Extraordinary performance in 2010: Vessel Safety Checks

Shipmates,
Last night at the Flotilla 78 change of watch George Sipes and I had the opportunity to discuss our VSC program in 2010. In the course of the conversation we looked up FL78's numbers to compare to other Flotillas in the District and Division 7's numbers to compare to other Divisions nationally.

Flotilla 78's VSC count alone exceeded that of each of the other nine Divisions in the District - 1,425 VSCs*. Way to go 78!

Only two other Divisions in D13 exceeded Flotilla 76's count of 759 VSCs for 2010 - our shipmates in Division 6 with 912 and in Division 1 with 852.

Nationally there are only three Divisions, of 170, that exceeded our total Division VSC count in 2010 of 2,958. Two of these are large Divisions in District 7 with 447 and 514 members respectively -- to our 258. The other is District 11NR - Division 10 which turned in two more VSCs - this was done with only 87 members and is an incredible achievement worthy of great respect.

Since Divisions vary so much in size it is more useful to look at the number of VSCs per active member in the Division. Nationally the Auxiliary did 4.4 VSCs per member in 2010. Division 7 did 11.5 VSCs per member. This is the fourth highest per member rate of the 170 Divisions. The four Divisions with higher rates have fewer than 100 members and one or two very productive VEs -- in the case of 11NR Div 10 they have a single member with over 2000 VSCs per year for the last 5-6 years.

A few very productive VEs (750+ VSCs/year) is a fragile way to accomplish our RBS mission. Illness or a change in focus can devastate a VSC program dependent on just one member or a few members.

This brings me to the most important point in the data - we accomplish our total numbers and our rate with a broad swath of our membership. We do have a number of outstanding performers - George conducted 475 VSCs while Lynn, Matt, Josh, Lance, Hall, and John H. were between 100 and 300 VSCs. Excluding these seven members we still had over 1,350 VSCs. In total we had 64 VEs active in 2010. We are not entirely dependent on a few members to accomplish the VSC mission. This gives us the ability to sustain our performance in the long term and meet the surge needs of ramp/dock work for Make Way, Opening Day and other events.

It is also the type of VE organization we need to continue to build to meet the challenge we face - 80 thousand registered boats and likely 100+ thousand unregistered paddle craft.

Thank you for the great work in 2010. Also my particular thanks to our outgoing SO-VE Dick Andreasen for his hard work and willingness to go anywhere, anytime to make our VE cadre effective and ensure they had the materials to get the job done. 2011 VE Decals are on hand -- let's get to work!

NOTE If you would like to look at the data I have put the spreadsheet online. Visit this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AvHhc1QsrrWwdERWOEg3UDdpR0NCODd3NVYtd1FVanc&hl=en&single=true&gid=0&output=html

*All figures are from AUXDATA as of 30DEC10

Portland Boat Show Schedule and Watch Standing

Shipmates,

It is again time for the first of our major show events of the year - the 2011 Portland Boat Show. This show is an outstanding opportunity to spread the Recreational Boating Safety message, attract participation in our classes, schedule VEs, raise the profile of the joint Coast Guard/Auxiliary team and speak to potential new members.

The main show days are Wednesday, 12 JAN to Sunday 16 Jan 2010.

I encourage each of you to participate in at least one shift and, as your schedule permits, serve multiple shifts.

The uniform is ODU and we are requesting members wear inflatable PFDs (provided onsite) to showcase the ease of wear of these lifesaving devices.

Signing up for watch standing:
Last year we used an online schedule and email approach which worked well and we'll replicate the process this year.

1. Review this schedule for open watches
2. Send an email to veryuseful@gmail.com with the your availability and preferences. If your schedule is flexible please indicate that is the case.
3. You selections will be updated into this schedule upon receipt and will display in this post.
4. You will receive a confirmation email within a few hours
5. You will receive a reminder email the day prior to your watch(es).

If the watch bill does not display above please use this link.

Tickets will be provided for watch standers and will be held at will-call. You are more than welcome to spend time viewing the show before or after your shift. As with last year we will have shuttle service from the Delta Park West Marine parking lot to eliminate the cost of parking.

ALCOAST 595/10 - 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Shipmates,
As many of you don't receive ALCOAST messages directly I want to pass along the holiday message from Commandant Papp.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

R 152359Z DEC 10

ALCOAST 595/10
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS
1. SHIPMATES, IN THE MIDST OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LINDA AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND OUR WHOLEHEARTED THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

2. EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATION AND ITS WATERS. YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN OR AUXILIARY, ONCE AGAIN SHOWCASED THE VALUE OF OUR SMALL SERVICE. IN HAITI, YOU WERE FIRST ON-SCENE TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, AND YOU HAVE LED, AND CONTINUE TO LEAD, THE EXTRAORDINARY CLEAN-UP AND OVERSIGHT OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL RESPONSE. WE ALSO REMEMBER OUR RETIREES, WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND STILL SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD FAMILY. THIS YEAR, OUR FAMILY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE PAINFUL LOSS OF SHIPMATES. WE REMEMBER THEM. WE MISS THEM. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM.

3. WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES IN THE NEW YEAR. INDEED, THERE IS MUCH IMPORTANT WORK TO BE DONE-BUT MY FAITH IN YOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE OUR CHALLENGING MARITIME MISSIONS HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. FOR NOW, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENJOY THE WARMTH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. REST, RELAX AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND SHIPMATES. AS YOU ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR LOVED ONES, REMEMBER OUR COAST GUARDSMEN, AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHO ARE PROUDLY STANDING WATCH, PROVIDING SAFETY, SECURITY AND PEACE FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

4. YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW THANKFUL I AM TO SERVE WITH YOU. DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND FOR THE MANY THAT WILL FOLLOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FAITHFULLY SERVE. THIS IS OUR CHOSEN PROFESSION. THIS IS OUR WAY. THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, PAST AND PRESENT.

5. STAND A TAUT WATCH, SEMPER PARATUS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

6. ADMIRAL BOB AND LINDA PAPP, SEND.

7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

December 2010 Commander's Comments

Shipmates,
Over the last few weeks I've had cause to reflect on the sense of calm in the face of challenge that the mentorship, training and operational experience I've received as a member of the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard has granted me. I find myself responding calmly and competently to events that once would have caused consternation or even panic. I consider this sense of calm as one of the many gifts I've received from my shipmates, one for which I am very grateful. This particular gift does not come without a price, for me that price is the concern that I've not done everything I can do to ensure the safety of my shipmates. Our area of greatest inherent risk remains our surface and air operations programs. We work hard to give you the equipment, training, policies and procedures to operate safely but when it comes time to operate we rely on your integrity and judgement. This model has served us well in many ways -- we play by the rules, we use the provided PPE at the requisite times, we call off missions and evolutions due to conditions, and exercise our judgement and integrity in many other ways while operating.

We also need to count on that judgement and integrity when it comes to personally determining if each of us has the physical capability and mental focus to conduct our operational mission on a particular day or even if the time has come to switch the focus of our duties to other non--operational Auxiliary missions. The causes of such determination can be a passing illness, onset of disease, stress at work or home, a family tragedy, simple lack of rest, or any of a number of other factors. Honestly we are all aware age plays a part as well although it impacts each of us differently. We need to look to our core values and assure our culture allows honest dialog about our readiness, does not question the hard call to scrub a mission, and honors the extremely difficult decision to give up an operational qualification.

