtm.
 
Sincerely,

 

CERT National Program Office
Individual & Community Preparedness Division

Federal Emergency Management Agency

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County Joins Nation's First Test of New Text Alert System

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October 15, 2010
Local agencies are coordinating with the Office of Emergency Services to participate in the first test of the Commercial Mobile Alert System, or CMAS, a national system which uses new technology to automatically send text messages with emergency information to cell phones.
“The County is a leader in using mass notifications in disasters, so it is exciting for us to help develop the latest technology,” said Supervisor Greg Cox, District 1. “CMAS will allow us to reach more people with critical information in an emergency.”

Video: Alert system tested

Supervisor Cox was joined by Congresswoman Susan Davis and state and local officials Friday at the Office of Emergency Services to demonstrate how CMAS works. The County is participating in the pilot program in partnership with Sprint and the California Emergency Management Agency.
“We’ll test CMAS throughout October, giving more than 100 phones to partners including the Sheriff’s Department, CAL FIRE and local military, to provide results to state and federal officials,” said Ron Lane, Director of the Office of Emergency Services.
CMAS is different than Reverse 911 and AlertSanDiego, which can only reach landlines as well as cell numbers that have been registered by the user. CMAS doesn’t use a database of numbers; instead, it can send a text message to any phone that has the new technology and can target phones located within an area impacted by a disaster.
CMAS may be available for public use in about a year. Until the technology is available, residents are encouraged to register their cell phone numbers with AlertSanDiego at ReadySanDiego.org.

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Mira Mesa Team Newsletter 10/13/10

Good morning, much to do yesterday, so we're a day late, here is the news:

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

Our Last Team Meeting—We discussed some of the realities of self-activation during a real mass disaster.   Several pointed out that it would be useful If each of us knew of other CERT team members who lived close by.  We value our members privacy, so we don't want to just haul off and share addresses around, that's why I'm asking each of you to notify me of your preferences:

*It is ok with me if the rest of the Team has my street address

*I want to share my address only with Team Members who live within a few blocks of me

* I don't want to share my address

Please pick one of these and tell me what to do, do NOT ignore this one, it's important.  I'll publish the general results next week, and if it makes sense for everyone I will distribute that information.

Next Team Meeting—10 November, a Wednesday.  Library is unavailable (again), but I'm going to do my best to get us indoors.   Any suggestions for meeting places are very much appreciated.  I'm hoping to put together a wound care program, that seems to be needed.

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

Final Drill, Academy 25—This is coming up fast, if you can help out with registration, we'd love to see you there.  Also, it looks like we are still looking for a few victims, if the Drama King/Queen in your household is really looking for a chance to express themselves, this could be an opportunity.  In the past it has involved some very gruesome makeup, if your victim can find me after the drill I'll get a picture he/she can give to Mom.  Administrators and victims must sign up, go here:

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

NEW NOTIFY FEATURE ON THE SITE—We've really needed this for awhile, under Team Training/Activities we have a place where you can send people who are interested in the next Academy.  They can sign up there to get an email when the next Academy opens for registration.  This DOES NOT register anyone for the Academy, when an individual gets the email he/she must go through the registration process.  Please save this link:

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

to send to friends and associates.  I can't emphasize enough how effective this can be in getting our academies filled.  The last few have filled anyway, which is great, but we want to keep that momentum going, we always need new volunteers.

San Diego Project Heartbeat—This is a non-CERT event that SDFD is backing, along with the American Red Cross, The Heart Association and UC San Diego.  It is essentially a mini-course (30 minutes) they will teach hands-on CPR and basic use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's).  It is NOT a certificate course, you cannot get certified or re-certified with this one.  The idea is to give a large number of people at least basic knowledge.  Since we don't really do CPR in CERT, this might be all of the training you really need, I don't know, it's a personal choice.  To add some drama, and probably create a great PR opportunity, the event will be held on the flight deck of the Midway.  No, you don't get admission to the Midway either, but I guess they will sell you a discount ticket if you participate in the event.  Anyway, the event is on 5 December 2010, 9am to 5pm, you must register on the event website, go here:

http://www.cprprojectsandiego.com/

to get all of the details.  The thought of hundreds of dummies touring the country together is way too much good comic material for me to deal with, I'm going to stop now before I get in trouble.

