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.