{"id":5536,"date":"2021-09-08T22:39:24","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T02:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5536"},"modified":"2021-09-27T21:56:24","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T01:56:24","slug":"2015-training-archive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5536","title":{"rendered":"2015 Training Archive"},"content":{"rendered":"

2015 Training Archive<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Amateur radio use by Emergency Managers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

2. U Pittsburgh-Disaster Preparedness<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

3. NE Ohio Phone outage<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

4. Monitoring Emergency Operation in the NE<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

5. OSU Severe WX Symposium 6 March 15<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>6. 3 New ARC Courses<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

7. AuxComm course May 2015<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

8. Natural Hazards Center<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

9. School Based Incident Crisis Management Class<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

10. The Pillowcase Project<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

11. FEMA IS-288.A Course<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

12. Daily Operations Briefings<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

13. FEMA NTED Catalog<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

14. ARES E-Letter<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

15. Unfit to Help?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

16. National Academies Press<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

17. Odds and Ends<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

18. Psychological First Aid<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

19. Non-Emergency Volunteering<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

20. Coffee Break Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

21. Disease Outbreak News<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

22. Upcoming Classroom Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

23.\u00a0 Field Day 2015<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

24. Pets in Disasters Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>25. Event Planning Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

26. Coursera on-line courses<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

27. Ohio EMA Courses<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

28. Great Lakes Division Convention 1 Aug<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

29.\u00a0 IFRC Courses<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

30. All Hazards Herald<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

31. ODH Train website<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

32. National Preparedness Month<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

33. National Preparedness Month Week 2<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

34. National Preparedness Month\/Red Cross Disaster Services<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

35. National Preparedness Month Week 4<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

36. Continuity of Government Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

37. Animals in Disasters Webinar<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

38. Animals in Disasters FEMA Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

39. NIFOG V1.6<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

40. National Parks on the Air<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

41. DMAC\/DMC Certifications<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

42. CERT Instructor Search<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

43. International Online Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

44. Public Safety Scanning<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

45. NFPA Educational Message Desk Reference<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

46. Avoid Winter Weather Mistakes<\/a> <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

1. Amateur radio use by Emergency Managers<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

From time to time I see online emergency management discussion threads on whether it is important it is to have Amateur Radio operators available as an emergency backup communications system. While emergency managers in areas subject to frequent, large disasters tend to be convinced of the need, some managers in more fortunate areas have mixed views.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One jurisdiction that remains convinced of this need is the State of Oregon, which is subject to forest fires, flash floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, not to mention the same disasters that we face in District 3. The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Office of Emergency Management (OEM)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0within the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Oregon Military Department (OMD)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0currently has an opening for a civilian Communications Officer.\u00a0 In addition to the typical required skills, one requested skill is an Amateur Radio license, or the ability to obtain such a license.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, Amateurs may not receive compensation for their ham activities, but an exception has been made for licensed emergency response personnel using ham equipment during disasters. The person hired for this Oregon position would be just such an exception.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. U Pittsburgh-Disaster Preparedness<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Today we are revisiting the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Coursera\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.coursera.org\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which is continuously being updated. Our focus will be on a relevant new offering from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>University of Pittsburgh<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Disaster Preparedness\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/course\/disasterprep<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This course, which begins on Monday, January 26th,\u00a0<\/sup>concentrates on the Mitigation phase of the disaster cycle. Like most recommendations I make, it can be taken at no cost, although everyone interested in taking it should at least investigate the $49 Verified Certificate option. Disaster Preparedness lasts for six weeks and requires two to four hours of study per week. Suggested readings, along with an introductory video, are listed on the course web pages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The course instructor is Dr. Michael Beach, an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and an Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner. So those taking this class should expect to learn about disaster preparedness from a medical standpoint.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. NE Ohio Phone outage<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Shortly after 6 PM on Tuesday, January 13<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Columbiana, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit Counties in northeast Ohio experienced an AT&T service failure. Part of this story has been published at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.arrl.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, but I had access to some other tidbits of information that did not make it into that article.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Internet, data and telephone services were lost, including 911 lines. Around 7 PM the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency, using a cell phone, requested the Ohio Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to activate Columbiana County\u2019s Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Ohio EOC was unable to accomplish this, so the request was fulfilled by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Cleveland.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At 9:20 PM Time Warner Cable in Stark County reached an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) dispatcher in another county to report that they were receiving 911 calls via their Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lines that they could no longer forward to the local 911 center or to the Stark County OSHP post.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Communications between the affected county emergency managers and the Ohio EOC was gradually reestablished using the MARCS ECOMM-1 talk group. AT&T reported that most of their customers were back in service by 4 AM Wednesday. Again, to get the ARES side of this failure of technology story visit the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARRL website<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Monitoring Emergency Operations in the NE<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Lessons learned from disaster responses elsewhere can be very useful. This week\u2019s east coast blizzard provided such opportunities for those of us fortunate enough to be outside of the affected area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve mentioned Broadcastify (<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.broadcastify.com<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>) before as a way to monitor first responders via the internet. This week I used it to listen to the blizzard on Cape Cod. I discovered that medic units and law enforcement were relying on private wreckers with mounted snow plows to reach rural locations, allowing the heavy duty local government plows to work on clearing main roads without interruption.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If internet access is a problem at your location, there are alternatives. WBZ in Boston could be heard on 1030 AM, while WABC, 770 AM, WCBS, 880 AM and WINS, 1010 AM, covered the blizzard from New York City. All of these stations could be heard after dark from Springfield with a good AM radio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If internet access isn\u2019t a problem for you, each of these stations is also streaming content using one or more links available on their station websites.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5. OSU Severe WX Symposium 6 March 15<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