That's all for this week, questions, comments, talk to your Team Leaders

-Steve

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

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

*****TEAM MIRA MESA**********

Team Meeting—Just dawned on me this morning that October 10 {Oct 1st - TJW} is an Air Show weekend.  I have not spent a lot of time on this because the Search CE next week has me pretty well involved.  I'll get it put together before the end of the month.  There has been some interest in running another rescue exercise similar to the 31 July drill.  If you want to do this again, or missed last time and want to do it, let me know.  Otherwise we might run an ICS exercise, it's been awhile since we did one of those.

Telephone Tree—This is complete, but we have had a volunteer drop out, so I could really use one more. We're talking about having to call probably six people and relaying exactly the same message, should take less than 10 minutes.   We are going to test the tree first week of October one way or the other.  I'm sure you all realize that this has the potential to be an unhappy fire season, so I really want to get this in place.  Sorry for all of the delays.  Once the tree works, I'll start working on an SMS system.

Mira Mesa Street Fair—I'll cover this in the Battalion news also, but I wanted to make a special pitch to the Mira Mesa team, it's in our backyard after all, and most of the potential candidates will be ours.  What I want to do is have enough people to run some cribbing exercises.  We'll have an easel sign up with some "What Are We Doing?" explanation, and at least one person in full gear handing out fliers.  Next Academy is already full, and we don't have a firm date for the next yet, so we'll have a sign-up sheet for interested people.  I'll call/email them personally when we have a firm Academy date and registration up on the site.  I think there are two shifts for this, and it should be good for a team meeting.  So, come help us out if you possibly can, we could use some more good people.

Haunted House CE—It's the last minute...no, really....OK, close then.  You have until this Friday to sign up for this, yes it's during the week, but it's a chance to get some solid search/rescue training in, and a CE, close to where you live.  You have until this Friday to register.  I can still use a few more victims for this also, we aren't doing the full warpaint deal, so it shouldn't be that bad.  If you know someone who wants to help, you can have them contact me directly.

*****BATTALION NEWS*********

Continuing Education, SEARCH AND RESCUE— Wednesday, 22 September 5:30—8:00pm.  At the Mira Mesa Haunted House in Mira Mesa.  We still have some slots open for this, but registration closes this Friday, yes, it's the last minute!  We have three different  search/rescue scenarios planned, and everyone will run all three scenarios, so there should be little boredom, but enough time to catch your breath.  Our exercises are designed to engage an entire team (we like to think of ourselves as "cruel but fair"), and we'll be evaluated by our fantastic firefighter instructors.  The Haunt will not be fully operational, but you will probably see a few things in there that you won't find in an average office/home.  Don't miss this one.  There is a map on the flier posted on the web site for those of you who have never been to Mira Mesa:

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

FULL Safety Gear required.  If it doesn't work, now is the time for you to find that out and make adjustments.

September Joint Team Meeting, Safe Return Program— This is a joint Team Meeting, not a CE, so you can still go, but you need to let your team leader know, as material packets are being produced for the class.  This is  a joint team meeting with Battalion 2.  Scheduled for 20 September, 6—8pm  down at NTC.  Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck DeLao will present the Safe Return program to us.  Funded by the Federal Government and sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association in association with MedicAlert, this is a 24-hour emergency response service for Alzheimer's patients and others who may wander off and become lost.  The program provides family notification services and coordinates the dissemination of  vital information to first responders.  In an emergency situation, CERT may be involved in the search for people who may have Alzheimer's.  Mr. DeLao will provide details of the program and information that will help us work with victims who may have Alzheimer's.  No sign-up on the web site for this, as it is a team meeting, but there is a meeting notice, go to:

