Submitted by Don Janelle As we begin to switch our focus from the summer and fall months to the winter season, this is a good opportunity to reflect back on what transpired in 2014 and some things we can look forward to in 2015.

Although the 2014 year began quietly, there were a few times when we opened the EOC but just with a skeleton crew of CERT staff. We were also able to hold impromptu “Snow NETS” for our Radio and Emergency Communications people during some of the major storms we experienced. These Nets were a great opportunity to use our Ham radio equipment and skills. At the same time we were able to check on our teammates’ wellbeing. We did not have a lot of emergency activations this year -- and that’s always a good thing! However, we did receive many service assistance requests for a number of different public events. Just to name a few, these included the Taste of Manchester, Cruisin’ on Main Street, the Manchester Thanksgiving Day Road Race, Manchester History Days, Jamie’s Run, the July 4th Fire Works displays in both Vernon and Manchester and the Lutz Museum Farm Day.

In 2014, our Manchester CERT team celebrated our 10th year as an organized team -- we are the 2nd oldest team in CT and remain the oldest team in Region 3. We celebrated our anniversary with a recognition ceremony at the Cheney Hall. Many dignitaries and past team leaders – including Paul Benyeda and Heather Burford -- made the trip to Manchester to help us celebrate this milestone.

Our Manchester CERT team has a dedicated group of individuals who serve as instructors. Without this cadre of instructors, it would not be possible to offer the classes that we have every year. From the basic CERT class to the CPR refresher, to Ham Technician and General classes, to navigation refresher classes, to Fire Police certification classes and many more, these instructors give us their valuable time and expertise to make our team even stronger than it already is. Finally, we have a couple of folks who publish this li’l thing called Airwaves. That is one huge job and they do it superbly!

We did lose some teammates this year due to relocation. Don and Pam Foster moved south to Florida. Executive Committee member Bob Kovach moved his family to Lebanon but he still maintains close ties to the CERT family. Brian Clark (MBSAR) has moved to Hawaii (lucky guy!). Alexander Jacobs, who received his ham license at the ripe old age of 10 or so, has grown up and is away at college. My, oh my, how time does fly! And finally, Mike Pollack, our former MBSAR team lead, has passed the leadership baton (or is that batons?) to Diego Lopez and John Byram. Mike will continue to be active with MBSAR but he has to devote more time to his new law practice.

Of course, there were many other activities, classes, parties, people joining the team and people leaving the team. But, I wanted to reflect and highlight some of the comings and goings during the past year. Maybe it will cause you to pause and think back about what you did and remember something else I didn’t mention. In any case, it is always good to take the time and reflect on what we did and what we accomplished in 2014. Plus, we can start to think and plan for a successful 2015 – for Manchester CERT as well as in our personal lives.

Enjoy the holiday season and stay safe -- Don J

November/December, 2014Issue No. 36

From the Executive Committee

Manchester, Connecticut CERT operates under the direction of the Town of Manchester Emergency Management Agency.

Executive Committee

Manchester’s Community Emergency Response Team

Executive Committee

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

November/December, 2014

CERT Holiday PartySaturday, December 13, 2014

Masonic Temple25 East Center Street

Manchester, CT

Parking available at the Weiss Building and Lincoln Center Parking Lots. Entrance to the Masonic Temple is at the back of the building

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Social HourAdult Beverages are welcome and encouraged

7:00 p.m. Pot Luck Dinner(see attached list of items to sign up for)

Door PrizesYankee Swap ($25 limit)

Photo Booth

Everyone bring an ornament to help decorate the CERT Tree!(only one ornament per couple)

Please email Linda Bycholski @ bycholskil@yahoo.comby Saturday, November 29th and let her know

(1) if you will be attending, (2) if you are bringing a guest and(3) what item from the list you will be brining.

CERT Holiday PartyMenu Items

This is a list of items we would like people to pick from for the party. We will need 2 people to bring each item in the amount specified in order to have enough for everyone. If the item you sign up for is already been taken then I will email you to let you know that you need to pick something else. Otherwise, if you do not hear from me then everything is good.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at bycholskil@yahoo.com

AppetizersCheese, Pepperoni and Cracker PlatterVeggie Tray50 ct Box of Assorted ChipsDipsPeanutsM&M’s

Main CourseHam Chicken Meatballs Pulled Pork 2 lbs. Pasta with SauceLarge Pan of Sausage & Peppers2 cans of Baked BeansLg pan of Roasted PotatoesSalads – Garden w/dressing Caesar Potato Macaroni Pasta Fruit Cole Slaw3 doz Dinner Rolls35lb Bag of IceDesserts2 Batches of Brownies2 doz. Cookies or lg. cookie platterCakesPiesTiny Jell-O Molds

Will also need a few volunteers to help with setup and/or cleanup.