Our policy includes qualification or flight examinations. Part of the reason for this policy is to check that we are mentally and physically capable of completing the tasks for our qualification. We cannot expect our few members with responsibilities as Qualification Examiners or Flight Examiners to carry the whole burden of these judgements - hopefully we have all considered our level of competence and physical capability well before it comes time for our examinations. You should also expect your leadership to be willing to have respectful and frank conversations on these readiness topics. We owe it to each other.

This brings me back to my original point, I'm honored to work with such incredibly dedicated and competent shipmates - friends I've come to rely upon and would be willing to stand with in any storm. It is important to assure that our competency does not lead to a sense of complacency. We need to be introspective about our personal readiness and have honest conversations about operational readiness with our shipmates. We need to be able to answer yes to questions like "Can we quickly get any member of our crew out of the water?" and "Is our vision and hearing adequate to the conditions?". Again, we owe it to each other.

It is somewhat counterintuitive when discussing "when not to go out", but one thing that can make a huge difference in safety is operating regularly, participating in training opportunities, and building beyond being qualified to being truly proficient at our operational missions. There is nothing like actually operating to bring any concerns about readiness into focus.

Thank you for your service. Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren

Leadership: 24 hour rule

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/12/how_ford_24_hour_rule.html




Ford, HBR

So we put a rule in place. It says: 'You have 24 hours to take a new and emerging issue, try to understand it and see if you can resolve it yourself. After that, you have to go public with it.' It's an escalation process. Because with a lot of these issues, we can solve them pretty quickly by applying the intellect we have in this company.

Finding balance

Shipmates,
I've recently been in the grip of a project at work that has required greater than normal focus and a departure from the family <-> work <-> Auxiliary balance I like to maintain. I accept that my responsibilities will, from time to time, upset my preferred balance -- particularly if I am challenging myself. Times like these do remind me of an unhealthy period in my life when I lived out of balance on an ongoing basis. This was not due to the fact that I was doing too much of any one part of the puzzle that is a life, rather I was inattentive to

Happy 235th Birthday Marines

Shipmates,
Today, November 10, 2010, marks the 235th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps. Take a moment today to reach out and wish a Marine a happy Corps birthday. I'm sure at least a few of you are Marines, parents of Marines, or children of Marines in active service or who have served in the past. Thank you for your service and the service of your loved ones.

I encourage you to watch the message the Marine Corps leadership, Commandant Gen. James F. Amos & Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent, prepared which highlights the service of Marines in the Korean War and those serving today around the world  on our behalf.

http://www.marines.mil/usmc/Pages/2010MarineCorpsBirthdayBall.aspx




Our Commandant's message to the Marines can be read here:

http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/547-10_alcoast.txt

Happy Birthday Marines!

Rose Festival in 70 seconds, a photo essay

Shipmates,
Yesterday I saw a great little video which was based on every photo from a vacation. It did a great job of portraying the trip. This approach also conveyed a great sense of what being a photographer is about and the large number of frames most of us need to take to get a few keepers. During Rose Festival this year I took over 500 photos, which is actually fewer than some past years, and this video shows each of those shots in a very compressed format. If you have a high speed connection please change to HD for the best viewing experience.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_tXZzfjsao

Vancouver Veteran's Day Parade 2010

Shipmates,
Here is a video showing our participation in the Vancouver Veteran's Day Parade. Enjoy and I hope to see you there next year!



Be sure to play in HD. If the video does not show please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8HMlu1j_Q0

Thank you to SO-PA John Hilbrands for organizing the Coast Guard participation.

Member Training/Communications - TCO Academy January 2011

Posted on behalf of SO-CM Jon James

Division 7 members are invited to participate in the first Telecommunications Operators (TCO) School taught by members from Division 7 and Active Duty members from Sector Columbia River and Station Portland. These classes will help you though the Personal Qualification Standard (PQS) and eventually an ability to stand before a board of members to qualify as a TCO. I also would like members who hold the AUXCOM to participate in this school. I find there is a lot of useful information in this PQS that is either missing from, or outdated, in the prior AUXCOM material. This will help you further your qualification as a radio operator. The classes will be held on the Training Deck at MSU Portland on the following dates.

• Tuesday, 04 January from 1900 to 2100
• Tuesday, 11 January from 1900 to 2100
• Saturday, 15 JANUARY FROM 0830 TO 1300 (this is division member training because its beneficial to all operations members)
• Tuesday, 18 January from 1900 to 2100
• Qualification Board TBD.

Here is a list of manuals you will reference throughout your PQS. I apologize but the class cannot provide you with hard copies of the PQS or manuals. We will however provide you with a copy of all materials on a CD when requested.

(a) Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 (series) Link
(b) Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5 (series); Chapter 11 Link
(c) Auxiliary Aviation Training Manual, COMDTINST M16798.5 (series); Chapter 6 Link
(d) Telecommunications Manual (TCM) COMDTINST M2000.3 (series)
(e) Radiotelephone Handbook, COMDTINST M2300.7 (series)
(f) U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National Search and Rescue Supplement, COMDTINST M16130.2 (series) Link
(g) Communications Watchstander Qualification Guide, COMDTINST M16120.7 (series)
(h) AUXCOM – U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications Course
(i) Appendices A-G to the Auxiliary Telecommunications PQS
(j) Chart No.1, NOAA Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations
(k) NOAA or Corps of Engineers charts of the local area.
(l) United States Coast Pilot, Vol. 1-9, as applicable to the local area
(m) Light List, Vol. 1-7, COMDTINST M16502 (series) , as applicable to the local area
(n) NOAA Tide Tables, as applicable to the local area
(o) Telephone Directory, as applicable to the local area

Please do not let this long list discourage you from joining the class. You will only be referencing portions of these manuals.

Here is the breakdown of each class’s subjects.

Day 01 Tuesday 04 January 1900 to 2100 

• Introduction to the TCO Academy. 
• ATQ-01-01-TCO: OPERATE THE UNITS RADIO.
• ATQ-03-03-TCO: IDENTIFY CONTACT NUMBERS FOR AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE AOR.

Day 02 Tuesday 11 January 1900 to 2100

• ATQ-01-02-TCO: DEMONSTRATE BASIC RADIO PROCEDURE.
• ATQ-01-03-TCO: BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SKILLS.
• ATQ-02-02-TCO: STATE VHF-FM MARINE BAND DISTRESS & RADIO FREQUENCIES. 
• ATQ-02-03-TCO: IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN STANDARD RADIO URGENCY CALLS AND SIGNALS.

Day 03 Saturday 15 January 0830 to 1500 

• ATQ-02-01-TCO: CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MARINER. 
• ATQ-04-01-TCO: RESPOND TO A NON-DISTRESS VESSEL INCIDENT.
• ATQ-04-02-TCO: RESPOND TO A DISTRESS VESSEL INCIDENT.
• ATQ-05-01-TCO: PROVIDE APPROPRIATE NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PUBLIC.
• ATQ-05-02-TCO: PASS APPROPRIATE BASIC WEATHER INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
• ATQ-06-01-TCO: DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF OPS NORMAL AND POSITION REPORTS. 
• ATQ-06-02-TCO: DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF LOST COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES. 
• LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 1130 TO 1230
• ATQ-06-04-TS: DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPATEING IN A DIRECTED NET. 
• ATQ-07-01-TS: EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF NET CONTROL STATION IN A DIRECTED NET.
• ATQ-07-02-TS: DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURES IN MANAGING A DIRECTED NET.
• PASS DOWN PROCEDURE: Not in TCO but needs to be addressed. 