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

Mira Mesa Street Fair—25 September 10am-4:30pm.  On Camino Ruiz, just North of Mira Mesa Blvd. (they block the street). This is the big yearly street fair in Mira Mesa, we understand that there are over 100 exhibitors, and there is a waiting list.  Great recruiting opportunity for all North County teams.  Apparently the Marines will not put in an appearance this year, the event may be too close to the Air Show.  So, no bomb-sniffing robots (hard enough to compete with children in cute costumes, you just can't top a bomb-sniffing robot).  Shifts are available 10-1 and 1-4:30.  BRING YOUR SAFETY GEAR.  To attract a little attention, we'll haul out hateful Big Heavy Dummy, pile on some debris, and get him out of there with a bit of cribbing. You only have to wear your gear if you participate in the cribbing drill. So, You get a chance to get some sun, and a little practice in a critical skill, how can you beat that?  Sign up on the web site:

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

Academy 25 Support—Yes, it's time to start another Academy, and as always we need help.  This one is FULL (YES!), so it's a lot of people to manage.  Additional help is needed for Administration Thursday night 30 September and Saturday morning 2 October.   This is volunteer hours only.  If you can spare a few cycles, we'd sure appreciate it.  Sign up on the web site:

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

That's all for this week, questions, comments, see your team leader.

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

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

Team Meeting— NO TEAM MEETING this Friday.  Next month the tenth falls on a Sunday, if you missed  the cribbing training we had last July and want to do it, or you did it in July and want to repeat, let me know.  We can do the exercise again, but I need to plan for it.

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

New Feature on Web Site—The registration search now pulls up all classes you are signed up for, all classes where you are wait listed, and recent classes you took.  To try it out, go to:

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

Click the registration search key (it's in the sentence right under the page headline) and type in the email address you use for registration.  Note that this history CANNOT be used in place of your own record keeping, as it is only a record of the classes you registered for, and does not indicate whether or not you attended.  If it helps you to remember a date, fine, but you are still responsible for reporting your hours every month to your Team Leader.

Academy 25—Applications are still being accepted for the Saturday class, which starts October 2 (Thursday is full).  Recruit your friends and neighbors, and send them to:

http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/cert/classes.shtml

for a schedule and application.

September Joint Team Meeting, Safe Return Program— If you are planning to go, please let your team leader know.  This is a joint team meeting a joint team meeting with Battalion 2.  Scheduled for 20 September, 6—8pm  down at NTC.  This is a TEAM MEETING, not a CE.  Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck DeLao will present the Safe Return program to us.  Funded by the Federal Government and sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association in association with MedicAlert, this is a 24-hour emergency response service for Alzheimer's patients and others who may wander off and become lost.  The program provides family notification services and coordinates the dissemination of  vital information to first responders.  In an emergency situation, CERT may be involved in the search for people who may have Alzheimer's.  Mr. DeLao will provide details of the program and information that will help us work with victims who may have Alzheimer's.  No sign-up on the web site for this, as it is a team meeting, but there is a meeting notice, go to:

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

Continuing Education, SEARCH AND RESCUE— Wednesday, 22 September 5:30—8:00pm.  We'll be running Search and Rescue exercises on the Mira Mesa Haunted House structure.  The "Haunt" was constructed last weekend, and will be repainted next weekend.    We'll have at least three different situations, and the plan is to have everyone who participates do all three.  You can sign up for this now on the web site:

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

FULL Safety Gear required.  If it doesn't work, now is the time for you to find that out and make adjustments.

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

-Steve

Scanners May Be Your Only Option To Know If Help Is On The Way

Scanners May Be Your Only Option To Know If Help Is On The Way: "

In CERT, we learn 'Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.' (www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about)

You call 911 and you are unable to get through. How do you know if help is arriving and how bad is the situation?