One activity that I try to publicize each year is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio State University Meteorology Club\u2019s Severe Weather Symposium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Their 19<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0such event is scheduled for Friday, March 6<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0in the US Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union in Columbus. This complex is located on the south side of the OSU campus on the west side of High Street.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Severe Weather Symposium is free, although parking in the adjoining garages will run $11.25 to attend the full 9 AM to 5 PM symposium. When you register to attend you might consider supporting this student club through the online purchase of a souvenir. Lunch will be available either in the Union or at restaurants across High Street.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One scheduled speaker most of us would recognize is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Mike Bettes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Weather Channel<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. There is also a scheduled presenter from our ARES District \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Bryan Wood<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Assurant Special Property<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Springfield, who will discuss hail insurance losses and the Dayton area. Other presenters from the National Weather Service, broadcast television and emergency management are also scheduled.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To obtain more information or to register for the symposium, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/u.osu.edu\/metclub\/symposium\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0or to the Wilmington, Ohio National Weather Service\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.weather.gov\/images\/iln\/symposium_2015.png<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6. 3 New ARC Courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has released three new online training courses.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Concept of Operations: An Overview<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is intended for all Red Cross paid and volunteer staff, as well as Red Cross external partners. As an\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0volunteer, you would be considered such an external partner. This course presents a brief, 18 minute explanation of the new\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Concept of operations: Program Essentials<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Please note that it goes by very quickly, and I recommend the frequent use of the pause button to give you time to absorb the information. Red Cross staff should register for this course through\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/classes.redcross.org\/Saba\/Web\/Main<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in order to receive course credit, while external partners should take the training at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/youtu.be\/ND8pu1zGQHU<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The other two courses,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Operations Planning Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Incident Reporting Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, are intended for Red Cross paid and volunteer staff working in such disaster support positions as Public Affairs, Government Relations or Disaster Fundraising. These require roughly one hour each, and can be found on the Red Cross website noted above.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7. AuxComm course May 2015<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>OEC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) will once again offer their\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Auxiliary Communications<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AuxComm<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0course, in conjunction with Hamvention\u00ae 2015. Registration for this\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>intensive<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0three days of emergency communications training opened on February 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0and closes on May 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0or whenever the class fills, whichever comes first. The actual training is held somewhere in the greater Dayton area in the days just prior to Hamvention\u00ae.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Just who is qualified to take the AuxComm course? The first 50 applicants who submit copies of the following documents electronically to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>COMU@hq.dhs.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0: A valid and current Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio Service license, and certificates of completion for each of the following\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>: IS-100b, IS-200b, IS-700a and IS-800b. These can be found at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>training.fema.gov\/is\/<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

AuxComm classes can fill up rapidly. Mine drew students from as far away as Guam, which is as far away as you can get and still be on US territory! For further information on this AuxComm offering see the Hamvention\u00ae website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>hamvention.org<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

