Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

February Hours are Due—Please send in your volunteer hours for February. If you attended the Team Meeting, please drop me a note to record it, even thought I saw you there. Thanks


No Team Meeting in March—I plan to march in the Parade on the 17th. If you march in the Parade, you will get credit for a Team Meeting. More on the Parade in Battalion News. If you need a Team Meeting, but don't want to do the Parade, you can attend another Team's meeting. Drop me a note if that is something you want to do.


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


-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good afternoon, here is the news:

Team Meeting—We are not having a Team Meeting in March. I will be at the St. Patrick's Day Parade on 17 March, so if you attend that you will get credit for a Team Meeting. April we're back in the Senior Center, we'll have an ICS exercise. I have seen several now, really didn't like any of them, your thoughts are welcome. Since we all just crushed our way through the NIMs classes, I'm thinking this will be interesting.

Oh, and I finally got our meetings on the web site (Wow Steve, what's it been, 2 1/2 years now and you finally got to this?). There are some corrections, we always go 6-7 for example, but those should be up soon. Go here to check it out:

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


Parade Banner—As Battalion Liaison I seem to be stuck with coming up with a parade banner for Battalion 5 (Battalion 5, that's us, North Coastal and Carmel Valley). Battalion 2 had one last year, so everyone who watched thought we were all in Battalion 2, and I really can't have that again. I've done some reading on this, it's quite a science (felt vs. vinyl, stick on letters vs. paint etc.). If this kind of thing is one of your strengths, drop me a note, I could use the help.


That's all for now, hours due next week, Battalion News follows, might be tomorrow morning. Questions, comments.........


-Steve

National Community / Neighborhood Exercise Series

Formidable Footprint - A National Community / Neighborhood Exercise Series | Projects | Disaster Rescue - Disaster Resistant Communities Group - Tabletop Exercise - Functional Exercise - Full-Scale Exercise - Drill - Local Mitigation Strategy - Local Mitigation Plan - Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan - Active Shooter Exercise - Hurricane Exercise - Recovery Exercise



Hey gang this is neat! Online exercises to keep us sharp. We should be doing this on a regular basis. Does San Diego CERT know about this?

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, and Happy Valentine's Day.  Here is the news:

Team Meeting—No Meeting scheduled for March 10.  I plan to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade the following Saturday, 17 March.  Anyone who marches in the Parade will get credit for a Team Meeting.  More about the Parade in the Battalion News.

That's it for this week.  Battalion News follows, probably sometime today.  Stay Safe.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Our meeting will be 9 February, 6:00pm in the Senior Center, on Mira Mesa Blvd North side between Reagan Rd./New Salem and Camino Ruiz.  The parking lot for the Senior Center/EpiCenter is not connected to any of the others, so you really need to be traveling West on Mira Mesa Blvd. to get in there.  We'll end promptly at 7:00.  Wound care again, this is basically the same thing we did last year, and once again the emphasis will be on everyone getting actual practice.  We have the Academy training kit, so there will be plenty of materials to practice with, but by all means bring your own for show and tell and if you want to try it out.

Calendar for 2012—Here is what we have for 2012.  Please put these dates on your calendar, but remember that we need to be flexible.  A date can change, or we can drop a meeting when it makes good sense to do so.   Please look these dates over carefully and let me know if you see potential conflicts I may have missed.

9 February (Thursday)—posted above

17 March (Saturday)—St. Patrick's Day Parade.  I'll have more on this in the Battalion News, there is a schedule conflict with an important CE.  I plan to attend the parade, so it will count as a Team Meeting.

10 April (Tuesday)— At the Senior Center.  We will do an Incident Command exercise.

9 May (Wednesday)—moved back one day to avoid Mother's Day.  Annual FRS Radio Drill.  We will end at our rally point in the Park near the Rec Center.

10 June (Sunday)—annual Battalion 5 joint rescue drill.  This will probably be someplace else other than our rally point, very likely at the Carmel Valley Rec Center where we were last year.

10 July (Tuesday)—No exercise planned, but  I really want to do the knock-knock drill we discussed before.  The emphasis is on talking to neighbors and explaining your role as CERT in a real catastrophe. We might pair up where it makes sense to do so.   More on this when I  can spend more time putting it together.  We have the Senior Center reserved, if we can't put together the knock-knock we'll look at doing something else.

