What's New In Incident Management?

August 2010 - National Preparedness Month 2010

September is National Preparedness Month and we all know that you, the reader, are ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you have not already done so, the next logical step is for you to share your knowledge with your shipmates.

One way for you to accomplish this would be for you to create a member training for your September flotilla meeting. Two suggestions for this training are:

• Introduce and discuss individual to go bags/surge kits and bring your kit as a sample
• Prepare a presentation on emergencies that you could be expected to respond to in your area

Another way to increase preparedness awareness in your area would be for you to write an article on preparedness for your flotilla, division, or district newsletter. Does your flotilla have a blog? You could also write up something for the blog and have it posted in observance of National Preparedness Month. A simple Google search will guide you to many websites with information for you to use including federal sites such as Ready.gov, FEMA, and the Department of Homeland Security.

One more idea for an event would be for your flotilla to host a preparedness training for your families. Why you might ask is it important that your families be prepared when you will be the one responding to an incident? In the event of a major incident (hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, or something manmade), if the Auxiliarist’s family is prepared, they will be able to take care of themselves while he or she is responding to the incident. The knowledge that his or her family is well taken care of will provide peace of mind for the Auxiliarist to concentrate on the mission post incident. If the training is held on a weekend, perhaps arrangements could be made to follow it with a fellowship opportunity, perhaps a potluck picnic, if the weather in your area will still be nice.

However you choose to observe National Preparedness Month, your actions will help ensure that Auxiliarists and their families are well prepared for anything that happens and thus enabling the Auxiliary to offer their full support to the Coast Guard.

[Posted 06 Aug 2010, Source: Murrianna K. Thomson, BA-PA, RIM]

July 2010 - Tips on being Ready for the Oil Spill

Click here for a few tips on what to do and a how to prepare check list.
[Posted 16 Jul 2010, Source: Steve Pegram, CEM BC-RIS]

July 2010 - Hurricane Tip of the Week for 09 July 2010

Tip of the Week: Prepare for hurricane season. Take steps to prevent possible damage when the storm hits by ensuring that your trees and shrubs are well-trimmed.

July 2010 - Hurricane Tip of the Week for 02 July 2010

Identify ahead of time where you and your family will go if you have to evacuate. Make sure that you have local and regional maps in your car if you have to travel unfamiliar roads.

[Posted 12 Jul 2010, Source: Robert Shafer Dir-R]

June 2010 - ALCOAST 324/10

COMDTNOTE 16790
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR AUXILIARY SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL

1. The breadth and scope of the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have significantly expanded and require long-term, coordinated action by the Coast Guard through the remainder of CY2010. Further inclusion of Auxiliary resources into response operations and sustainment plans is necessary. ALCOAST 324/10 has been issued to highlight this need and to solicit Auxiliary support from all regions to meet immediate needs. The text of the ALCOAST follows.
   
   
2. Auxiliarists who possess Auxiliary Trident qualifications as set forth in the ALCOAST are needed now.
   
   
3. Incident Command System (ICS) familiarity at least at the ICS-100 level is a pre-requisite for all applicants.
   
   
4. There is also an immediate need for 30 Auxiliarists who possess any of the following specific ICS course completions: ICS-346, ICS-347, ICS-351, and ICS-440. No substitutions/alternatives of these four specific ICS courses can be accepted. Auxiliarists who contact the Central Staging Area in response to this specific need must mention which ICS course(s) they have completed.
   
   
5. Assignments will require an on-scene commitment of at least 30 days.
   
   
6. Auxiliarists who volunteer for this mission must apply for approval through their regional chain of leadership. This means gaining the approval of the District Commodore (DCO) and Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) prior to any contact of the order issuing authority, central staging area, or surge staffing offices.
   
   
7. Further information is provided in the ALCOAST and more details will be forthcoming as Auxiliary resources are further incorporated into future sustainment planning.