8. Natural Hazards Center<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Have you ever heard of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Natural Hazards Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>University of Colorado<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Boulder Campus<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>? Despite its name, the Center conducts all-hazards disaster research into mitigation, planning, response and recovery issues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They publish the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Natural Hazards Observer<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0six times a year and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Natural Hazards Review<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0quarterly. In addition, they offer a variety of other reports and books. Many of these items may be downloaded at no cost from their website,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.colorado.edu\/hazards\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>while other texts are offered for sale.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the publications, the Center conducts an annual hazards workshop in July, sponsors scholarships and awards, and hosts a research library. I have found their website both useful and interesting for over a decade.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Switching topics, this is a final reminder that the OSU Meteorology Club\u2019s 19<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Annual Severe Weather Symposium is this Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at the Ohio Union on OSU\u2019s main campus. A link to this symposium is available at Wilmington\u2019s National Weather Service home page,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.weather.gov\/iln\/\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

9. School Based Incident Crisis Management Class<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

On Monday, March 30<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0and Tuesday, March 31<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0emergency planners, school employees, law enforcement and other community stakeholders will be offered the opportunity to take the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents for Key Decision Makers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>MGT-417<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) at Graham High School near St. Paris, Ohio. This two-day 8AM to 5PM course, funded and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is a follow-up to the Consortium\u2019s awareness-level courses, also titled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>AWR-148<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AWR-148-W<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

First responders, school employees and community stakeholders are encouraged to register for this course by 5 PM on Monday, March 16<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>. To register you must\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>first\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>obtain a FEMA Student ID number at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/femasid\/<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Then go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ruraltraining.org<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0or call\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>1-877-855-7372\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>to register or obtain additional information. And in most cases, you must be an American citizen in order to attend RDPC courses.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While visiting the RDCP website, look over the other courses offered.\u00a0 Some are available online, while others may require some travel in order to attend.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

10. The Pillowcase Project<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The American Red Cross is introducing a new family of emergency and disaster training programs targeted at third through fifth graders. This series, known as the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pillowcase Project<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, prepares these youth for a variety of emergencies and disasters that may occur in their communities. Of course, this list of possibilities will vary from location to location.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pillowcase Project<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0programs are designed to be between 40 and 60 minutes in length, and are presented by properly trained paid and volunteer Red Cross staff. The two Red Cross chapters in Ohio ARES District 3 are the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Dayton Area Chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and both should soon be seeking volunteers to make Pillowcase Project presentations in their jurisdictions. If you have a few hours to spare for training, and would be interested in volunteering to better prepare your communities for emergencies and disasters, contact the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Executive Director<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0of your local Red Cross chapter and ask to be added to a future Pillowcase Project training session.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

11. FEMA IS-288.A Course<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>EMI<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), one of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s (<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) three educational facilities, recently updated independent study course\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-288.A: The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Since the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) is just such a volunteer organization, the content of this course should be relevant to anyone checking into this net or visiting the District 3 web site.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To download IS-288.A course materials at no charge, or to take the final exam, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/training.fema.gov\/is<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. The link to this course is currently about the middle of this page. Later you may have to dig into the site a little to reach it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A major change is coming to the FEMA Independent Study program on April 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>please<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>note that this is not an April Fools\u2019 Day gag!<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>). Anyone taking the final exam for an Independent Study course must first obtain a FEMA\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Student Identification Number (SID)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. This number replaces your Social Security Number, which was formerly what FEMA used for identification purposes. You may obtain your SID at FEMA\u2019s Center for Domestic Preparedness secure website,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/femasid<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

12. Daily Operations Briefings<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

I would like to begin by stating that tonight\u2019s program is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>not<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0an April Fools\u2019 Day gag. At the present time I receive four daily emailed reports on disaster operations in the United States, two from Red Cross and two from FEMA.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Smallest is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Operations Brief<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Fire Administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Today\u2019s brief was just two pages long, and included such information as fire weather warnings, a small space weather report, new disaster declarations, weather forecasts and health information. Anyone should be able to subscribe at no cost at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.usfa.fema.gov\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Click the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0link in the upper right of the home page.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0offers the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Disaster Services Operation Morning Report<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Daily Disaster Update<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for the use of their paid and volunteer staff. Today\u2019s Morning Report was five pages of new and ongoing incidents involving the Red Cross. Today\u2019s Update is nineteen pages of disaster information in-depth from Red Cross, FEMA and other sources. Subscriptions to either or both of these can be arranged from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The Exchange<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, an internal Red Cross site. Contact your Red Cross Chapter for access.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA Daily Operations Briefing<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. The Briefing is similar in size and content to the Red Cross Daily Disaster Update, but directed to a FEMA audience rather than Red Cross staff. I don\u2019t have a correct subscription procedure, but Ron, W8ILC\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>may<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0be able to assist. Drop him an email at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>w8ilc@aol.com\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

