Qualifications: Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist I & II and Coast Guard Public Affairs Support Specialist

Shipmates,

This morning I received a high priority request for qualified Auxiliary Public Affairs specialists to assist with Deepwater Horizon response. At the moment we've no members who hold one of these relatively new qualifications. We do have a number of members who have taken the AUX-12 course and would be well on the way to qualifying as Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist (I).

I've worked with Coast Guard Public Affairs in the field on a number of occasions and the range of work the PA members engage in and access they get to the heart of the action make these assignments interesting, challenging and very rewarding.

While we don't have anyone to offer for this immediate solicitation I strongly encourage members with relevant skills and/or interests to pursue these qualifications. Doing so will position you for future deployment to Deepwater Horizon or the next challenge we face together as a service.

Getting Qualified

We are all Public Affairs specialists in the Auxiliary. Each of us, in the course of our duties, interacts with the public and represents the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard. We rely on the skills we've picked up over the years to make these interactions successful. Few of us have any formal PA/PR training or significant PA/PR business experience. Over the last few years the Auxiliary leadership has recognized the need to provide training for, and formal recognition of, our public affairs specialists.

There are three levels of Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist (+1 since we are all PA)

• Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist
• Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist II
• Coast Guard Public Affairs Support Specialist

Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist (I)
There are two tracks to gain recognition as a PA Specialist (I).

1) Take the Auxiliary C-School AUX-12. [Definition: C-Schools are resident classes of 2-4 days with travel, food and lodging provided by the Coast Guard]  The current C-School schedule can be found here: http://cschool.auxservices.org/

For 2010 these classes will be held in:

• CGAS Clearwater - February
• CGAS Mobile - March
• CG Yard-Baltimore - April
• ISC Alameda - June 

2) Use the self-study method with online courses through followed by an oral board. Full details of this approach can be found at http://www.auxpa.org/parecog.html. There are four Auxiliary classes and you must also take ICS-100 through FEMA. The Auxiliary classes are:

• Introduction to Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs (AUX-20)
• Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 2nd Class (AUX-22)
• Journalism Basic (AUX-24)
• Introduction to Digital Photography (AUX-26)

Links to these classes can be found on the National Testing Center website (you will need to create and account to take the classes): http://ntc.cgaux.org/TrainingCourses.htm

For ICS-100a see this post: http://www.flotilla76.org/2009/08/member-training-fema-incident.html

There is a study guide and a Personnel Qualifications Standard (PQS) for the PA Specialist qualification [Definition: A PQS is a manual which lays out the requirements for a qualification and tracks mentoring and your progress - this is the standard Coast Guard approach to qualifications and is being increasingly adopted by the Auxiliary for our qualifications]


Beyond PA(I)
Once you have completed the Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist qualification you may pursue the Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist II qualification followed by the Coast Guard Public Affairs Support Specialist qualification. These are also detailed at http://www.auxpa.org/parecog.html

These are great programs and I encourage you to consider pursing the first, or all of the qualifications. Attendance at AUX-12 would be particularly useful as this prepares you to participate as a mentor and oral board member for future members seeking the qualification.

DEEPWATER HORIZON AUXILIARY RESPONSE PROGRAM SECTOR PORTLAND

From: Todd Mains, ASC
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Subject: DEEPWATER HORIZON AUXILIARY RESPONSE PROGRAM SECTOR PORTLAND

Shipmates,

Many of you have asked me how you can support the Coast Guard’s response to the DEEPWATER HORIZON spill in the Gulf.  Your characteristic willingness to help makes me proud to be an Auxiliarist.  I have taken on the role of Incident Commander for the Sector Portland Auxiliary response.  Attached you will find a message from Commander Zamperini, Deputy Commander at Sector Portland.  If you are interested in volunteering, read the message carefully, go to the web site, and answer the questions thoughtfully.

Remember that in a emergent incident, the situation can change abruptly and dramatically.  Be prepared to be flexible.

If you have a question, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

Please distribute this email to all Auxiliarists in Sector Portland.