November/December, 2014

November/December, 2014

Submitted by Jim Todd

Yes, it was WB1GIE operating as K9OEM, running the METNet Net on Tuesday evening, Sept. 2nd. Ray, KB1JJX, had called me early that evening to remind me that it was my turn, so I promptly started the Net at 7:00pm.

The Net preamble script was dutifully read that said this is an opportunity, among other things, to develop our radio communication skills so that we are operationally ready with our equipment. We always open the Net on the 145.33 repeater. I used to include in the script that we had an emphasis on operating in the VHF Simplex mode as well, but I left that out this time and planned to just do the roll call, then ask for comments and announcements and close the Net.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, fate did not go along with my planned operation. But that is why we practice. Sometimes it is necessary to improvise. But I blew it. Improvised actions would have been a lot louder over the air than these words.

After 11 check-ins, there seemed to be a longer silence than normal for another check-in, and we usually have more check-ins than that. But hearing no further responses, I asked for the usual comments and announcements. Nothing heard. Not even Ray, who usually announces whose turn it is next. I thought maybe he went for a bathroom break not expecting the net to be done this soon. So I dumbfoundedly closed the Net. As it turned out at that point, I was talking to myself. But that was for the better because you would have heard my puzzled and incoherent closing of the Net.

I then called Ray on my land-line. He confirmed also hearing nothing from Net Control. Finally, we figured it out -- the repeater went down!

So, how might I have improvised? First of all, not hearing responses, and not hearing the normal repeater tail-off sound after un-keying my mike, should have clued me in that the repeater was down. They are not infallible, even though we are used to working with them week after week without any problems. Second, it is important to program a channel in our radios with the output frequency (145.330) of the repeater in Simplex mode.

With Net Control realizing the repeater being down, he or she would change channels to the 145.330 Simplex setting. Net Control would then be heard by members on the Net. Net Control would then request all members to change their channel to the 145.33 Simplex mode so that they could carry on the Net in direct Simplex mode.

Let’s all program the repeater output frequency in Simplex mode into our radios, so we don’t wind up being a bunch of babbling radio operators talking to ourselves. (WB1GIE has the output frequency programmed, but I admit, I blew it.)

METNet Net Control Talks to Himself

Please congratulate ourManchester CERT

2014 Volunteer of the Year

Peter VernesoniPeter is a member of our Executive Committee.

He leads our Manchester CERT CCSAR team.

Peter is a past President of the state CCSAR organization.

He is our chief resource for navigation training – maps, compass use, GPS, etc.

Peter is always willing to answer any question or help any Manchester CERT team member at any time.

And, he does it all with the patience and composure of the true gentleman that he is.

Peter – From your Manchester CERT teammates…

THANK YOU!!!

November/December, 2014

November/December, 2014

State of Connecticut9th Annual CERT Training Program

The 9th Annual CERT Training program has already passed us by. But the class descriptions below might give you some ideas for your 2015 training plans.

Communications Basics: This class will provide a basic knowledge of radios normally available to CERT Teams. Proper radio etiquette will be discussed. Channel selections, command and control techniques will be outlined. Message sending and tracking will be reviewed.

WebEOC: As a member of CERT you may be asked during an emergency to work in a municipality’s EOC as a data-entry clerk on WebEOC. This class will teach you all the necessary tools to use this web-based application.

Downed Power Lines/ & Gas Leak Issues Overview: Presented by CL&P technicians, this overview will cover the following topics: overview of electricity, the electric system and typical electric equipment, back-feeds, step and touch potential hazards, effects of electrical contact, wires down safety precau-tions and CL&P’s graded priority response system (Priority 1/2/3 System). Yankee Gas technicians will present an overview of topics covering escaping gas hazard protocols that civilians should follow when confronted by this type of event.