13. FEMA NTED Catalog<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s been a while since I brought up the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s (<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Training and Education Division<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NTED<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) Catalog, so this may be a good time to return to it. A number of older course offerings are being retired, while a few new ones are gradually being added.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The NTED Catalog is now offered as both a downloadable .pdf file and a searchable online document. To reach either, go to the home page of the secure website\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.firstrespondertraining.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. Note that this catalog is updated as needed, and may be different from one day to the next. The latest update is noted on the cover of the .pdf version.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Currently there are over 90 hours of online cybersecurity classes here, as well as about twenty-four hours of more rarely offered classroom opportunities. Despite the retired courses, there are still enough online selections to occupy your free time for many months. Note that there are a few courses that are only offered to sworn police officers, which still might include a few of us.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

14. ARES E-Letter<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Today\u2019s arrival of the online\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARRL ARES E-Letter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0reminded me that I haven\u2019t mentioned this resource for some time. Editor Rick Palm, K1CE covers a wide range of ARES related news and topics, including ARES activations, exercises, training and conferences. New hardware and software of particular ARES interest or value comes up as well. Some of the topics can be controversial, and some of the advice offered by readers isn\u2019t always perfect, so Rick makes provisions for reader feedback as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A subscription to the ARES E-Letter is free to ARRL members. Go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.arrl.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, sign in using your username and password, choose\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Edit Your Profile\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>directly below the password, choose\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Edit E-mail Subscriptions<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, choose\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The ARES E-Letter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Save<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0your changes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also note that there is a voice version of each E-Letter available at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.arrl.org\/ares-e-letter-audio-version<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. I did note that there may be a delay before the voice version is released.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

15. Unfit to Help?<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Spring 2015 edition of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0magazine, like most issues of this quarterly publication, has a number of valuable articles. One that might be of particular interest to ARES volunteers is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Unfit to Help?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a debate regarding the need for volunteer background checks in the emergency management field.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Unfit to Help?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0notes that people in crisis often constitute a more vulnerable population than those in routine situations. Some jurisdictions use this as a reason for background checks, while others note that many bad actors have no criminal history and would slip through anyway.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone admits that background checks cost money, and some agencies choose not to check for purely financial reasons. Other agencies see this as short sighted, as the legal liabilities of a single incident caused by an unchecked volunteer can offset the cost of thousands of such checks.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For this spirited debate and other articles, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.emergencymgmt.com\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>and check out the site for yourself.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

16. National Academies Press<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

In my continuing effort to prove that few people are cheaper than I am, I have located a source of disaster books that can be downloaded and\/or printed for free as PDF files. That source is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Academies Press<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nap.edu<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The National Academies Press publishes the work of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Academy of Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Academy of Engineering<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Institute of Medicine<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Research Council<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, all\u00a0congressionally\u00a0chartered institutions. At roughly 200 new titles per year, over 5000 books may now be downloaded at no cost.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A couple of recent titles are:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Enabling Rapid and Sustainable Public Health Research During Disasters<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. There are many more disaster titles listed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Registering to download on the NAP site is simple and quick, and will include access to optional emails of future publications.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

17. Odds and Ends<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

This week I have a few odds and ends to share. For those who follow tropical systems, Ana, first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, may develop as early as tomorrow just off the coast of Florida. The National Hurricane Center at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.nhc.noaa.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is the place to track this storm.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Last week I mentioned the Institute of Medicine as one of several sources of free disaster publications through the National Academies Press. Effective July 1st<\/sup>\u00a0the Institute of Medicine will become the National Academy of Medicine to better integrate its mission with those of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering. The free publications should continue to be available through the National Academies Press.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Tomorrow morning the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, or GDAHA, will conduct Blowing in the Wind, a regional tornado exercise. GDAHA, hospitals, Red Cross, emergency management agencies, health departments and ARES elements are involved. Action should take place between 8 AM and Noon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Almost every training opportunity I\u2019ve mentioned since I started these programs has been free of charge. Is anyone out there interested in hearing about training opportunities that might involve some fees? If not, I don\u2019t plan to waste your time with options no one wants. Call N8QHV after any Ohio District 3 ARES net closes.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