Day 04 Tuesday 18 January 1900 to 2100

• ATQ-03-01-TCO: IDENTIFY INFORMATION ON A NAUTICAL CHART
• ATQ-03-02-TCO: IDENTIFY AND LOCATE INFORMATION FROM COAST PILOT, LIGHT LIST, AND TIDE TABLES.
• ATQ-06-03-TCO: EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR AND PROCESS OF FILING A FLOAT PLAN.

Please email if you with any questions and if you plan on attending the school. I will post updates on the division blog and ask that FC’s to email this to members who do not use the blog.

Thanks,
SO-CM Jonathan James

Member Training/Communications - TCO Academ

Posted on behalf of SO-CM Jon James

Division 7 members are invited to participate in the first Telecommunications Operators (TCO) School taught by members from division 7 and active duty members from Sector Columbia River and Station Portland. These classes will help you though the Personal Qualification Standard (PQS) and eventually an ability to stand before a board of members to qualify as a TCO. I also would like members who hold the AUXCOM to participate in this school. I find there is a lot of useful information in this PQS that is either outdated or not in the AUXCOM material. This will help you further your qualification as a radio operator. The classes will be held on the Training Deck at MSU Portland on the following dates.

• Tuesday, 04 January from 1900 to 2100
• Tuesday, 11 January from 1900 to 2100
• Saturday, 15 JANUARY FROM 0830 TO 1300 (this is division member training because its beneficial to all operations members)
• Tuesday, 18 January from 1900 to 2100
• Qualification Board TBD.

Here is a list of manuals you will need to reference throughout your PQS. I apologize but the class cannot provide you with hard copies of the PQS or manuals. We will however provide you with a copy of all materials on a CD when requested.

(a) Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 (series)
(b) Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5 (series); Chapter 11
(c) Auxiliary Aviation Training Manual, COMDTINST M16798.5 (series); Chapter 6
(d) Telecommunications Manual (TCM) COMDTINST M2000.3 (series)
(e) Radiotelephone Handbook, COMDTINST M2300.7 (series)
(f) U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National Search and Rescue Supplement, COMDTINST M16130.2 (series)
(g) Communications Watchstander Qualification Guide, COMDTINST M16120.7 (series)
(h) AUXCOM – U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications Course
(i) Appendices A-G to the Auxiliary Telecommunications PQS
(j) Chart No.1, NOAA Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations
(k) NOAA or Corps of Engineers charts of the local area.
(l) United States Coast Pilot, Vol. 1-9, as applicable to the local area
(m) Light List, Vol. 1-7, COMDTINST M16502 (series) , as applicable to the local area
(n) NOAA Tide Tables, as applicable to the local area
(o) Telephone Directory, as applicable to the local area


Please do not let this long list discourage you from joining the class. You will only be referencing portions of these manuals.

Here is the breakdown of each class’s subjects.

Day 01 Tuesday 04 January 1900 to 2100 

• Introduction to the TCO Academy. 
• ATQ-01-01-TCO: OPERATE THE UNITS RADIO.
• ATQ-03-03-TCO: IDENTIFY CONTACT NUMBERS FOR AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE AOR.

Day 02 Tuesday 11 January 1900 to 2100

• ATQ-01-02-TCO: DEMONSTRATE BASIC RADIO PROCEDURE.
• ATQ-01-03-TCO: BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SKILLS.
• ATQ-02-02-TCO: STATE VHF-FM MARINE BAND DISTRESS & RADIO FREQUENCIES. 
• ATQ-02-03-TCO: IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN STANDARD RADIO URGENCY CALLS AND SIGNALS.

Day 03 Saturday 15 January 0830 to 1500 

• ATQ-02-01-TCO: CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MARINER. 
• ATQ-04-01-TCO: RESPOND TO A NON-DISTRESS VESSEL INCIDENT.
• ATQ-04-02-TCO: RESPOND TO A DISTRESS VESSEL INCIDENT.
• ATQ-05-01-TCO: PROVIDE APPROPRIATE NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PUBLIC.
• ATQ-05-02-TCO: PASS APPROPRIATE BASIC WEATHER INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
• ATQ-06-01-TCO: DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF OPS NORMAL AND POSITION REPORTS. 
• ATQ-06-02-TCO: DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF LOST COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES. 
• LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 1130 TO 1230
• ATQ-06-04-TS: DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPATEING IN A DIRECTED NET. 
• ATQ-07-01-TS: EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF NET CONTROL STATION IN A DIRECTED NET.
• ATQ-07-02-TS: DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURES IN MANAGING A DIRECTED NET.
• PASS DOWN PROCEDURE: Not in TCO but needs to be addressed. 

Day 04 Tuesday 18 January 1900 to 2100

• ATQ-03-01-TCO: IDENTIFY INFORMATION ON A NAUTICAL CHART
• ATQ-03-02-TCO: IDENTIFY AND LOCATE INFORMATION FROM COAST PILOT, LIGHT LIST, AND TIDE TABLES.
• ATQ-06-03-TCO: EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR AND PROCESS OF FILING A FLOAT PLAN.

Please email if you with any questions and if you plan on attending the school. I will post updates on the division blog and ask that FC’s to email this to members who do not use the blog.

Thanks,
SO-CM Jonathan James

Operation Safe Summer 2010 Year End Report

Shipmates,

I would like to add my thanks for your outstanding efforts in the Recreational Boating Safety over the summer, throughout the year, and look forward to successes in the future. The RBS mission is job #1. While we may never know the exact safety outcomes from a particular VE, program visit, class, PA event, or on-the-water safety conversation please know these interactions make a difference and save lives.

Every member can participate in RBS at almost any time your schedule permits. Many RBS qualifications are quick, if not easy, to achieve and a great way for new members to get started and make a difference right away. While initial qualification is readily achievable each of these missions has the wonderful challenge of taking many years to master and there is always something new to learn.

Again, thank you for your efforts.

Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates,

Daren

R 021505Z NOV 10

FM CCGDTHIRTEEN SEATTLE WA//DP//

TO COMCOGARD SECTOR PUGET SOUND WA
COGARD MSU PORTLAND OR
COMCOGARDGRU NORTH BEND OR
COMCOGARD SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER OR

BT

UNCLAS //N16750//

SUBJ: OPERATION SAFE SUMMER 2010 END REPORT

A. OPERATION SAFE SUMMER 2010, CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS DTD 5 MAY 2010
B. D13INST 16750, STRATEGY FOR THE REDUCTION OF RECREATIONAL BOATING
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES IN THE THIRTEENTH DISTRICT, 2009 TO 2

1. PER REF A, OPERATION SAFE SUMMER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FIELD
UNITS AND COMMANDS WITH A TOOL TO FOCUS AND MEASURE RBS EFFECTIVENESS
FOR BOTH ACTIVE DUTY AND AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES. THE FIVE PRIMARY
GOALS: ADVANCE BOATER EDUCATION, NAVIGATION RULES COMPLIANCE,
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, LIFEJACKET WEAR, AND OPERATOR COMPLIANCE
ARE ALL SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS AND
FATALITIES IN D13. WITH AN AVERAGE OF 52 RECREATIONAL BOATING
FATALITIES DISTRICT WIDE, WE AND OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS HAVE
A MONUMENTAL TASK AHEAD. OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE THROUGH
EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT.