June 2010 - Hurricane Tip of the Week for 18 June 2010

Pet-friendly shelters or hotels may not be available during an emergency, so make alternate housing arrangements in advance.

June 2010 – New Resource – QuakeAware iPhone App
 
16 Jun 2010

The following information is provided as a potential resource and does not constitute an endorsement by the United States Coast Guard or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

QuakeAware out of Richmond, British Columbia is now offering a QuakeAware for the iPhone and iPod Touch. QuakeAware Mobile provides basic information on how to be properly prepared for an earthquake, and what to do if one strikes your area. Vital information such as essential survival items, to-dos and considerations immediately after an earthquake, and basic first aid guidelines for common ailments are all easily available at your fingertips.

Please be aware that the first version of QuakeAware Mobile focuses on the city of Richmond, British Columbia in the 'My City' feature. Future versions will expand to other municipalities; however, the application contains much information that is applicable to any earthquake situation

[Posted 17 June 2010, Source: Steve Pegram, CEM BC-RIS]

June 2010 – Medical Guidance for Coast Guard Personnel Serving with the Deepwater Horizon Response in the Gulf Region
 
10 Jun 2010
Excerpts from ALCOAST 286/10

"Deployed Coast Guard personnel who are concerned they may have been exposed to hazards requiring further follow-up, should fill out the electronic version of the significant event/acute exposure (SE/AE) form IIAW Reference A, Chapter 12)."

"Civilian employees and Auxiliary members on orders assigned within the affected area or on orders to respond, are authorized to be seen by Coast Guard health care providers for medical conditions arising during deployment"

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be conducting a pre-event and post-event survey for all individuals deployed to the Gulf who are assisting with the oil clean-up. Coast Guard personnel are strongly encouraged to complete the survey." The web-based survey will be available on the NIOSH website.

Complete ALCOAST message available here

[Posted 17 June 10. Source: John R. Ellis, III, MEP, DVC-RI]

June 2010 – News from the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC)
 
CIP BULLETIN 3-10
June 3, 2010

The EMR-ISAC, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs, has prepared a bulletin regarding total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) to address potential concerns from Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies when responding to incidents in the vicinity of crude oil contamination.  The ToxFAQ Fact Sheet delivers general information in a question and answer format that can be used as a guide to protect the health of first responders who may be exposed to TPH in the performance of their duties.

First Priority for the Emergency Responder:

   • Be sure to use the decontamination procedures set by your department before eating, drinking, or using the toilet during the workday; and do a full decontamination, including a shower if available, at the end of each shift.
   • Wash and sanitize immediately if exposed to toxic substances.
   • Rubber type steel toe/shank footwear will protect feet from injury and from oil exposure.
   • Wear oil-resistant gloves when in contact with oil and oil waste, and outer durable gloves when handling debris.
   • Use hearing protection in noisy environments.
   • Know your medicines, allergies, and blood type.
   • If in doubt, contact your supervisor!
   • Do not stand in or come in contact with unknown liquids or substances.
 
To read the complete CIP Bulletin please go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/infograms/bulletins/cip_bulletin_3_10.pdf
 
[Posted 17 June 10, Source:  John R. Ellis, III MEP, DVC-RI]

June 2010 - Hurricane Tip of the Week for 04 June 2010

Prepare for hurricane season. Inventory your emergency kit to ensure that items are not missing, expired or need to be added.

May 2010 - The Auxiliary Incident Management System (AIMS) provides quick and reliable communication capabilities that rapidly and reliably disseminate critical information and instructions, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure life-safety. This is the AIMS User Manual, which provides an overview of the system, describes how it should be managed and organized in the District and how to send various types of messages. This manual will be a valuable resource for all AIMS users.
[Posted 11 May 2010 - Source: Robert Shafer Dir-R]

April 2010 - The United States landfalling hurricane web project was co-developed by William Gray's Tropical Meteorology Research Project at Colorado State University and the GeoGraphics Laboratory at Bridgewater State College.

http://www.e-transit.org/hurricane/welcome.html

The tool includes the following applications: The user selects a county, and landfall probabilities based on William Gray's 2010 tropical cyclone forecast are presented. The numbers in parentheses are the climatological averages based on landfalling tropical cyclones in HURDAT.