18. Psychological First Aid<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Anyone responding to disasters, and even smaller emergencies, could benefit from a course in Psychological First Aid, of PFA. PFA can help many victims recover from emotional trauma, and identifies other victims who should be referred to mental health professionals for further treatment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The American Red Cross offers a four hour PFA course from time to time and many Red Cross disaster responders have taken it. If you are not a Red Cross volunteer and would like to have Psychological First Aid training, Johns Hopkins University\u2019s Bloomberg School of Public Health is offering PFA via Coursera. The Coursera version is six weeks long and requires one to three hours of study per week. The Coursera sessions are free, with an optional Signature Track verified certificate program for a modest fee.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The next Johns Hopkins Psychological First Aid session begins on Monday, May 18<\/span><\/span><\/span>th,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>although you may register after that date and still join the class. To look into PFA or any of over one thousand other Coursera offerings, visit their website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

19. Non-Emergency Volunteering<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Over the past two years I\u2019ve spoken about disaster assignments that ARES members might consider taking with such served agencies as the American Red Cross, county emergency management agencies, local health districts, humane societies, etc. But ARES members who have the time might also consider some non-emergency assignments with these emergency response agencies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One advantage associated with pulling volunteer work shifts at served agencies is that agency staff begin to view you as \u201cone of us\u201d rather than \u201cone of them\u201d.\u00a0 Volunteers in the \u201cus\u201d category will tend to receive more important disaster assignments because you will have built up a measure of trust by doing routine jobs with little glory attached to them. For example, this afternoon I spent ninety minutes mowing the lawn at my local Red Cross office, which cannot afford to hire someone for that purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Occasionally served agencies offer benefits to their registered volunteers. In Clark County the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Retired and Senior Volunteer Program<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RSVP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.unitedseniorservices.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, offers some mileage reimbursement and liability insurance for local government or non-profit volunteers aged fifty-five or older. RSVP also operates programs in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties. Their website is:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.rsvpwestcentralohio.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

20. Coffee Break Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>United States Fire Administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>USFA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), a part of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), offers weekly one page education documents they call\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Coffee Break Training<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Coffee break Trainings are short so that firefighters and emergency medical service providers at busy departments can study them in the intervals between runs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Recently one topic of three recent trainings has been\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Understanding Geospatial Information<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. During disasters geospatial information is part of what us old timers used to call\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Damage Assessment\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Disaster Assessment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which is now more often referred to as\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Situational Awareness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, if you would like to learn some basic geospatial information terms and concepts, or a variety of other fire and EMS topics, go to the Coffee Break Training website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.usfa.fema.gov\/training\/coffee_break\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. Note that fire and EMS staff may also earn\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Continuing Education Units<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>CEU<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>s) at this location as well.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

21. Disease Outbreak News<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Have you ever heard about an emerging disease on a TV news program or in a newspaper and wanted to know more about it?\u00a0 Then you may be interested in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Disease Outbreak News<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>DON<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), published as needed by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>World Health Organization<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>WHO<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>United Nations<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.\u00a0 The web address is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.who.int\/csr\/don\/en\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The DON reports the facts regarding where new disease outbreaks are occurring around the world and how many cases are involved. Most of the recent reports concern\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MERS-CoV<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. MERS-CoV cases are showing up in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a few cases recently noted in China and South Korea.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While not every ARES member would benefit from these reports, members who are also medical professionals might. Wright-Patterson AFB employees and contractors regularly travel to many of the countries mentioned above, and it\u2019s just possible that some of these emerging illnesses may someday show up without advanced notice on our western Ohio doorsteps.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

22. Upcoming Classroom Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

I thought I\u2019d take a few minutes tonight to share some information I have regarding upcoming free classroom training opportunities. I certainly have a love affair with that word free, don\u2019t I?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

First, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is offering\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pillowcase Project<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Presenter Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0training for registered Red Cross volunteers. The Pillowcase Project, funded by Disney, provides disaster preparedness training targeted to the 3<\/span><\/span><\/span>rd<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0through 5<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0grade age group. This training session lasts from 6 PM to 9 PM on Wednesday, June 17<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Red Cross office, 1314 Barnhart Road, Troy, Ohio<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>. Contact\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>lynne.gump@redcross.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to reserve a seat and find out about two online prerequisites: \u201c\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Basic Instructor Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the Pillowcase presentation video.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next, for any health professionals, including emergency medical technicians, who are able to get away for a week, FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Center for Domestic Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>CDP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) has upcoming classes that they would like to fill. An unusual number of attendee cancellations have left their June 21-27\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Healthcare Leadership Course<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>HCL<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) and their July 6-11\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Hospital Emergency Response<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>HERT<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) Train-the-Trainer with vacancies. As previously mentioned here, CDP courses are paid for by FEMA grants, including air travel to Atlanta, ground transportation to Anniston, Alabama, lodging, meals, textbooks, supplies, etc. I\u2019ve been there five times myself. To learn more about HCL, HERT and other CDP offerings, visit\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. To apply for CDP courses, contact\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>dan.cody@fema.dhs.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