2. ALTHOUGH WE FELL SHORT IN SEVERAL AREAS, THE EFFORT TOWARDS
MEETING D13s PERFORMANCE GOALS WAS A SUCCESS. RECREATIONAL VESSEL
EXAMINATION TARGETS WERE SET WITH AN OVERALL DISTRICT GOAL FOR 2010
OF 4,100 EXAMINATIONS. FINAL NUMBERS FOR THE END OF THIS PERIOD
INDICATED THAT 4,628 VESSEL EXAMINATIONS WERE COMPLETED WHICH IS 112
PERCENT OF OUR GOAL. THIS IS A 13 PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE 4,004
EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED IN 2009.

3. AUXILIARY FORCES WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REACH OUT TO BOATERS ACROSS
THE DISTRICT AND CONDUCTED OVER 900 VESSEL SAFETY CHECK EXAMINATIONS
TO ASSIST BOATERS IN COMPLYING WITH CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS.
AUXILIARISTS ALSO VOLUNTEERED OVER 1,000 HOURS IN ATTENDING PARADES,
OPEN HOUSES AND PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND CLASSES FOR ALL
AGES, IN ADDITON TO CONDUCTING OVER 4,000 HOURS OF RBS PATROLS DURING
THIS PERIOD.

4. RECREATIONAL BOATING IS STILL THE HIGHEST RISK BOATING ACTIVITY IN
THE DISTRICT, AND THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE TO DO. GUIDANCE FOR
OPERATION SAFE SUMMER 2011 WILL BE COMING SOON, AND I ENCOURAGE ALL
TO REVIEW OUR GOALS IN THE DISTRICT RECREATIONAL BOATING STRATEGY
(SEE REF B). MY RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY SPECIALIST, MR. DAN
SHIPMAN, WILL BE VISITING EACH SECTOR AND UNIT IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS
TO REVIEW YOUR PAST EFFORTS AND TO ASSIST YOU IN IDENTIFYING NEW
OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH OUT TO RECREATIONAL BOATERS WITH AN OVERALL
GOAL TO REDUCE RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES IN THE
REGION.

5. I WANT TO COMMEND ALL HANDS ON THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE OPERATION
SAFE SUMMER 2010 AN OVERALL SUCCESS AND YOUR EFFORTS TO MAKE
RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFE AND ENJOYABLE.

6. CAPT BORNEMANN, CHIEF, PREVENTION DIVISION, SENDS.

BT

NNNN

Operation Paddle Smart

Shipmates,
We have received a significant supply of Operation Paddle Smart stickers thanks to our District 13 RBS Specialist. Please watch this video to learn more about this important program and how we plan to proceed as a Division.



If you have trouble viewing the video please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVUEX9RcNxw

I would like to add a note on the discussion of risk in the video. The key point is that we accept a somewhat higher level of risk to prosecute a SAR as we balance the risk versus gain. Balancing this risk must be a collaborative effort between the on scene unit and the responsible SAR controller. Should you find yourselves in a situation where the risk level departs the "Green" of our GAR model you must discuss the risk factors with either Station or Sector and take their direction before proceeding with the operation. Remember, be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates.

Here is my video from the 2010 Innovation Expo on the Paddle Smart program:

The Paddle Smart sticker

Weatherproof sign for field use when promoting the program

Coast Guard Compass: Fast Response Cutters named for CG heroes

Shipmates,
The newest class of Coast Guard Cutters, the Fast Response Cutters, are being named for Coast Guard heroes. The first 14 names have been announced and our shipmates at the service's blog the Compass are running a series of articles on the deeds of each of these extraordinary members of our service.

The main post, which contains links to each individual story as it is added, can be found here:

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/10/coast-guard-heroes/

Our history is rich and we can all learn from these stories - they serve as examples of our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to duty. I encourage all members to follow the series.

Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren

Getting POMS up and running

Shipmates,

Wayne Monroe of FL78 recently did some system upgrades which caused an issue connecting to POMS. As those of you in Operations are aware POMS access is critical and we have a number of members who have issues connecting. Wayne did some research and came up with a solution to his particular problem. The need for true administrator privileges matches what I've seen on my Mac.

Here is the info about Citrix/POMS that we talked about. Hopefully this will help others who may be having trouble getting into POMS or getting an error message. Wayne

Unable to access POMS or getting a Citrix (POMS) error message. This info might help.

(The secret I learned is to be logged onto your computer as the "REAL" Administrator for "full admin rights").

I have been getting an error message about an incorrect bool value every time I turned on my computer that is generated by the Citrix software. I decided to clear it up so removed everything Citrix from my computer that I could tell was related to POMS. I researched and found these instructions and files at D1NR. 

http://www.d1nr-bcqp.us/POMSWindows.htm

Someplace in the instructions it said to make sure you are installing from an "Administrator" account. My account said Admin but I couldn't get it to work so I did more research and discovered the Vista/Win7 "Hidden Administration Account" and instruction on how to enable it at this site. I used the "sepcol" process but method 2 looks good also.

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f127/admin-rights-vista-windows-7-a-197772/

Citrix loaded easy but the POMS token still would not work because it would just open as a text file. After a little experimenting I browsed to and opened the token with"wfcrun32" which is a file in the Citrix program. That did the trick and it all works fine without the error message.

Thanks Wayne!

Vancouver Veterans Day Parade - 06 NOV 2010

Shipmates,
We have the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Vancouver Veterans Day Parade. I hope to see you there.

Date: Saturday, 06 NOV 2010
Muster Time: 0930 (9:30am), please arrive by this time
Muster Location: Crosley Bowl, 2400 E. evergreen Blvd. Vancouver, WA. 98661
Uniform: Neat ODUs, uniform rain gear only please
Parade: 1100-1300

Communicate via email with the core values in mind

Shipmates,
Email is a critical tool in the preparation for and execution of our missions. The ease and immediacy of email as a communications tool significantly improves our ability to be effective. Unfortunately this same ease and immediacy which makes email effective can lead to abuse, intentional and unintentional, which often  negatively impacts both fellowship and mission effectiveness.

Over the years most of us have likely written emails which we've come to regret. Acting rashly in the moment can lead to immediate conflict and years of hard feelings.

I wish that whenever we wrote an email as a member of the Coast Guard an alert would pop up asking each of us to evaluate what we've written in the context of our core values -- Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. It would ask a critical question: Is the content of this email in keeping with the core values?

We don't have, and don't need, such a tool - we simply need to be mindful about how we use email.

There are a number of steps you can take to minimize the chance that an email you author will be in conflict with OUR VALUES or be perceived as in conflict by the recipient of the email -- remember that perception, whatever your motivation, is reality. You can think of this as a GAR model for your email communications.

1. Never say anything in an email you would not say in person in front of an audience.
2. Never send an email when angry, tired or otherwise impaired.
3. Don't attribute motivation to anyone... there are many ways our processes can fail without ill intent.
4. Remember that email fails horribly to convey tone, and that the majority of communication is tone and body language. Again, when you send an email you are responsible for how the recipient receives the communication, not what you intended.