• Landfall Probability Table A Microsoft Excel table displaying all landfall probability calculations
• State Landfall Probability Table A Microsoft Excel table displaying all landfall probability calculations for each of the coastal states.
• Region Map Map of the eleven regions for which landfall probabilities have been created
• Methodology Documentation A Microsoft Word document describing how the landfall probabilities were calculated.

Caribbean and Central America Landfalling Hurricane Probability Project

• Landfall Probability Table A Microsoft Excel table displaying all landfall probability calculations
• Methodology Documentation A Microsoft Word document describing how the landfall probabilities were calculated.

March 2010 - Effective May 15, the National Hurricane Center will implement important changes in some of its text and graphical products. It will also make some additions to its Web site and experimental products. This is part of a continuing effort at the National Hurricane Center to expand and enhance its level of service.  Click on this link for full details.
[Posted 31 Mar 2010 - Source Steve Pegram, CEM BC-RIS]

February 2010 - NOAA's National Weather Service will use a new hurricane scale this season called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale keeps the same wind speed ranges as the original Saffir-Simpson Scale for each of the five hurricane categories, but no longer ties specific storm surge and flooding effects to each category. Lead times for Hurricane Watches and Warnings have also been increased by 12 hours for the 2010 hurricane season. Further information can be obtained by clicking on the links below:

• http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100217_hurricane.html
  
  
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml
  
  
• http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100105_nhc.html

February 2010 - Information on the March Everbridge training schedule is available at this link.  [Posted 27 Feb 2009 - Source: Murrianna K. Thomson BA-PA, OIM ]

May 2009

Developing and Maintaining State, Territorial, Tribal and Local Government Emergency Plans – FEMA March 2009

This comprehensive Preparedness Guide, CPG 101, expands on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) efforts to provide guidance about response and recovery planning to State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local governments. It reflects the changed reality of the current operational planning environment.

As part of a larger planning modernization effort, CPG 101 provides methods for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local planners to:

• Develop sufficiently trained planners to meet and sustain planning requirements;
• Identify resource demands and operational options across all homeland security mission areas throughout the planning process;
• Link planning, preparedness, and resource and asset management processes and data in a virtual environment;
• Prioritize plans and planning efforts to best support emergency management and homeland security strategies and allow for their seamless transition to execution;
• Produce and tailor the full range of combined Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local government options according to changing circumstances; and
• Quickly produce plans on demand, with revisions as needed.

[Posted 03 May 2009 - Source: Linda Nelson DVC-OI]

March 2009

Revised deadline for ICS210

The following update to ICS-210 requirements was received this week from the Chief Director's Office (CG-542):

"As you all are aware, the deadline date for completion of ICS-210 of
31MAR2009 is almost upon us. As many Auxiliarists are still in need Of the course, CG-5421 requested a second and final extension which was just granted by CG-5331 (Office of Incident Management &Preparedness).

The new date of compliance is 01APR2010.   As per ALAUX 002/07 this course or the full ICS-300 course is required for Auxiliary Single Unit Resource Leaders (SURL's) such as coxswains, PWC operators, pilots (Aircraft Commander, First Pilot and Co-Pilot), certain members in the Trident Program or any other team/task force leader determined by a Coast Guard unit Commander to have a need.

ICS-210 (or ICS-300 as an equivalent) is to be added to the proper qualification packages as a requirement for final qualification.  These changes will be reflected in future editions.  The Surface Operations website will be updated this week with this information:
http://cgauxsurfaceops.us/ICS.htm

When the first extension for ICS-210 from March 2008 to March 2009 was requested, only 715 Auxiliarists (or 18% of required personnel) had taken either course despite it having been "strongly encouraged" for almost 2 years.   To date, AUXDATA is now showing well over 2,500 who have taken ICS-210 and close to 900 have taken ICS-300 for a 70% compliance rate.