23. Field Day 2015<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Well, it\u2019s nearly Field Day weekend again. Have you decided to participate this year? Will you be operating from a club site, an Emergency Operating Center, a mobile or portable station or your home?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

No matter which you choose, you can add 100 bonus points to your final score by originating a formal message to the Ohio Section Manager (SM) or the Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC). To receive credit for transmitting your message, it must contain the information noted under Field Day 2015 rule 7.3.5 . You must retain a copy of the message using an ARRL Radiogram form. This copy must be submitted via one of the approved channels along with the Field Day report.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the points noted above, under rule 7.3.6 you may receive 10 bonus points for each ARRL Radiogram originated, or relayed, or received\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>and<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0delivered during Field Day. A total of 10 messages may be handled for bonus points, for a total of 100 bonus points. Again, the Field Day report must include copies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If your Field Day setup includes a digital station, these points should be a snap. Voice and CW stations can still earn the points, but require more effort. Remember, if the HF bands are suppressed, which is more than possible this coming weekend, you could always pass these Radiograms via VHF or UHF simplex.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If we should ever need to handle welfare radio traffic during an emergency, this would be a good way to get in a little practice beforehand.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

24. Pets in Disasters Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0staff members often run into the same problem over and over. After a disaster occurs, Red Cross shelters, and many of the Red Cross motel partners, cannot accommodate pets due to client allergy issues. Pets are an integral part of many families, and those families cannot or will not use Red Cross facilities unless their pets are being cared for as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ideally, families should have a disaster plan that includes care for their pets as well as the human family members. And even if that fails, counties should have animal care as a part of their comprehensive disaster plans. However, as you know we don\u2019t live in an ideal world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of which brings us to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ASPCA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. The ASPCA\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Field Investigations and Response<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>FIR<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) Department has produced a series of ten online courses to teach responders about animals in crisis, including disaster response. FIR is also seeking volunteers to assist them at major incidents. For further information about the classes and\/or volunteering for FIR, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.aspcapro.org\/fir<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

25. Event Planning Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Country Concert 15<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0begins tomorrow and lasts through Saturday. This event draws approximately 20,000 country music fans to Shelby County, which has a permanent population of about 49,000. Needless to say, such an event places quite a strain on existing area law enforcement and emergency medical resources. A wise political jurisdiction\u2019s response agencies strive to work carefully with the event organizers to plan a response to any likely emergency scenario.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0offers a pair of training courses specifically for such planning through its\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Training and Education Division,\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0NTED<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. MGT-335 and MGT-335-W, its online only counterpart, cover\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Event Security Planning for Public Safety Professionals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. MGT-404 discusses\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Sports and Special Events Incident Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More information about these courses, and others on related topics, is available through the NTED online and PDF catalogs at the following website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.firstrespondertraining.gov\/content.do<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. Since everyone has a county fair and most counties have similar large events, you might want to look into these opportunities to better prepare for the occasional show that goes sour.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

26. Coursera on-line courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Once again it is time to revisit the good folks at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Coursera<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, who offer free and low-cost college level courses.\u00a0 While most Coursera courses still have a fixed beginning and ending date, many others are now available at any time, which they refer to as On-Demand.\u00a0 Here are a few relevant On-Demand courses available.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is offered by\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>the University System of Georgia<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Epidemics \u2013 the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0comes from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pennsylvania State University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0originates at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. And\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ebola Virus Disease: An Evolving Epidemic<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0uses\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emory University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0faculty.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, we previously mentioned the course\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Disaster Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>University of Pittsburgh<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0 Anyway, if any of these courses seem interesting, check them out at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.coursera.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

27. Ohio EMA Courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The good folks at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0have sent out a new course list through their county contacts.\u00a0 While the ICS 300 and 400 Incident Command System courses are already full due to a backlog of applicants, many other courses that might be of value and interest are available.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Most Ohio EMA training costs are covered through government grants.\u00a0 Housing\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>may<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0be covered if the attendee must travel in excess of forty-five miles each way to attend, and some host county agencies may kick in for lunches and snacks.\u00a0 Be sure to study the details for your particular class offering prior to enrolling.\u00a0 Your county emergency manager decides if you need this training, so contact him or her to initiate the enrollment process.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In August the Ohio EMA will host a four day Incident Command System\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Supply Unit Leader<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0class and a four day ICS\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Resources Unit Leader<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0class at the Ohio Emergency Operations Center near The Ohio State University Airport.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In September a three day\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Volunteers and Donations Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0class will be held in Ashtabula County, and a three day\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Basic Public Information Officer\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>class is scheduled in Fairfield County.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In October a three day\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>HSEEP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) class will be conducted in Jackson County.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To investigate these and other Ohio EMA training opportunities, go to this web site to view the training calendar and catalog:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.ema.ohio.gov\/Training.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