An alternative
If you have a problem or are angry please pick up the phone, or even better, ask for an in-person meeting.  If you need a moderator on an issue ask someone trusted by both parties or a member of the unit leadership to facilitate the conversation.

We are responsible for what we write and can expect to be held to account when what we write fails the test against our values. Please use email with care.

Division Training - HAZWOPER 11/13

Division Training - HAZWOPER – Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

Date: 11/13/2010

Time: 0830

Location: MSU Portland Training Deck

Uniform: ODU or Working Blue

The course is for personnel who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances or health hazards. Topics include HAZWOPER regulations, safety and health plans, hazardous chemicals, safety hazards, air monitoring, medical surveillance, site control, decontamination, personal protective equipment, and respiratory equipment.

As part of the Coast Guard’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Auxiliarists who were trained in HAZWOPER and willing to respond were asked to apply for deployment.

HAZWOPER awareness is also important for any members participating in surface or air operations, augmenting in prevention or response activities, or conducing vessel exams.

To increase our readiness to respond, Coast Guard and Auxiliary leadership recommends that members increase skills that reflect the modern missions of the Coast Guard.

October 2010 Commander's Comments

Shipmates,

This month you will be selecting your Flotilla leadership for 2011. Developing leaders is the most important factor in the long term success of a Flotilla. Ideally this development is underway well before a member stands for election to Flotilla Commander or Vice Flotilla Commander. There are a number of avenues to build leadership and management skills available to our members. Many members come to the Auxiliary with rich leadership and/or management experience from their civilian and military careers as well as prior volunteer experience. Once in the Auxiliary members can avail themselves of staff roles to learn the peculiarities of the Auxiliary.

Read the manual: Basic familiarity with the Auxiliary Manual is critical for elected and staff leaders. It isn't necessary to know all the policies but it is important to understand the basic structure of the policies under which we operate. I strongly recommend downloading the PDF version to use as a reference since searching is much easier in the electronic version. As editions age there are numerous policy changes which become somewhat cumbersome. Luckily we expect a new Auxiliary Manual in the next few months. Staff should also be conversant with the policy manuals for their program areas.

Attend Flotilla and Division meetings: The manual contains the policies but the implementation and execution is discussed at our meetings and fellowship events.

Formal leadership training: The Auxiliary has a continuum of leadership training. Locally we conduct a leadership and management training session. All members are invited and encouraged to attend this course which is a mix of leadership training and the nuts and bolts of managing our Auxiliary units. This course will be conducted on 09 October 2010 on the Training Deck at MSU Portland - 0830. Even if you don't see elected leadership in your future I encourage you to this training - it will help you understand how our organization works and how to get the most out of the time you invest in the Auxiliary.

In addition there are a number of courses offered, please note that the last three listed here are limited to certain office holders.

• Flotilla Leadership Course (FLC) - this includes online and classroom versions and is similar to our leadership training 
• Auxiliary Leadership and Management (AUXLAMS). 
• Auxiliary Mid-Level Officers Course (AMLOC). 
• Auxiliary District Captain Course (ADCC) 
• Auxiliary Senior Officers Course (ASOC) 

Read, listen, and watch: There is an incredible variety of leadership books available, my library is packed with examples and I'd be happy to make recommendations. One of the advantages of the rise of the internet is that there has been a huge increase the accessibility of knowledge through the availability of podcasts, videos, and blog posts on leadership. These are shorter and easier to digest than the average leadership book. I have dozens of examples I consume regularly, here are a few to get started:

• TED Talks on Leadership: The TED conference covers a huge variety of topics with great speakers talking no more than 18 minutes - there are a number of talks on leadership - http://www.ted.com/talks/tags/id/231
• Weekly Leader site and podcast: Peter Mello is a friend of the Coast Guard and got started in the leadership field with tall ship education - http://weeklyleader.net/
• Seth Godin: Seth's posts are a mix of leadership and marketing thinking - http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
• Tom Peter's Blog: Tom has been writing on leadership for decades and always seems to be asking the right questions - http://www.tompeters.com
• Harvard Business Review IdeaCast: Some of the best of HBR - http://blogs.hbr.org/ideacast/
• The Invisible Hand podcast: Interviews with authors of recent leadership, management and strategy books - http://www.heronandcrane.com/TIH-2010.html

Jump into the fray: There is a point at which the best way to learn is to start. The Auxiliary is a great place to learn to lead. We've the benefit of motivated members who want to be here -- don't discount what a huge difference this fact makes. I've learned more about myself and about how to lead in the last few years than all my previous education and experience -- I've taken to calling the Auxiliary my leadership lab. I invite you to join me in the lab.

Thank you for your service. 

Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates,

Daren

Reminder: Leadership Training 09 OCT 2010

Topic: Auxiliary Leadership
Intended Audience: All Flotilla and Division staff and elected leaders, general membership
Where: Marine Safety Unit Portland Training Deck
When: 0830
Uniform: ODU

ALCOAST 460/10 - Don't Let Your Guard Down

If the video does not appear above visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJMel8b5TB4

R 202040Z SEP 10

ALCOAST 460/10
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 7: SAFETY - DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
1.  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE, THE NUMBER OF COAST GUARD
OPERATIONAL FATALITIES HAS EXCEEDED OUR OFF-DUTY FATALITIES.  TO STEM
THE TIDE OF FUTURE MISHAPS, I AM ANNOUNCING EXPANSION OF THE LANTAREA
"DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN" INITIATIVE SERVICE-WIDE.  THE INITIATIVE
WILL REINFORCE OUR NEED TO BE EVER-VIGILANT, BOTH ON THE JOB AND OFF.
IT WILL DEMAND EVERY MEMBERS DIRECT ENGAGEMENT.  I HAVE ASKED RADM
MARK TEDESCO, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE, AND THE
COAST GUARDS CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER, TO SPEARHEAD OUR EFFORTS.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN THE
MONTH.
2.  SHIPMATES, AS YOU ARE ALL UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE, 2010 HAS BEEN A YEAR
IN WHICH OUR OPERATING TEMPO AND THE NATIONS DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES
HAS NECESSITATED MULTIPLE "ALL HANDS ON DECK" EVOLUTIONS.  YOU HAVE
DISTINGUISHED YOURSELVES, THE COAST GUARD, AND THE NATION THROUGH
YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE NOT ONLY IN RESPONSE TO THE HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE
AND THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL, BUT ALSO IN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT
OF OUR MYRIAD DAY-TO-DAY MISSIONS.  IT IS INDEED AN HONOR TO SERVE
ALONGSIDE EACH OF YOU.  ALONG WITH PRIDE IN OUR SUCCESSES HAS ALSO
COME A CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE, BOTH ON AND OFF DUTY.
WHILE WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECENT SUCCESSES, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS
YEAR, OUR SHIPMATES HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE AND
SERIOUS INJURY ON AND OFF DUTY.
3.  SAFETY IS A 24/7 DUTY AND STATE OF MIND.  WE AS AN ORGANIZATION
MUST CONTINUE TO PLACE SAFETY AT A PREMIUM.  WE WILL EXECUTE ALL
MISSIONS THE RIGHT WAY, THE SAFE WAY, EVERY TIME. WE WILL EXTEND THIS
ETHOS BEYOND OUR PLACES OF WORK TO OUR OFF-DUTY TIME.
4.  PROMOTION OF SAFETY BOTH ON-DUTY AND OFF IS IN KEEPING WITH MY
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF HONORING OUR PROFESSION AND RESPECTING OUR
SHIPMATES.  SAFETY REQUIRES LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR BOTH YOURSELF AND OTHERS.  WHILE ON DUTY,
WE OFTEN OPERATE IN AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT.  DESPITE OUR
BEST EFFORTS, MISHAPS SOMETIMES OCCUR.  MISHAPS ALSO OCCUR OFF-DUTY,
WHEN OUR SHIPMATES MIGHT NOT BE EXERCISING THE SAME VIGILANCE THEY
DEMONSTRATE ON THE JOB.
5.  THERE IS NO HIGHER COMPLIMENT THAN TO BE CALLED A SHIPMATE AND NO
BETTER GOAL THAN BEING A GOOD ONE.  BEING A GOOD SHIPMATE MEANS
HOLDING YOURSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE AND BEING SOMEONE WHO CAN BE
COUNTED UPON WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS.  SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
EVERY MEMBER OF THE COAST GUARD FAMILY.  DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN -
BE A GOOD SHIPMATE: WHEN IN DOUBT, ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY AND
SPEAK UP WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG.
7.  STAND A TAUT WATCH...SEMPER PARATUS.
8.  RELEASED BY ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT.
9.  INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.