One option is to find your local emergency agency on a scanner. The following website provides live feeds from across the country.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/

For additional tips, visit http://www.facebook.com/citizencorps

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Editor's Note:

This website provides close to real-time radio messages for a variety of emergency responders (such as police and fire) and ham radio repeaters. Just find the feed you would like to hear and click on the speaker icon to find out what is going on. I compared this with my radios and found that they were only about 2 seconds behind the actual radio calls.

Terry Walters

CERT Mira Mesa/Battalion 5 News and Updates

********MIRA MESA NEWS*********

Training Hours—Today is the last day to turn your training hours in for the month.

Monthly Meeting—No monthly meeting for Mira Mesa this month.  You are invited to join us for the joint meeting with Battalion 2, details below.  This counts as a Team Meeting.

October Meeting—The Tenth falls on a Sunday in October.  We might run the rescue drill we did in July again, that was very popular.

November Meeting—This is a Wednesday.  Several requests for a review of Wound Care, that's where I am leaning with this one.  Your comments for this and the October meeting are welcome.

Telephone Tree— I know, I know, still not done, and fire season coming down on us like a wave.  Soon, I promise.

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

Academy 25—Thursday class is now full.  Applications are still being accepted for the Saturday class, which starts October 2.  Now is the time to think about who you would want on your team when disaster strikes, and perhaps take a moment from your day to speak to him/her about CERT.  We are an all-volunteer organization, constantly changing as time passes, and we need more people to grow.  We ALL want that class to start full, jammed to the walls, and we want those people to be new recruits for Battalion 5 (hey, the other Battalions can want that too).  So put on your recruiting hats, and send everyone to:

http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/cert/classes.shtml

for a schedule and application.

Continuing Education—Ready or Not Survival Seminar, Thursday 9 September, 11:30—1:30.  At Qualcomm in Building Q, 6455 Lusk Blvd.  Building Q is the former Design Center, corner of Lusk and Pacific Center.  This course conducted by Tom Beasley and Susan Coniry, survivalists and authors of "Ready or Not, a Disaster Survival Handbook".  It's a lot of fun, Mr. Beasley  likes to set fire to things (don't worry, he knows what he's doing).  Please Note: If you have taken this course for CE credit  in the last 12 months, you cannot take it again for CE credit.    Go to the web site to sign up:

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

September Joint Team Meeting, Safe Return Program— We would like to get a head count for this, if you are planning to go, please let your team leader know.  This is a joint team meeting a joint team meeting with Battalion 2.  Scheduled for 20 September, 6—8pm  down at NTC.  This is a TEAM MEETING, not a CE.  Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck DeLao will present the Safe Return program to us.  Funded by the Federal Government and sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association in association with MedicAlert, this is a 24-hour emergency response service for Alzheimer's patients and others who may wander off and become lost.  The program provides family notification services and coordinates the dissemination of  vital information to first responders.  In an emergency situation, CERT may be involved in the search for people who may have Alzheimer's.  Mr. DeLao will provide details of the program and information that will help us work with victims who may have Alzheimer's.  No sign-up on the web site for this, as it is a team meeting, but there is a meeting notice. 

Continuing Education, SEARCH AND RESCUE— Wednesday, 22 September 5:30—8:00pm.  We'll be running Search and Rescue exercises on the Mira Mesa Haunted House structure.  Many of you are probably familiar with the Mira Mesa Haunted House, now in its ninth year.  The "Haunt" as they call it is a temporary free-standing building constructed entirely of plywood and stud lumber, about 4,000 feet altogether, located in the Target Shopping Center, corner of Mira Mesa Blvd. and Camino Ruiz.  The shell of the structure will be constructed over the Labor Day Weekend this year.  For the first several weeks after construction, most of the building is fairly empty while props are built and electrical/air is pulled in.  The people running the Haunt have graciously allowed CERT to use the building for a search/rescue exercise.  We'll have at least three different situations, and the plan is to have everyone who participates do all three.  You can sign up for this now on the web site:

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

We're still working on getting a flier posted, should be this week.