The Auxiliary has done an outstanding job in trying to meet this DHS requirement.  We very much appreciate the Auxiliary's cooperation and coordination efforts, and understand the incredible effort involved in this the training and qualification initiative.  With the new deadline of 01APR10, the next year should provide ample time to reach the goal of 100% compliance."

[Posted 30 March 09. Source: DC-O David Elliot]

Changes to AIMS – 3n Contact Program

Upgrade to AIMS 3n functionality.

 

We are currently implementing the recurring monthly updates from AuxData to 3n. As part of this process we are loading all Auxiliary Districts into the system. If your District is an early adopter of AIMS this will cause some rework for your Organization and Group leaders. We apologize for theinconvenience, but this is a one time change that will allow us access to current and future 3n enhancements that would not have been available to us without making these changes.

 

We have made the following changes:

 

1. Each District is now a separate organization. This will greatly streamline District data and message management. It will also provide enhanced data integrity and reduce District administrative burden once the changes are fully implemented.
2. We are now able to use the 3n User Defined Attributes functionality. Org and Group leaders will be able to originate messages using this feature without building a separate group for each Flotilla, Division and District. Org and Group leaders will need to rebuild any specialty groups (EXCOM, coxswain, etc.).
3. Org and Group leaders will have to re-register. I will send a new authorization code email to these District leaders for the new District organization once I receive a current list from the DCO.
4. Members do NOT have to re-register. They can receive messages now. Temporarily, members will not be able to update their own information without registering. Org and Group leaders can update member information. Any changes entered into AuxData will update 3n monthly. The I Department is working on a secure portal for the CGAux.org website. Once this is deployed, members will be able to log on using their Auxiliary ID number and make changes using a simple user interface on the CGAux.org screen.
5. I am available to help with the transition as needed, including helping with the rebuilding of groups, setting up User Defined Attributes, delegating authority to Org and Group leaders, etc.
6. Once again, I'd like to thank the early adopter Districts that have worked so hard on our deployment of the system and who have used it so successfully to communicate critical information to our members.

[Source: Steve Pegram, Branch Chief - OIS 06 Mar 2009]

November 2008

Clarification for CG ICS210 (Incident Command System-210) training requirements for Auxiliary members.

1. ICS-210 Initial Incident Commander is a classroom course designed for Single Resource Leader Type 5/Type 4 Incident Commanders. It is a four-hour course based on the ICS-300 course but condensed and focused on initial incident assessment, initial incident management (includes assuming command, organization, and execution), and development and use of ICS forms. Completion of this course by SURLs is a DHS mandate not a CG Headquarters.
2. As per ALAUX 002/07 this course or the full ICS-300 course is required for Auxiliary coxswains, pilots (Aircraft Commander, First Pilot and Co-Pilot), any member in the Trident Program or any other team/task force leader determined by a Coast Guard unit Commander to have a need.
3. Both ALCOAST 042/07 and ALCOAST 106/07 required a completion date of 31MAR08 for all Coast Guard personnel including the Auxiliary. There was concern over the possible limited access for Auxiliary members when the course was first made available. ALAUX 002/07 was issued giving no completion dates but strongly encouraging single resource leaders to take ICS-210 when the opportunity presented. Realizing that the 31MAR08 deadline has come and gone for ICS-210, CG-54212 in cooperation with the Coast Guard's NIMS Program Coordinator and the Office of Incident Management & Preparedness (CG-5331) were able to extend the deadline for course completion until 31MAR09.
4. The new deadline for completion for all applicable Auxiliarists is 31MAR09. Successful completion must be entered into AUXDATA which will be programmed to recognize the 31MAR09 deadline. Operational members who are not compliant with coursework requirements by the deadline will be placed in "REYR" and will not be issued patrol orders.

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