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

CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations

CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations:

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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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