If you want to show the Haunt how much we appreciate this, and you don't mind lifting, carrying and construction, make plans to join us on 4 September at about 9am for the start of construction.  I'll be out there myself for most of the day.  Full safety gear is not required, but gloves are a really good idea, so are goggles, and of course WATER.  The Haunt Committee needs to empty out two semi-trailers (yes, it's a big deal) and get most of the shell constructed.  They do much of this work with high-school age volunteers putting in Community Service hours.  There are NEVER enough responsible adults, and if you have a cordless drill and know how to use it, you are golden, they put this together with a few thousand drywall screws.  Again, let your Team Leader know that you want to do this, I will send you more details. 

Last, if you want to know more about the Haunted House, maybe even buy a ticket or two (it's really something, believe me), visit their web site:

http://www.monstermanor.org/

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

-Steve

LAFD’s Brian Humphrey, Emergency 2.0 Pioneer, Urges Responder Agencies In Video “To Get In The [Social Media] Pool” — “If It Works In LA, It Can Work In Your Town Too”

LAFD’s Brian Humphrey, Emergency 2.0 Pioneer, Urges Responder Agencies In Video “To Get In The [Social Media] Pool” — “If It Works In LA, It Can Work In Your Town Too”: "

A major highlight of the Red Cross Emergency Data Summit earlier this month for me was meeting in person someone I have known — and have learned from — remotely for the last several years, Brian Humphrey from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Brian has been a pioneer in the use of personal technology by government emergency officials to inform and engage the public.

Brian and his fellow LAFD public information officers manage an unparalleled social media operation in the government emergency field, including a blog about to hit three million visits and a Flickr site with seven million views. The Department recently split its Twitter account in two: @LAFD, which is reserved for fire and accident reports, and @LAFDTalk, which people can use to ask questions about fire extinguishers or whatever else fire-related is on their minds. Brian gave a terrific presentation at the Red Cross event about his work that can be found on C-SPAN’s website.

In the two-and-a-half minute video below, I asked Humphrey what he would tell other emergency responder agencies, which have not yet embraced social media in their work, ”I encourage agencies and people to jump in the water. That doesn’t mean enter head first. But get in the pool.” He urges a patient approach in which officials listen, absorb information initially. But he points out social media is a “force multiplier” for emergency agencies in distributing and gathering information. And he notes: “If it works in Los Angeles, it can work in your town too.”

Humphrey cites an example of social media’s usefulness in the wake of the stampede at Germany’s Love Parade at which 18 people died. He says that in similar types of events, LAFD uses social media to monitor the situation before it gets out of hand. He also urges the public to sign up for their local government text/email alerts, which offer an opportunity to get emergency information even before its delivered by the traditional media.

LAFD Public Information Officer Brian Humphrey discusses the use of social media and personal technology in the emergency services.

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A Job Opening That’s ‘Ready’ To Be Filled Immediately: Elected Official Needed To Take Lead On Citizen Preparedness

A Job Opening That’s ‘Ready’ To Be Filled Immediately: Elected Official Needed To Take Lead On Citizen Preparedness: "

During the time that I have covered the topic of citizen emergency preparedness, one of the most surprising things I’ve found is that there is no major elected official who has taken the lead on the issue.

It’s surprising for a number of reasons: natural disasters and terrorism dominate the headlines and will continue to for the foreseeable future; citizen preparedness is pretty much unassailable, bipartisan, patriotic and community-building topic; and even the smallest interest in Washington has at least one political champion (but not public preparedness). And, with much to do, there is a great opportunity to have a positive policy and political impact.

Yet, there is no elected official who has taken the lead on the issue which is one of the reasons why the nation still has not made appropriate progress on it. Citizen preparedness requires some political leader who will make sure it is not ignored in the legislative process as it has been to date. In fact, I would argue the lack of political leadership is one reason why citizen preparedness has not received requisite attention from the government, the media and the public.

So, is there any elected official is interested in the job? Or, do readers have any ideas of who should do it?

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