Very Respectfully,

Todd Mains
Auxiliary Sector Coordinator, Sector Portland
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

From: CDR Michael Zamperini
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010

Shipmates,

We currently have more than 40 Active Duty and Reserve members deployed to the Gulf from Sector Portland. Once again, as we've done so many times in the past 70+ years, we are counting upon our Auxiliary shipmates to stand shoulder to shoulder with us as we meet the challenge in the Gulf while continuing our ongoing missions and maintaining readiness. In the words of our PACAREA Commander, VADM Manson K. Brown, "...the Coast Guard's response to the Deepwater Horizon incident is the highest operational priority for our Service. We play a lead role in the response because of our authorities and competencies, and because of the high expectations placed on us by the American people Admiral Papp has charged us to take an "all hands on deck" approach to meeting the challenges of this crisis."

Your support carrying out all your authorized Coast Guard missions, from Recreational Boating Safety to direct Augmentation at Sector and your local Coast Guard units, has been critical in the last 60 days and has been a factor as we determine who we can deploy to the Gulf. We're in this unprecedented response for the long haul. To that end are working to develop additional opportunities for Auxiliarists to contribute. We need help locally and there may be opportunities for those willing, able and properly qualified to deploy to the Gulf.

We recognize that Auxiliarists bring unique skills and a great deal of experience beyond your Auxiliary qualifications. We have prepared a survey that focuses on these areas.

Please complete the survey here:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFdOZnRZRjY1V3pHaWIyN3I4NEduZ3c6MQ

Please note that all current direct solicitations for Auxiliarists are listed at the bottom of the survey. If you check these boxes and indicate willingness and ability to deploy we will send your request for approval via DIRAUX, no further action is required. As additional solicitations are received we will add them to the survey.

As we respond to this incident with "all hands on deck" the needs of the service will be constantly in flux. You are valuable members of our team and your willingness to assist is critical. Please remember that actual utilization of any member of our team (active, reserve, civilian, Auxiliary or partners) is subject to the needs of the service and the nation at a given moment. Flexibility, adaptability and managing risk must be our watchwords.

Thank you for your service and devotion to duty,
CDR Michael Zamperini
U.S. Coast Guard
Deputy Sector Commander, Portland, Oregon

SOLICITATION FOR AUXILIARY SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL

Shipmates,
Hopefully you have seen this via email.


Until otherwise directed please submit your interest in participating via your Flotilla Commander and cc: Todd Mains our ASC. We will process all submissions expeditiously.


Thank you for your service,
Daren


To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: SOLICITATION FOR AUXILIARY SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE DEEPWATER
HORIZON OIL SPILL -028/10

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, and it can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/.

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.