28. Great Lakes Division Convention 1 Aug<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Radio Relay League<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Great Lakes Division Convention<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will be held this Saturday, August 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0in conjunction with the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>2015 Columbus Hamfest<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 The location will be the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Road in northeast Columbus, Ohio.<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0 Admission is $5, with those 12 and under admitted free.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Activities begin at 8 AM and continue through 2 PM.\u00a0 An ARES forum starts at 9 AM, lasting for one hour.\u00a0 Other forums that may be of interest continue through Noon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A four and a half minute video convention preview and further hamfest information are available at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.arrl-greatlakes.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

29. IFRC Courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

A lot has been changing on the learning platform of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IFRC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 New classes, most of them free, are being added regularly.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As of yesterday the English language offerings included twenty Disaster Management courses, sixteen Public Health courses, eleven courses in Logistics and Purchasing, plus many more in general management, human resources, etc.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Something relatively new is a series of partnerships with local schools all over the world.\u00a0 Through these partnerships, the IFRC is offering graduate level professional development certificate programs. \u00a0These mostly online programs last for anything from three months to a year, and cost between one thousand and three thousand Swiss Francs, which is roughly the same in U.S. dollars.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To look over the IFRC offerings, visit:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ifrc.org\/learning-platform<\/a><\/b><\/u>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

30. All Hazards Herald<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Public Affairs Office of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has recently released its August 2015 issue of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>All-Hazards Herald<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This new e-newsletter replaces the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio EMA Field Journal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Some of the topics covered by the Herald include upcoming EMA training courses, grant programs, Ohio EMA personnel changes at the state and county levels, upcoming safety campaigns, etc.\u00a0 And OEMA External Affairs Officer Jay Carey,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>jdcarey@dps.ohio.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, is interested in hearing from Hazard readers about future story or article ideas.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For those interested in viewing the new\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>All-Hazards Herald<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0or past issues of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Field Journal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, visit\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/ema.ohio.gov\/PAO_NewsLetters.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

31. ODH Train website<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

For many years now, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Department of Health<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has participated in a shared\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Public Health Foundation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website called Train.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The site provides links to thousands of training courses, live webinars, recorded webinars, lectures, etc. regarding public health issues, including about a thousand related to disaster topics.\u00a0 In addition to federal and Ohio sponsored items, material from other states and from non-profit organizations is also available here.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While some of these are also available outside of the Train network, such as courses from FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>EMI<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>TEEX<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), other materials are only available here.\u00a0 And if you can register through the Train site it will keep track of all of the courses you take.\u00a0 The site also features a calendar of upcoming training in and around Ohio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Registration for Ohio Train begins at their home page:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/oh.train.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

32. National Preparedness Month<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) has declared September to be\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Preparedness Month<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a period to make plans for your community, your family and your pets.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This week\u2019s nationwide focus is floods, making it a good time to recall this year\u2019s flooding first in Logan County and later Darke County.\u00a0 Many families were caught unprepared for these waters, despite the fact that both counties are no strangers to high water.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While flooding can get much worse than the local events, that is little comfort if you, your family, your pets and your property are involved.\u00a0 In 1959 my family\u2019s Springfield, Ohio welding shop had so much mud in the building that you might still find some there today!\u00a0 I can close my eyes and still see it, although I was only seven years old at the time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about National Preparedness Month, visit their website at:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.ready.gov\/september<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for more information.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

33. National Preparedness Month Week 2<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Last Wednesday we introduced you to FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Preparedness Month<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for 2015 and its topic for week 1 \u2013 Floods.\u00a0 Since the week 2 topic is Wildfires, most of us in District 3 probably don\u2019t need to dwell on that.\u00a0 So let\u2019s use the time to introduce other aspects of NPM 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ready.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0website noted last week FEMA has introduced a mobile friendly Beta version of Ready.gov at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/beta.ready.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The overall theme for the 2015 National Preparedness Month is:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>DON\u2019T WAIT. COMMUNICATE.\u00a0 MAKE YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN TODAY.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Both of the ready.gov websites offer materials to do just that.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