Shelter Staffing Fundamentals: Presented by the Red Cross: Our commitment as shelter workers is to take care of the sheltering needs of people affected by disaster. This class will prepare you to as-sist in the tasks of a shelter worker throughout the opening, organizing, operating and closing phases of a shelter. You will review the sheltering checklists, learn how to complete appropriate registration forms, set up and monitor the dormitory, set up food distribution areas and return the shelter to its pre-disaster condition. At the end of the class real shelter scenarios will be discussed.

Cert Animal Response I: This module contains: Animal Issues in emergency management, Animal-re-lated emergency management functions, Disaster planning for your animals, General animal behavior, Preview of CERT animal response II class.

CERT Animal Response II: This module contains: The role of CERT in responding to animal issues, CERT responder safety when dealing with animals, Knowledge and skills needed for CERT functions that may involve animals, Sources for animal training and information.

November/December, 2014

CyberSecurity Awareness TipsStaying SAFE on the Internet

November/December, 2014

When you learned to cross the street as a youngster, you learned (hopefully) to first stop and then look both ways to make sure it was safe to cross. Staying safe on the Internet is like that because it requires a similar degree of common sense. Remember to STOP and THINK before you CONNECT to the Internet. STOP: Before you use the Internet, take the time to understand the risks of what you are doing and learn how to spot potential problems.

Stop hackers from accessing your accounts by setting secure passwords.•Stop sharing too much information by keeping your personal infor• mation just to yourself.When in doubt, stop and trust your gut instincts. If something doesn’t feel• right or does not seem proper, STOP what you are doing.

THINK: Take a moment to be certain the path ahead is clear. Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact your privacy, your safety, or even your family’s safety.

Think about the information you want to share • before you share it.Think how your online actions can affect your offline life. Remember• that everything you post can live online forever.Think before you act — don’t automatically click on links. •

CONNECT: Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing that you have taken the right steps to safeguard yourself, your computer and your information.

Connect over secure networks.•Connect with people you know.•Connect with care and be on the lookout for potential threats.•

Protect yourself and help keep the web a safer place for everyone.

For more information visit the National Cyber Security Alliance website at http://www.staysafeonline.org

November/December, 2014

Websites You Should KnowLinkedIn Community – Community Emergency Response Team

www.linkedin.com Interests Groups

This version of “Websites You Should Know” is a bit different than others that have been previously mentioned. In the past the websites discussed have usually been a specific website or URL of the form www.xxx.com or maybe a government website. Today, we review a specific LinkedIn community website.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking service. It was launched in 2003 and is mainly used for professional networking. In 2006, LinkedIn had about 20 million members but that has risen to over 250 million in 2014. Today it is regularly one of the top 20 most visited websites on the entire world wide web.

LinkedIn also provides numerous communities for groups of people who share common interests. Today, LinkedIn has over one million of these groups ranging in size from just one member to those with thousands of members. The majority of the largest groups are employment related, but many groups have been created to support a wide range of topics including professional and career issues.

One group that might be of interest to Manchester CERT members is the LinkedIn CERT group. Founded in 2008, it serves as a discussion board about CERT topics - disaster preparedness, disaster response, search and rescue, etc. But, it also includes topics such as fundraising, team organization and other CERT management areas. Today, the LinkedIn CERT group has over 12,000 members.

One of the key features of LinkedIn groups is the ability to post to the community. You can post questions, requests for information or just share your own thoughts about what other people have posted. Although the forum is not meant for commercial marketing of products, there are often discussions about the best products for various functions.

To Access LinkedIn groups, you must join the LinkedIn website. But once you are a member of LinkedIn, you can apply to join any group. The Interests menu leads you to the Groups option and you can search from there. Check out the CERT group on the LinkedIn website if you want to join a CERT community and share your ideas with others.

CERT NoticeNo CERT Meetings for the

Holidays

There are no Manchester CERT monthly membership meetings scheduled during the months of November or December. The next regular monthly membership meeting will be held on January 28th, the fourth Wednesday in January.

CERT NoticeNew Manchester CERT

Repeater

There is a new repeater for Manchester CERT located at the Emergency Operations Center on Olcott Street. Check it out at 145.47

CERT NoticeNew MBSAR Leaders

Mike Pollack has stepped down as the leader of the Manchester CERT Mountain Bike Search And Rescue team. Please welcome Diego Lopez and John Byram as the new co-leaders of MBSAR. Good news – Mike will stay on with MBSAR but just not in his leadership role.