P 221500Z JUN 10
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-DCO//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N16790//
ALCOAST 324/10
COMDTNOTE 16790
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR AUXILIARY SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE DEEPWATER
HORIZON OIL SPILL A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 122130Z JUN 10/ALCOAST
308/10 1. REF A DESCRIBED THE LARGEST OIL SPILL IN HISTORY THAT HAS RESULTED
FROM THE DEEPWATER HORIZON DRILLING RIG EXPLOSION, FIRE AND SINKING, AND IT
CALLED FOR AN ALL HANDS ON DECK RESPONSE AS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE
COAST GUARD. OUR PRESENT MISSION REQUIRES USE OF EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE TO
TACKLE THIS SPILL AT THE SOURCE, ON THE SEA, AND AS A LAST RESORT, WHEN IT
COMES ASHORE. THIS HAS BECOME A MISSION OF UNPARALLELED PROPORTION. AS TIME
HAS PASSED, THE BREADTH AND SCOPE OF SPILL IMPACTS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY
EXPANDED AND REQUIRE LONG-TERM, COORDINATED ACTION THAT IS EXPECTED TO LAST
THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF CY2010. IT IS THEREFORE VITAL TO THE PRINCIPLES OF
EFFECTIVE PRESENCE AND UNITY OF EFFORT TO FURTHER INCORPORATE AUXILIARY
RESOURCES INTO RESPONSE OPERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED SUSTAINMENT PLANS.
2. AUXILIARISTS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE COAST GUARD LONG-TERM
DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE STRATEGY. HOWEVER, THERE IS CURRENTLY AN
IMMEDIATE NEED FOR AUXILIARY SKILL SETS IN SUPPORT OF THIS MISSION, AS
FOLLOWS:
  A. FIELD RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION ALONG COASTAL REGIONS ARE A PRIORITY.
THUS, AUXILIARISTS ARE NEEDED WHO POSSESS AUXILIARY TRIDENT PROGRAM
QUALIFICATIONS, WITH EMPHASIS ON ASSISTANT POLLUTION RESPONSE SPECIALISTS,
ASSISTANT POLLUTION INVESTIGATORS, PREVENTION OUTREACH SPECIALISTS (FORMERLY
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SPECIALISTS), AND MARINE SAFETY
WATCHSTANDERS.
  B. AUXILIARISTS WHO POSSESS INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS) COURSE
COMPLETIONS AT ALL LEVELS INCLUDING THOSE ABOVE ICS-210.
  C. AUXILIARISTS ARE ALSO NEEDED TO AUGMENT/BACKFILL AT COAST GUARD
SECTORS AND SECTOR UNITS AS ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL ARE ASSIGNED ELSEWHERE.
AUXILIARY WATCHSTANDING AND OPERATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE PREFERRED.
3. ALL ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRE STRONG INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND ICS FAMILIARITY
(AT LEAST ICS-100 COMPLETION).
4. DUE TO HOT AND HUMID OUTDOOR WEATHER CONDITIONS, FIELD ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE
ARDUOUS. AUXILIARISTS MUST CONSIDER THIS IN DETERMINING THEIR WILLINGNESS
AND ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE, AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET A MEDICAL EVALUATION
TO CONFIRM SUCH PRIOR TO APPLICATION.
5. DURATION: ASSIGNMENTS WILL REQUIRE ON-SCENE COMMITMENT OF AT LEAST 30
DAYS. NORMAL WORK DAYS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE,
BUT ADDITIONAL OR EMERGENT WORK REQUIREMENTS MAY ARISE WHILE ON-SCENE.
6. APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE: AUXILIARISTS ARE BEING SOLICITED FROM ALL
16 AUXILIARY REGIONS. AUXILIARISTS WHO DESIRE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS MISSION
MUST APPLY FOR APPROVAL THROUGH THEIR REGIONAL CHAIN OF LEADERSHIP. THEY
MUST GAIN THE APPROVAL OF THEIR DISTRICT COMMODORE
(DCO) AND DIRECTOR OF AUXILIARY (DIRAUX) PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE ORDER
ISSUING AUTHORITY AND CENTRAL STAGING AREA. DIRAUX SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MONITORING AND TRACKING AUXILIARY PARTICIPANTS WHO DEPLOY FROM THEIR
RESPECTIVE REGIONS.
7. ORDER ISSUING AUTHORITY / CENTRAL STAGING AREA / GENERAL
PROCESSING:
  A. AUXILIARISTS WHO VOLUNTEER FOR THESE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PLACED IN A
TAD STATUS AND WILL BE AUTHORIZED FULL PER DIEM AND TRAVEL.
  B. THE ORDER ISSUING AUTHORITY FOR THIS MISSION IS THE UNIFIED AREA
COMMAND (UAC) LOCATED IN ROBERT, LOUISIANA.
  C. THE CENTRAL STAGING AREA THROUGH WHICH ALL PARTICIPATING AUXILIARISTS
WILL BE PROCESSED IS LOCATED AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL,
2829 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD, KENNER, LOUISIANA 70062/(504) 508-0708.
  D. ONCE PROCESSED THROUGH THE CENTRAL STAGING AREA, AUXILIARISTS WILL BE
ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THE FOUR INCIDENT COMMAND POSTS (ICP) IN PENSACOLA,
FLORIDA, HOUMA, LOUISIANA, MOBILE, ALABAMA, OR MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
8. ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT FUTURE AUXILIARY RESOURCE NEEDS AND SCHEDULING
WILL BE PROMULGATED AS DEVELOPED. COAST GUARD AUXILIARISTS HAVE ANSWERED THE
CALL FOR 71 YEARS, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN AS UNIQUELY CHALLENGING AS THIS
ASSIGNMENT. YOUR CONSIDERATION AND CONCERTED EFFORT AS SHIPMATES IN
ANSWERING THIS BELL ARE ALREADY APPRECIATED AND ADMIRED. SEMPER PARATUS.
9. RELEASED BY RADM B.M. SALERNO, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT

8. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

9. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

10. CG-5421 sends.

Rose Festival Bravo Zulu & responding to the oil spill in the Gulf

Shipmates,
On Sunday at 1830 we stood down the safety zone for the Rose Festival Dragon Boat races, completing a twelve day period of Rose Festival activity from the departure to Astoria of our escort vessels to the last crew home on Sunday. This effort was the culmination of months of planning by our operations and communication teams in conjunction with our active duty, reserve and civilian Coast guard shipmates, the US Navy, Federal and local law enforcement and many other partners. I continue to receive numerous complements on your professionalism and devotion to duty. To those of you who participated in planning, set-up, break down, as crew, as coxswains, as facility owners, as communicators, in the air, or in any other way, thank you for your service and leadership. A particular thank you to Mr. Verkest, our SO-OP, and Mr. James, our SO-CM, for their efforts over many months and for the devotion with which they carried out their duties.

Usually when we emerge from Rose Festival we've a pleasant summer of operations and RBS activities ahead of us. This year we find our service, the Coast Guard, once again called to meet a challenge with all hands on deck. The unfolding oil spill in the Gulf is the Coast Guard's number one priority. If you have not yet done so please read Commandant Papp's message to the service on our mission and our duty [http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/06/adm-papp-rallies-the-coast-guard/].

As the Coast Guard re-deploys people and assets to respond, many of our active duty and reserve shipmates from Sector Portland have deployed. While at this time there has been no general call for Auxiliarists to volunteer for deployment (the requisite skills for direct response are not widely held within the Auxiliary) we are busy looking at ways the Auxiliary can support Sector Portland's ongoing prevention and response activities, support the families of our deployed shipmates, and build the skills of our members to support what is likely to be a very long effort in the Gulf. I promise to have more information in the near future. Being focused on this effort does not reduce the possibility of another incident of any type from occurring locally, in our region, across our country or elsewhere in the world. I'm asking each of you to look to your personal and unit readiness:

ICS: The response effort runs completely on the Incident Command System (ICS). If you are not familiar with the Incident Command System now is the time to complete the IS 100/200/700/800 sequence [see: http://www.flotilla76.org/2009/08/member-training-fema-incident.html]. If you have completed the initial series please consider additional classroom training. The next ICS 300 dates will be reposted to the blog this week. Consider an ICS tabletop drill in your unit or with a few shipmates.

Qualifications: While Auxiliary qualifications are not currently being requested for the spill response, this is a time to take stock and resolve any currency issues. If you have only a few last steps to complete for a particular qualification please complete these steps. If you've only met the minimum requirements for your qualification please consider getting our and getting the practice required to improve proficiency. We need to maximize the number of members qualified, current and proficient to improve our ability to respond locally or Nationally.

Family preparedness: Please look to the welfare of your families, neighbors, and shipmates. Should we have a local incident you will not be able to turn your attention to the community until your friends, family and neighbors are safe and provisioned. Check your emergency supplies and please be an advocate for preparedness in our community.

Please check the Division blog regularly (you can subscribe via email) as we will be posting a variety of training opportunities and other news. Critical information will also be distributed via the Chain of Leadership.


We are a small service with a very large set of missions. As the Coast Guard focuses on the response effort, and we prepare to assist, it is also important to keep a steady watch and not loose sight of our other missions. At this time the Nation can ill afford us to be inattentive to our maritime security nor can her citizens afford not to have us out there doing our work that saves lives.


Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty!