30 Years of Service: Wayne Monroe

Shipmates,
Last night I had the opportunity to visit Flotilla 78 along with our SO-Communications Jon James. The energy was high and it was great to see 31 members in attendance for the meeting. One particular highlight was the presentation of the Auxiliary Membership Service Award to Wayne Monroe for THIRTY years of service to the Nation in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Bravo Zulu Wayne and thank you for the leadership and dedication to duty you've shown over the last three decades.

Daren

TCT one hour refresher in Vancouver - 16 September

Lance Harmon, FSO-MT 78, will conduct the one-hour Team Coordination Training on Thursday, September 16th, at 1800 hours.  Location is the WA Dept. of Fish and  Wildlife building at 2108 Grand Blvd., Vancouver, 98661.  This is just prior to the regular monthly meeting, which begins at 1930.

Anyone in the Flotilla or Division who need the TCT Refresher this year are invited to attend.

Gay Sipes, FSO-HR
Flotilla 78

Shipmates, I would add that 78 has a great meeting and it is well worth staying after the TCT. Even if you don't attend the TCT consider visiting 78 to enjoy the company of your shipmates. Best, Daren

September 11 Open House at the Air Station

Update: ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and Air Station Astoria will host their annual open house event Saturday.

The open house, to take place at Sector Columbia River, will feature multiple events throughout the day including a search and rescue demonstration, children’s activities, several aircraft displays and multiple interactive exhibits. A small business and craft fair will also take place in the hangar to highlight contributions of local organizations to our community and allow local crafters to showcase their handiwork.

Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day and, for early risers, a pancake breakfast will be served from 7-10 am. Lunch will be sold from 11am to 2pm. All food proceeds will fund the Coast Guard Spouses Association’s (CGSAA)annual scholarship, Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive and children’s programs.

WHERE: Coast Guard Sector Columbia River 2185 SE 12th Place, Warrenton, Ore.

WHEN: Pancake Breakfast 7-10am, Open House officially begins at 9am and ends at 4pm.

Donations to the CGSAA for the day’s activities or any of the valuable programs it promotes can be made by contacting Emily Masri at thecgsaa@yahoo.com.

National Preparedness Month

Shipmates,
We've discussed the importance of family preparedness in being Semper Paratus. We cannot assist others if our families are not safe. Commandant Papp and Mrs. Papp kick off National Preparedness month with this message about the basics of being prepared for disasters. Please take a few minutes to watch the video and follow up with action.



If you cannot see the video visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w_5XV7spBA

Thank you for your service,
Daren

National Preparedness Month

Public Affairs Opportunity: September 10 - Genetech Emergency Preparedness Fair

Shipmates,

We have been invited to participate in the Genetech Emergency Preparedness Fair September 10, 2010 1100-1500 hrs at 4625 NW Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124. 

Richard Rivera, FSO-PA 7-12 is leading this effort. Please contact him if you are interested in participating. His Contact details are available in the District Directory or in the online directory: https://auxofficer.cgaux.org

 

Daren

Marine Safety Unit Portland Change of Command

Shipmates,
On Monday Sector Columbia River was established at a ceremony in Warrenton. Yesterday (Tuesday) Captain Daniel LeBlanc assumed command of the new Marine Safety Unit Portland.

Coast Guard Sector Portland and Coast Guard Group/Airsta Astoria combined and was renamed Coast Guard Sector Columbia River at 1100 PST on 23 August 2010. At this time Sector Columbia River is fully operational. Command of all Coast Guard resources under the Captain of the Port Columbia River responsibility will be executed from Warrenton, OR. All VHF, FM and HF radio frequencies will be monitored 24 hours a day by Sector Columbia River.

Here are a few photos from the ceremony at MSU Portland.



We welcome Captain LeBlanc and his family to Portland and look forward to a long and productive partnership with our shipmates of Sector Columbia River and MSU Portland.

OpEd by the National Incident Commander Thad Allen in the Washington Post

Shipmates,

Gary Bell, FL76, pointed me towards an opinion piece in the Washington Post by our shipmate ADM Allen (retired) who is currently serving as the National Incident Commander. ADM Allen is one of the most eloquent and persuasive communicators I have ever met and this particular piece is no exception. I invite you to read the piece for an update on the situation in the Gulf. More importantly, I recommend you read it as an example of how to communicate in a challenging situation. You may never find yourself communicating to a national audience but you will likely find yourself communicating on a topic that is very important to a few people. Communicating well in these situations is something we should all seek -- look for opportunities to read and listen to those who do it artfully, with compassion and with passion. This is just such an instance:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202271.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Daren

Lock closures on the Columbia River this Winter (2010-11)

Shipmates,
Our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers are doing outreach to inform users of the Columbia River locks in the Portland and Walla Walla Districts that there will be an extended 14-week Columbia/Snake River system navigation lock outage this winter. The current schedule is as follows:

More information: http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/navigation/lockoutage.asp 

ICS Class Updates

Incident Command System (ICS) is considered one of the course for members to become prepared for disasters, events, and every day operation. As members of team coast guard, we are first responders to many incidents and as result we are expected to know ICS. In addition to the first call response incidents, we may be asked to deploy to major disasters like Deepwater Horizon or Hurricane Katrina. If this is the case we will need not only the following courses but maybe some extra and the time to learn the basics of ICS is not during an incident when the skill are already in demand but before so when a skill set is in demand you are ready to go, like the Coast Guard motto Semper Paratus "Always Ready".

