cert issue no. 34 july/august, 2014 from the executive...
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Submitted by Don JanelleEvery two months I try to compose something for our Airwaves newsletter that I think is timely and interesting. For this issue I was thinking about who composes the Executive Committee and what they do. We all know who the folks are on the Committee. If you are not sure, just glance to the left and you will see a list of the names of the Committee members.
Each of our Executive Committee members has different talents and capabilities, some of them very specific and highly specialized. However, they do all share one common trait. They are very interested in making sure that our Manchester CERT team continues to grow and flourish. I can honestly say they do that and more.
Have you noticed how many of your leadership team have taken the initiative and coordinated a special event – or two? Let’s think about this…
Mike Pollack, in addition to having a thriving law practice and kids in sports, continues to set up •training evolutions for the MBSAR and its sister teams.Rich Claing along with Paul Gibson and Greg Vinci keep the repeaters• and the ham shack on the air whenever we need it. They also have regular jobs and families.Kate Wilson just took the lead, along with Bruce Kramer, for the Town• sponsored Homeland Day. If you don’t think that was tough – just ask Kate!Bob Kovach coordinates volunteers for the annual Katie’s Run event in Wethersfield• , all while relocating his extended family to Lebanon, CT.Another person in the law field, Kathy Phelps, chairs the Manchester portion of the MS walks. •A much slimmer Bill Pringle has retired from CCSU and is now intimately• involved with the plan-ning committee for Cruisin’ on Main Street. This annual event has evolved into a rather large task – coordinating over 80 people on the day of the event.Bruce Kramer works fulltime for Pratt and Whitney and is still able• to keep our CP6 mobile unit ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. This probably goes unnoticed by many, but it is a crucial task. Scott Somes also helps Bruce with the unit.Captain Scott Somes and Lieutenant Bruce Kramer,• the only two designated ranks in our team, are in charge of coordinating the five Fire Police Duty Officers, who in turn watch over the 30 Fire Police Officers on our team.There is another person some folks don’t see as much,• because she is a busy lady. She sings on a choir, has a 2nd degree Black Belt, and serves as our lead CERT instructor, our team statistician & our EOC support staff lead. Who is it? Our own Holly Jacobs. Behind the scenes, she is a key person on our team. Holly is ably assisted by Fran Diana. Hmmm… another person in the legal field. Maybe we should open a law firm! Just KIDDING! Fran keeps all our files in order as well as assists Holly with EOC support.
Continued
July/August, 2014Issue No. 34
From the Executive CommitteeWho we are
Manchester, Connecticut CERT operates under the direction of the Town of Manchester Emergency Management Agency.
Executive Committee
Manchester’s Community Emergency Response Team
1
Newsletter TeamJerry BujauciusEditor
Matt CostaGraphic Design
Al BelandPeter BeckwithKaren ClaingRich ClaingFrancene DianaAnita GillespieHolly JacobsDon JanelleBruce KramerChris MarvinMike PollackBill PringleDanielle SaffiottiScott Somes Jim ToddPete VernesoniAl WilliamsKathy Wilson
Continued from page #1
I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention two other individuals.• Jerry Bujaucus and Matt Costa regularly produce our Airwaves newsletter. Without these two guys our newsletter might not even exist. And, if it did exist, it might just be a plain piece of paper. Airwaves is certainly one of our best ways to keep the team informed of what has hap-pened, what our plans are and what is coming up in the near future.There are many more individuals who have stepped up. I just can’t remember them all.•
Enough for platitudes! So, why did I take the time to make this list?
I believe it is very important to recognize everyone’s input on the team. Also, it is important to stress that our CERT success is not because of any one individual. Instead, it is a great example of the sum total being greater than just adding up all of the individual parts. Everyone’s participation – no matter how large or small it is – is very important to our team. Our leaders will provide guidance, help with direction and ensure that we stay operationally strong. But it is all of the contributions of each and every member that allow us to be ready to respond to a call for help from any person or agency in Manchester (or beyond the Town limits).
I want to personally thank the people on the Executive Committee for their hard work to make the Manchester CERT team better. I also want to thank all of the “rank and file” members of the team. Although it goes without saying, I am always happy to say it out loud and put it in writing - Without all of you none of this would be possible! Thank you so very much.
Don J.
July/August, 2014
From the Executive CommitteeWho we are
Paul Gibson has generously offered his cottage at Westerly, RI for our annual CERT picnic. SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 24. From 10:00am - ??? This is a family affair so bring the kids, bathing suits, kayaks and games. Hot dogs, hamburgs, condiments, soda, water and corn on the cob will be provided. If you are going to attend please let Don know if you will be bringing a salad (potato, green or other), a desert (what type) or other items. Please bring a chair. We have tables and tents. Please let Don know if:
1. You are going to attend.
2. Number of people attending.
3. What item will you be bringing.
RSVPDon Janelle
CERT Picnic @ Paul’s
2
It’s not too late!To volunteer for the 14th annual Cruisin On Main Street.If you haven’t volunteered yet and wish to help out, we NEED all the help we can get. Volunteers will receive a free tee-shirt. Lunch will provided by CJ’s with a choice of meat or veggie grinder. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE…PLEASE REPLY ASAP!
Reply to Holly: [email protected].
As always, THANK YOU to all who have already volunteered!
July/August, 20143
Manchester CERT Member Awarded ARRL Scholarship
Submitted by Holly Jacobs; additional info from Paul Gibson
Congratulations to our own Manchester CERT member Alexander Jacobs for being named as the 2014 recipient of the New England Federation of Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Associations (FEMARA) Scholarship. The Officers and Directors of the ARRL Foundation selected Alexander to receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for the 2014-2015 academic school year. Note, they typically offer only 3-6 scholarships per year.