Thank you for your service,
Daren

TCT Refresher & Damage Control Training July 10

TCT refresher @ 08:00 on Sector's Training Deck

Division will be providing one more TCT refresher course on July 10. Therefore, those of you who still have not completed your TCT refresher this would be a great time. The Damage Control Training will follow the TCT refresher at 09:00.

Sector Portland’s Fisheries department will be providing damage control training. This training is a hand-on course where members will have the chance, in a safe environment, to learn and practice skills needed control damage taken while underway. The damage control trainer simulates different problems that can occur on a vessel such as broken pipes and hall damage.

If anyone has any questions please send them to SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni.

Intro to the Auxiliary and RBS presentation

Shipmates,
On Thursday, 10JUN2010 I gave a presentation to a lunch and learn session organized by the Portland Water Bureau and the Portland Office of Emergency Management. In the hour+ session I spoke briefly about the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary before giving a Recreational Boating Safety talk focused on life jackets and cold water issues. I've embedded the slides I used here:

2010.06 - City of Portland RBS Presentation

View more presentations from Daren Lewis.

Please feel free to use any or all of these slides in your own outreach.

Daren

Division Meeting: Monday 07JUN2010

Shipmates,
Just a reminder that we have a Division meeting tomorrow, 07JUN2010. FL71 is the host Flotilla.

There are a number of items for discussion and I look forward to seeing you there as we discuss our post-Rose Festival summer activities.

V/r. Daren

Rose Festival Fleet Week: Underway

Shipmates,
Thank you for all the hard work over the last few days and for your continuing devotion to duty in the coming days while our shipmates from the Navy are in our care.

As you upload photos and video please send me links to your work so I can feature the material here on the blog. Here are a few from Friday at the Fire Station Pier, this same set will be updated with more photos as the opportunity arises.

Rose Festival Fleet Week: Public Information

Shipmates, D13 Public Affairs has released a number of pieces of useful information related to Rose Festival.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Coast Guard will enforce and maintain a controlled access area on the Willamette River while Navy and Coast Guard vessels are tied up at the seawall between the Steel and Morrison Bridges beginning 12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 3, until 12:00 p.m. Monday, June 7.

Boaters who need to pass through the controlled access area must contact the Coast Guard security escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.

Commercial vessels have made special transit arrangements with the Captain of the Port, Portland, prior to this year’s Fleet Week.

All boaters, kayakers, personal watercraft operators and canoeists are asked to avoid the security zone altogether.  However, if a boater does need to transit the controlled access are, they may experience a waiting period.

Those wishing to transit the security zone must follow these simple rules:

• No firearms permitted inside the controlled access area.
• Boaters wishing to transit the controlled access area are required to wait in pre-identified staging areas for official patrol escorts.
• Staging areas are located on the east side of the river just north of the Steel Bridge and just south of the Morrison Bridge
• Delays are expected and vessels may be boarded before being escorted through the controlled access area.  Please plan accordingly.
• While transiting the controlled access area, all vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course and shall proceed as directed by the official Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol escort.
• Vessels will follow the official Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol escort in a single file line and must stay to the east bank of the river.  Do not break away from the escort line.

Violations of a controlled access area may result in a penalty action under the provision of 33 USC 1231 (maximum fine of $37,500).
Additional information about Fleet Week and Rose Fest can be found at:
http://www.rosefestival.org/events/fleet/



PORTLAND, Ore. – Five Coast Guard cutters and a motor life boat are scheduled to arrive in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, June 2, in celebration of Rosefest.

Coast Guard Cutters Fir and Alert, homeported in Astoria, Ore., Coast Guard Cutter Bluebell and Motor Life Boat Triumph from Portland, Ore., as well as Coast Guard Cutters Henry Blake and Blue Shark, both out of Everett, Wash., are scheduled to arrive at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the Willamette River, just north of the Morrison Bridge, at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 2.

The cutters and motor life boat will remain at Tom McCall Waterfront Park through Sunday and are scheduled to be open to the public at the following times:

• Thursday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Friday, June 4, 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m.

• Saturday, June 5, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

• Sunday, June 6, 9:00 -11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m.

The Coast Guard cordially invites the public to come aboard.