Basic/Standard ICS Course Names

• ICS-100: Introduction to ICS
• ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
• ICS-400: Advanced ICS Command and General Staff—Complex Incidents
• ICS-700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• ICS-800: Introduction to National Response Framework (NRF)

Other ICS Course of Recommendation

• ICS-320 Intermediate Team Training- ICS training course for Sectors/MSUS
• ICS-339 Division/Group Supervisor
• ICS-341 Incident Response Planning Course
• ICS-351 Logistics Finance Course
• ICS-346/347/348 Advanced Situation, Demobilization, and Resource Unit Leader (Requested in the Gulf for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill)
• ICS-430/440 Advanced Operations and Planning Section Chief
• ICS-410 Advanced Incident Commander

Note: ICS-320/339/341/351/346/347/348/400 require ICS-300 as prerequisite, ICS-210 will not be accepted in most cases. ICS-410/430/440 require 400 as prerequisites

Please read the ALCOAST put out a few years ago about the auxiliary recommend ICS course completion personnel designated for staff an incident command post.

ALCOAST
ALL MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY ARE RECOMMENDED TO COMPLETE ICS- 100 AND IS-700, AND THOSE AT THE DIVISION CAPTAIN LEVEL OR HIGHER ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ALSO COMPLETE ICS-200 AND IS-800.

ALL OFFICERS, OPS CENTER/COMMAND CENTER PERSONNEL, AND ALL CG PERSONNEL WHO HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED TO STAFF AN INCIDENT COMMAND POST (ICP) MUST COMPLETE ICS-300.

Classes in our area

ICS 300 - Portland OR

• September 7 & 8 Full
• September 27 & 28 (Oregon City) Full

ICS 400 - Portland OR

• September 14 & 15 Full
• September 29 & 30 (Oregon City) Full

ICS 300 - Vancouver WA

• Oct. 21 & 22, 2010
• Jan. 20 & 21, 2011
• April 21 & 22, 2011
• July 21 & 22, 2011
• Sept. 22 & 23, 2011

ICS 400 - Vancouver WA

• Feb. 24 & 25, 2011
• May 19 & 20, 2011
• Aug. 25 & 26, 2011

If you would like to sign-up for a class that is listed above please email SO-MT-Jonathan Polimeni

Degraded Communication Exercise

Division 7's contingency plans for degraded communications of Station Portland's AOR, has been developed and approved by USCG Station Portland. The contingency plan could be activated for many reason such as: system repairs, disasters, terrorism, storms, and much more. This plan uses Auxiliary Communication Units (ACU), both fixed land and land mobile. The plan allows the auxiliary to cover Station Portland's Area of Responsibility (AOR) until an active duty relief unit take over or Rescue 21 is operational. If or when the plan is activated the auxiliary would be the eyes, ears and the voice of the Coast Guard. Some things the auxiliary might do are, provide radio guards for Coast Guard resources, transmit notice to mariners and maintain a channel 16 watch for vessels in distress.

A pre-brief of the plan, followed by a Q&A session, will be held on 13 October 2010 from 1900 to 2200 on MSU Portland (the former Sector Portland) Training Deck. The plan's presentation will cover the basic operations as an ACU and a short refresher of ICS. It is requested that all qualified (AUXCOM and TCO) members who are interested in participating in the call out exercise with their ACU be at the presentation. In addition, members who are not qualified as TCO but would like to join in the exercise are encouraged to attend.

The exercise will take place on Saturday 16 October 2010. This exercise is a full scale exercise of the contingency plan. This means the call out will occur at a random time Saturday morning. The exercise could last the better part of the day and will be followed with a hot wash at MSU Portland's training deck. Therefore, your ACU should be prepared for a full day event with food, water and any other needs.

The presentation will cover all information regarding job duties, expectations and responsibilities. All ACU and AUXCOM/TC qualified members are requested to participate in the exercise, since the division has not held an exercise of this type for an extended time and many of us are dusty when it comes to using our ACU's.

If you have any questions about the prebrief or the exercise, send me an email.

Jonathan James, SO-CM

Division 7 leads the Navigator

Shipmates,
The Summer 2010 issue of the Auxiliary national magazine The Navigator features Flotilla 76 member Chris Roosevelt on the front cover and Flotilla 73 member Ken Babick on the back cover. The photos show Ken and Chris performing their duties during the 2010 Rose Festival.

Check out the entire issue online http://auxpa.org/navigator/ and in your mailboxes soon. When you are done with your print copy I'd be very appreciative if a few members pass their issues my way.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

Establishment of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River

Shipmates,
Here is the official information on the boundaries and subordinate units of USCG Sector Columbia River as of 23AUG2010.

Establishment of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River

On 23 August 2010 USCG Group/Air Station Astoria and USCG Sector Portland will be combined and renamed USCG Sector Columbia River. Sector Columbia River will be in Warrenton, OR while a Marine Safety Unit will remain in Portland. The purpose of this merger is to bring the operational control of all Coast Guard resources located in Northern Oregon under one command for the execution of all Coast Guard missions.

The USCG Sector Columbia River COTP area of responsibility will be as follows:

The USCG Sector Columbia River boundary starts at 47°32' N. latitude and proceeds along this latitude easterly to a point 47°32' N. latitude, 123°18' W. longitude; thence southerly to 46°55' N. latitude; thence easterly along this latitude to the eastern Idaho State line; thence southeasterly along the Idaho State line to the intersection of the Idaho- Wyoming boundary; thence southerly along the Idaho-Wyoming boundary to the intersection of the Idaho-Utah-Wyoming boundaries; thence westerly along the 42°00' N. latitude to the sea. The offshore boundary is bounded on the south by the southern boundary of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District which is described in §3.65–10, to the outermost extent of the EEZ; thence northerly along the outermost extent of the EEZ to 47°32' N. latitude; thence easterly along 47°32' N. latitude to the coast.

USCG Sector Columbia River offices will be located at 2185 SE 12th Place, Warrenton, OR and will include the following subordinate units:

Unit

• USCG MSU Portland
• USCGC BLUEBELL (WLI 313)
• USCG Station Portland
• USCG Station Tillamook Bay
• USCG Station Cape Disappointment
• USCG Station Grays Harbor
• USCG Aids to Navigation Team Astoria
• USCG Aids to Navigation Team Kennewick

All VHF-FM and HF radio frequencies formerly guarded 24 hours a day by USCG Group

Astoria and USCG Sector Portland will now be monitored by USCG Sector Columbia River.

Please note that all prior information on the 0700-2200 radio watch for surface operations being maintained by STATION PORTLAND remains in effect. See: http://www.division7.org/2010/08/surface-operations-radio-communications.html

Member Training - New Member Orientation

Member Training - New Member Orientation


Start Time: Aug. 14 @ 08:30

Location: Sector Portland Training Deck

The division will be hosting a new member orientation workshop on August 14. This is designed to help the newer members (anyone who did not attend last year’s orientation) learn about the aux, what missions are in our AOR, what is expect a member, dos and don’ts as a member. The instructor (Ken Babick) would also like to invite members who have been in for just over a year to present some of their trials and tribulations to help improve the process of becoming a member. I as the SO-MT would also like mentors and Human Resource staff to attend since this is could be valuable information to perform your duties.

Uniform is ODU

If you do not have ODU because you are a new member that is fine, just be in civilian clothes. If you do not have an Aux ID Card but paperwork has been submitted, you will have to be make arrangements with your flotilla to provide an escort for you to get on the base or have them inform SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni to add to list at the gate.

SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni

Surface Operations Radio Communications Change - Station Radio Guard

Shipmates,
As part of the transition from Sector Portland to the new Sector Columbia River Station Portland is now maintaining a radio watch.