November/December, 2014

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Man

ches

ter CERT

Cal

enda

r of e

vent

s for

...N

ovem

ber,

201

4

54

81

9

67

32

Sat

Fri

Th

uW

ed

Tu

eM

on

Sun

M

OO

N P

HA

SEFI

RST

QU

AR

TER:

29

FULL

MO

ON

: 6

LAST

QU

AR

TER:

14

NEW

MO

ON

: 22

Sun

rise

: 6:

40am

Sun

set:

4:3

0pm

NO

CER

T R

adio

Net

NO

CER

T M

emb

ersh

ipM

eeti

ng

in N

ovem

ber

Sun

rise

: 6:

56am

Sun

set:

4:2

1pm

CER

T Ex

ecu

tive

Co

mm

itte

e M

eeti

ng

7:00

PM

Man

ches

ter E

.O.C

.

30

Sun

rise

: 6:

23am

Sun

set:

4:4

4pm

Than

ksg

ivin

g

Elec

tio

n D

ay

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Ro

n -

W1R

CT

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Pat

- KB

1WQ

R

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Geo

rge

- AB

1GL

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

An

dy

- N1O

RK

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Do

n -

N1D

AJ

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Dav

id -

KB

1DM

C

Vete

ran

s D

ay

Day

ligh

t-Sa

vin

gs

Tim

e En

ds

The

"Litt

le"

Man

ches

ter R

oad

Race

for y

oung

ster

s.

Bea

rs M

emb

ersh

ipM

eeti

ng

7:00

PM

Man

ches

ter E

.O.C

.

Man

ches

ter R

oad

Race

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

Ed -

WC

1EJS

Sun

rise

: 6:

31am

Sun

set:

4:3

6pm

9th

An

nu

alC

ERT

Trai

nin

gC

T Fi

re A

cad

emy

Jam

ie’s

Run

Old

Wet

her

sfie

ld

PLE

ASE

NO

TE!

The

info

rmat

ion

in t

his

cal

end

ar is

NO

T in

ten

ded

to re

pla

ce t

he

e-m

aile

d c

alen

dar

s b

y Pe

te B

. or R

ay G

.Fo

r th

e m

ost

acc

ura

te in

form

atio

n p

leas

e ch

eck

you

r e-

mai

l fre

qu

entl

y. T

han

k yo

u...

New

slet

ter

Staf

f.

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Man

ches

ter CERT

Cal

enda

r of e

vent

s for

...D

ecem

ber,

201

4

54

81

9

6

7

32

Sat

Fri

Th

uW

ed

Tu

eM

on

Sun

M

OO

N P

HA

SEFI

RST

QU

AR

TER:

28

FULL

MO

ON

: 6

LAST

QU

AR

TER:

14

NEW

MO

ON

: 21

Sun

rise

: 7:

14am

Sun

set:

4:2

2pm

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

NO

Net

Sun

rise

: 7:

17am

Sun

set:

4:2

6pm

CER

T Ex

ecu

tive

Co

mm

itte

e M

eeti

ng

7:00

PM

Man

ches

ter E

.O.C

.

30

Sun

rise

: 7:

03am

Sun

set:

4:1

9pm

31

Ch

rist

mas

Pear

l Har

bo

r Day

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T R

adio

NO

Net

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

Sun

rise

: 7:

10am

Sun

set:

4:2

0pm

New

Yea

r’s E

ve

Win

ter B

egin

s

NO

CER

T M

emb

ersh

ipM

eeti

ng

in D

ecem

ber

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T R

adio

Net

Co

ntr

ol

TBA

CER

T H

olid

ay P

arty

Mas

on

ic T

emp

le25

Eas

t C

ente

r Str

eet

6:00

PM

PLE

ASE

NO

TE!

The

info

rmat

ion

in t

his

cal

end

ar is

NO

T in

ten

ded

to re

pla

ce t

he

e-m

aile

d c

alen

dar

s b

y Pe

te B

. or R

ay G

.Fo

r th

e m

ost

acc

ura

te in

form

atio

n p

leas

e ch

eck

you

r e-

mai

l fre

qu

entl

y. T

han

k yo

u...

New

slet

ter

Staf

f.

CL&

P Sa

fety

Tra

inin

g6:

30 -

10:0

0 PM

Han

ukk

ah B

egin

s