9 August (Thursday)—We have the Senior Center reserved, no exercise planned yet.

15 September—Mira Mesa Street Fair.  You'll get credit for a Team Meeting if you work an hour at the Street Fair.  Last year we had just enough people (with help from Scripps Ranch) to do a few transport and cribbing exercises on the street in front of our space, which got us a large number of interested people, and as a result 4-5 potential candidates coming out of this next Academy.  I call this "results".  If you can possibly make this one, please do, we can use you, you'll most likely get a little rescue practice in, and we have a good chance of growing our Team.

10 October (Wednesday)—No Meeting Scheduled. We hope that we can pull off the Haunt drill again.  I won't know about this until mid-Summer at earliest, that's when the Haunt Committee puts out their floor plan and I can write a proposal.

8 November (Thursday)—Moved to avoid the Veteran's day holiday.  We have the Senior Center reserved.  This will probably be my ever popular (in my mind at least) talk on electrical/gas/mechanical safety.

10 December (Monday)—No exercise planned, if we have this we'll probably take a look at the Calendar for 2013 and float some ideas.  Senior Center reserved.

That's all for this week, Battalion News follows, probably late morning or early afternoon.  Questions, comments, you know how to find me.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—Our meeting will be 9 February, 6:00pm in the Senior Center, on Mira Mesa Blvd North side between Reagan Rd./New Salem and Camino Ruiz.  The parking lot for the Senior Center/EpiCenter is not connected to any of the others, so you really need to be traveling West on Mira Mesa Blvd. to get in there.  We'll end promptly at 7:00.  We'll be doing a wound care review using the Academy training equipment, but feel free to bring some of your own stuff it if you want to try it.  I have a fair amount of very tightly wrapped conformal bandage that I purchased online, but I've never used one, so I plan to get one of those out and see if it actually works, now that I've carried them around for over a year.  See you there!

Team Hours for January—I'm going to send our team report to everyone this afternoon.  I know a couple of us did NOT report the refresher they went to, that's a good way to not get credit for it.  If you reported your hours, you should have a reply from me by now.  Please stay on top of this stuff folks.

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

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

Team Meeting—The great folks at the Senior Center confirmed our calendar for 2012, so we will have several of our meetings there this year.  Also in 2012, I have moved a few of our meetings away from the tenth to avoid potential issues that might lower our attendance and cause issues for the Senior Center staff.  Our meeting will be 9 February, 6:00pm in the Senior Center, on Mira Mesa Blvd North side between Reagan Rd./New Salem and Camino Ruiz.  The parking lot for the Senior Center/EpiCenter is not connected to any of the others, so you really need to be traveling West on Mira mesa Blvd. to get in there.  We'll end promptly at 7:00.  If I can get my hands on the Wound Care training module, we'll do wound care, otherwise we'll come up with something.

Team Hours—No meeting this month, but I know quite a few of us attended the refresher.  Don't forget to send in your hours, by next Tuesday close of business please.

All for this week, battalion news follows, it may be afternoon before I get it finished.

-Steve

Mira Mesa Team Newsletter

Good morning, here is the news:

NIMs Certificates—I think I have tried to correspond with all of you who have not finished these yet.  It seems like most of us are in pretty good shape.  You will need to send me five certificates, all dated on or before this Saturday, 21 January 2012.  In the days following this next Saturday, our Program Manager will direct me to drop anyone who has not finished from our roster.  I will not have any choice in this, there it is.  Put on a kick folks, we are a small but mighty team, and we can't afford to lose anybody.  Those of you who graduated Academy in this last year have a bit more time, but please don't let it creep up on you. get started now if you have not already.

Team Meeting—Thursday, 9 February, at the Senior Center pending their approval of my request.  The sharp-eyed continuity checkers in our group will have noticed that this is NOT the tenth, our traditional meeting day each month.  I do want to stay with the tenth when we can, but on those occasions where I think we will have  weak turnout because of the day the tenth falls on, either due to a holiday or yet another weekend, I will move it.  I am working on our calendar for the entire year, which I hope to present to you soon.  We will have meeting dates, reserved places to have those meetings, and planned activities for the majority of our meetings.  For the February meeting, we will move back one day to avoid the Friday.  We'll go for wound care review if I can get the training module.  Since we have an academy coming up, it won't be as easy as last time to get the module, but we should be able to work something out.

St. Patrick's Day Parade—I wanted to get this on your respective calendars.  This is a real hoot, we march just behind our Fireman and the bagpipe band at the front of the parade.  I wish I'd done a count, I think there were well over 100 firemen last year.  We were not as well represented, and this year I'm joining our other Team Leaders in doing something about that.  Saint Patrick's Day is actually on a Saturday this year, it will be a great time, please plan to join us.  There is more information on the Parade here:

http://www.stpatsparade.org/

I will have much more information as we get closer to the date.

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

-Steve

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