Effective immediately all surface assets will maintain radio guard with STATION PORTLAND while operating within the Station Area of Responsibility (e.g. the region bounded by Puget Island, Bonneville and the Oregon City Falls) between 0700 and 2200 hours.

Guard will be maintained with SECTOR (or other guard as per policy) outside of the STATION AOR as well as overnight between the hours of 2200 and 0700.

All AUXAIR communications will remain with SECTOR or as otherwise detailed by the District AUXAIR and the responsible AIRSTA.

Bottom line: This means most communications and radio guard work done by Division 7 surface operators will be conducted with STATION.

Coxswains are directed to assure all crew are briefed on the change during pre-underway briefings. Please be cognizant that the habit of calling SECTOR may be difficult to break and that particular care should be taken before keying the microphone. Please remind each other of the changes as part of your TCT until we've established the new behavior across the surface operations community.

Best Daren and Jon James SO-CM

RBS Ready: Carbon Monoxide sticker requirement in Washington

Shipmates,
The State of Washington requires that all power driven vessels except PWCs display a Carbon Monoxide sticker. When doing vessel examinations of Washington vessels please assure compliance before issuing a Auxiliary Vessel Examination sticker. If you find this a common issue your FSO-VE can assist with procuring free CO stickers from the Washington Department of Licensing.

Full information on the requirement can be found here: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/costicker.html

August 2010 Commander's Comments

"The success of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will depend upon the extent of your participation and upon the quality of the Auxiliary leaders that you, the member, select." - Prologue to the Coast Guard Auxiliary new member pledge

Shipmates,

We are completing another outstanding summer of boating safety and operations activity -- thank you for your service across our mission areas and a special thank you to everyone who works in the background to make our activities successful. The prologue to our new member pledge correctly notes that our success is directly tied to the leaders we select for the Auxiliary. As we move towards fall it is time to consider participating in the elected and staff leadership of your Flotilla or the Division in 2011. We elect our Flotilla Commanders and Vice Commanders directly and these elected members select the staff for our programs. Before this can happen we, as members, must self select -- we must be willing to take up the leadership roles in our units and make this willingness known. I encourage each of you to consider taking up the challenge of leadership and, if you have already done so, consider continuing your current role or seeking a new position. While many of us hope to continue in our current roles we are a better organization when the next cycle of leaders are making themselves known. Those of us in elected positions serve a maximum of two, one year terms. In many cases transitions happen more often than every two years due to choices of the leader or circumstances beyond the leader's control.

Members seeking elected office must pass the Administrative Procedures Course (APC). This course is highly recommended for all staff officers as well and serves as a good introduction to the operation of the Auxiliary for all members. The APC is generally a self study course and the Auxiliary Manual is the primary text. There are student and instructor guides available from the National Training Department: http://www.cgaux.org/training/LeadershipTrainingCourses.html. The student guide includes a series of example test questions.

The APC test is taken online from the National Testing Center (http://ntc.cgaux.org/) which is accessed using your eDirectory/AuxOfficerDirectory/ShopAuxiliary password. The test has 40 questions, is not proctored and can be taken while referencing the Auxiliary Manual in an "open book" manner.

I also encourage you to discuss you interest with your elected and appointed leadership. These members can give you a sense of what the job entails.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

August 2010 Commanders Comments

"The success of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will depend upon the extent of your participation and upon the quality of the Auxiliary leaders that you, the member, select." - Prologue to the Coast Guard Auxiliary new member pledge


Shipmates,
We are completing another outstanding summer of boating safety and operations activity -- thank you for your service across our mission areas and a special thank you to everyone who works in the background to make our activities successful. The prologue to our new member pledge correctly notes that our success is directly tied to the leaders we select for the Auxiliary. As we move towards fall it is time to consider participating in the elected and staff leadership of your Flotilla or the Division in 2011. We elect our Flotilla Commanders and Vice Commanders directly and these elected members select the staff for our programs. Before this can happen we, as members, must self select -- we must be willing to take up the leadership roles in our units and make this willingness known. I encourage each of you to consider taking up the challenge of leadership and, if you have already done so, consider continuing your current role or seeking a new position. While many of us hope to continue in our current roles we are a better organization when the next cycle of leaders are making themselves known. Those of us in elected positions serve a maximum of two, one year terms. In many cases transitions happen more often than every two years due to choices of the leader or circumstances beyond the leader's control.


Members seeking elected office must pass the Administrative Procedures Course (APC). This course is highly recommended for all staff officers as well and serves as a good introduction to the operation of the Auxiliary for all members. The APC is generally a self study course and the Auxiliary Manual is the primary text. There are student and instructor guides available from the National Training Department: http://www.cgaux.org/training/LeadershipTrainingCourses.html. The student guide includes a series of example test questions.


The APC test is taken online from the National Testing Center (http://ntc.cgaux.org/) which is accessed using your eDirectory/AuxOfficerDirectory/ShopAuxiliary password. The test has 40 questions, is not proctored and can be taken while referencing the Auxiliary Manual in an "open book" manner.


I also encourage you to discuss you interest with your elected and appointed leadership. These members can give you a sense of what the job entails.


Thank you for your service,
Daren

Updated Division presentation on Sitrep

Shipmates,
At our FC/VFC meeting in July we discussed the need for an updated introduction to the Auxiliary and Division 7. I have combined a number of existing presentations and updated the information through 01 August. You may find this useful when talking to potential members or helping your family and friends understand what we do. You can download the presentation from the SlideShare link.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

2010.08 Division7 Intro and Aug 2010 Sitrep

View more presentations from Daren Lewis.

Division Meeting: Monday 02AUG2010 - Meet our new DIRAUX

Shipmates,

Our next Division meeting will be held on Monday, 02AUG2010 - 1900hrs on the Sector Portland Training Deck. The great crew from Flotilla 71 will be our host Flotilla for the meeting.

CDR Kent Chappelka, our new District 13 Director of Auxiliary, will be joining us -- the first opportunity for many of us to meet with him. This is a great opportunity to meet the DIRAUX.

Captain Tumbarello, the Sector Commander has been invited andI also expect our new Sector Auxiliary Laison Officer (AUXLO) LT Melissa Huska will join us for the meeting. 

Hope to see you there!

Thank you for your service, Daren

RBS Ready: Accident reporting standards and forms for Washington and Oregon

Shipmates,
As we do vessel exams and teach our classes one point that often comes up is the reporting requirement and dollar value threshold for reporting accidents. Luckily the policy is substantively similar in both Oregon and Washington:

Washington (via the Washington State Parks and Recreation reporting form)

Washington State law requires the operator of a recreational vessel involved in an accident to file aWashington Boat Accident Report when:

> Loss of life occurs

> Injury occurs which requires medical treatment beyond first aid

> A person disappears from a vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury

> Property damage is in excess of $2,000, or there is complete loss of a vessel

If there is an injury, disappearance or death, a report must be submitted within 48 hours. Reports in other accidents must be submitted within 10 days. If the operator cannot submit the report, the owner of the vessel is responsible.

Oregon (via the OSMB reporting form)

The operator of every vessel involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of any person, or property damage in excess of $2000 is required by law to file a written report. Reports must be submitted within 48 hours in case of death or injury, 10 days in accidents involving only property damage.

As RBS educators and advocates I recommend printing a copy of each form for your reference kit to show boaters as an example.

Thank you for your service,
Daren