Alexander has been a “junior” member of our CERT team since April 2008. During this time, he became a ham radio operator with the call sign KB1QJJ. Alexander has used his ham radio license and skills to do net check-in’s, as well as acting as the net control.
For the last several years, Alexander has volunteered as a side street monitor at the annual Cruisin’ On Main Street car show event. He has also worked as a ham radio operator on other occasions, such as road races, shelters, EOC support, etc. Alexander currently is a student at the University of High School of Science and Engineering in Hartford. He plans to attend the University of New Haven in August to study math.
The ARRL is the administrator for many scholarships funded by local amateur clubs and other “ham friendly” groups around the country. This particular scholarship that Alexander has been awarded is funded by the organization which holds the great Boxboro hamfest on the even number years, in Boxboro MA. Over the years many Manchester CERT volunteers have attended this event and acquired many “treasures” which can only be found at a great hamfest.
To learn more about the ARRL Foundation, please visit www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation .
4 July/August, 2014
During times of heavy rain and thunderstorms, we often hear about the possibility of flash floods. There are different types of flash floods and it can be useful to know and understand what the differences are.
A Flash Flood Watch…
…means a flash flood • is possible in the area.Conditions are more favorable than usual for its occurrence. •It is a recommendation for planning, preparation, and increased awareness.•Be alert for changing weather and listen for further information.•Think about what to do if the danger materializes.•Be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.•
A Flash Flood Warning…
…means a flash flood • is occurring or will occur very soon.Take immediate action to protect life and property.•If advised, evacuate immediately.•Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains.•
Also, an Urban and Small Stream Advisory…
…means • to be alert regarding potential flooding of small streams, streets, urban storm drains, underpasses, and low lying areas.
If you are caught in a flash flood situation…
Do not try to walk through water above your ankles.•Do not attempt to drive through water.•Do not drive around barricades – there are there for your safety.•If your car stalls in rapidly rising water, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.•
Do You Know The Difference?Flash Flood Warning vs. Flash Flood Watch
July/August, 20145
As we head into the summer months, the opportunity for tornados to develop become much greater. While they are still a somewhat rare event for our state, this is another weather event that we seem to need to prepare for. Here are some important tips that can keep you safe during a tornado.
Listen to the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), commercial radio or television newscasts for the 1. latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials. In the Hartford area, check out NWR station WXJ-41 at 162.475 MHz.Be alert to your surroundings and changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.2.
Look for the following danger signs: 3.
Dark, often greenish sky•Large hail•A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if it is rotating)•Loud roar of thunder, similar to a freight train•If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs,• be prepared to take shelter immediately.
If you are caught in a car during a tornado, you should take the following actions:
Stay in the car with the seat belt on.• Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion, if possible. If you can safely get lower than the level of the roadway,• leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. •Never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck. •
Tornado factoid: according to the National Weather Service, between 1985 and 2008, 9% of all of the people killed by tornados were in their vehicles when it happened.
Can you think of any other tornado tips that should be on this list?
CERT TIP - Tornado Preparedness
www.iaem.com
The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), which has more than 6,000 members worldwide, is the preeminent international non-profit organization of emergency management professionals. IAEM is dedicated to promoting the “Principles of Emergency Management” and representing professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters.
IAEM currently has over 6,000 members worldwide and is one of the major non-profit organizations of emergency management professionals. Their vision of the organization is to be recognized as a premier international organization of emergency management professionals. Their primary mission is to serve their members by providing information, networking and professional opportunities, and to advance the emergency management profession.
IAEM provides various services to its members and the public at large. They created the Certified Emergency Manager program to raise and maintain professional standards for emergency managers. Also, they formed a Professional Standards Advisory Council of subject matter experts to determine the best way to implement standards. IAEM defines professional benchmarks and provides practitioners with a certification program to document their qualifications.
The cost to become an IAEM member in the United States is $185 annually. However, many areas of the website are free and open to anyone. Check out the following page to see the IAEM definition, vision, mission and principles for emergency management. Take a look at the IAEM website if you want to learn more about resource information available for emergency management professionals.
Some previous Websites You Should Know:
< www.nsie.org
< www.arrl.org
< www.ct.gov/demhs
< www.skywarn.org
< www.getreadycapitolregion.org
< www.ccsar.org
< www.citizencorps.gov
< www.ready.gov
July/August, 20146
Websites You Should Know
Welcome
NSIE
Manchester E. O. C.
DefinitionEmergency management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.
VisionEmergency management seeks to promote safer, less vulnerable communities with the capacity to cope with hazards and disasters.
MissionEmergency Management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
PrinciplesEmergency Management must be:
Comprehensive1. — emergency managers consider and take into account all hazards, all phases, all stakeholders and all impacts relevant to disasters.Progressive2. — emergency managers anticipate future disasters and take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and disaster-resilient communities.Risk-Driven3. — emergency managers use sound risk management principles (hazard identification, risk analysis, and impact analysis) in assigning priorities and resources.Integrated4. — emergency managers ensure unity of effort among all levels of government and all elements of a community.Collaborative5. — emergency managers create and sustain broad and sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus, and facilitate communication.Coordinated6. — emergency managers synchronize the activities of all relevant stakeholders to achieve a common purpose.Flexible7. — emergency managers use creative and innovative approaches in solving disaster challenges.Professional8. — emergency managers value a science and knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience, ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.
International Association of Emergency ManagersEmergency Management
Definition, Vision, Mission, Principles
July/August, 20147
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