34. National Preparedness Month\/Red Cross Disaster Services<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

This week\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Preparedness Month<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0focus is on Hurricanes.\u00a0 While Ohio ARES District 3 does not face direct assaults from these storms, we are occasionally impacted by related rain and\/or wind events, such as the remnants of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Hurricane Ike<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in mid-September 2008.\u00a0 So in west-central Ohio, preparations for Hurricanes should emphasize flood and straight-line wind preplanning.\u00a0 We\u2019ll go back to Preparedness Month next week.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On another topic,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will undergo a major overhaul to its disaster response program effective the morning of September 30th.\u00a0 ARES members familiar with the former\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Client Assistance Price List<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a menu of dollar amounts our\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Direct Client Services<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0staff were authorized to provide to those impacted by disaster, should be aware that this price list is being\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>completely\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>revised.\u00a0 Most other related forms and documents are being revised or deleted as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, the client information needed for Red Cross records is going paperless as rapidly as possible. \u00a0Red Cross staff will be encouraged to enter information directly into the Red Cross client database using smart phones, tablets, laptops or desktops connected to the internet.\u00a0 Four classes have been released to prepare Red Cross staff for these changes.\u00a0 The disaster staff at the Red Cross offices in Dayton or Troy can help you enroll in this training, if you would like to join the ranks of the Direct Client Services volunteer staff.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

35. National Preparedness Month Week 4<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

This fourth week of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>2015 National Preparedness Month<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is devoted to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Power Outages<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 More information on this topic may be found on the following related websites:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.ready.gov\/power-outage<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/beta.ready.gov\/power-outage<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ready.gov\/kids\/know-the-facts\/power-outages<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I will not be available next week, but\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0would like you to know that the culmination of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Preparedness Month<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0on Wednesday, September 30<\/span><\/span><\/span>th\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National PrepareAthon! Day<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 More on that event is available at website\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ready.gov\/prepare<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, don\u2019t forget that the annual\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Simulated Emergency Test<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SET<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, is scheduled for Saturday, October 3<\/span><\/span><\/span>rd<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0 The ARRL Ohio Section and Ohio ARES District 3 are scheduled to participate.\u00a0 Stan Broadway, the Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator, discusses several goals in the current Ohio Section Journal\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/arrl-ohio.org\/sm\/Section_News.html<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

36. Continuity of Government Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

You may have noted my absence from last Wednesday\u2019s ARES net.\u00a0 I was in northern Kentucky attending a FEMA course entitled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Continuity of Government Operations Planning for Rural Communities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So why am I bringing this up during an ARES net?\u00a0 Because an important part of continuity of government operations is effective communications, and a key player in continuity communications planning is, believe it or not, the Amateur Radio Service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Continuity of Government planning uses a four-tiered redundant communications model, the tiers being: Landline\/Cellular Networks, Commercial Two-way Radio systems, Commercial Satellite Telephones and Amateur Radio Systems, either the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Radio Relay League<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) or the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Communications Commission<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>RACES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) or both.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Continuity of Government Operations is scheduled to be offered again near Cincinnati on February 4th.\u00a0 To view this, and other free class offerings, visit the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ruraltraining.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

37. Animals in Disasters Webinar<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ASPCA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, provides disaster services for animals throughout the country.\u00a0 Just a few years ago Clark County utilized their services when a law enforcement raid made our\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Humane Society Serving Clark County\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>responsible for over 250 dogs seized from a single location.\u00a0 This was in addition to our usual overcrowded animal shelter population!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, October 20<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0the ASPCA will offer a webinar entitled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Animals in Disasters: A Community Preparedness Checklist<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Presented by Dr. Dick Green, their Senior Director of Disaster Response, this one hour webinar will discuss the potential magnitude of the problem and what the ASPCA proposes to do about it.\u00a0 Anyone may register to participate, but if you are unable to be around between 3 and 4 PM next Tuesday, those registered will be given a link to hear the recorded webinar at a later time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To register for this free disaster training opportunity, look for a link at the following home page:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.aspcapro.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

38. Animals in Disasters FEMA Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Last Wednesday I mentioned yesterday\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ASPCA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Animals in Disaster webinar.\u00a0 On a related note, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>recently updated two of its courses:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-10.A<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Animals in Disasters: Community Planning<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-11.A<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

IS-10.A is a 3.5 hour online course that introduces the topic and helps the student prepare and plan for the safety of the family pets.\u00a0 IS-11.A is a 4.5 hour online class that encourages the student to become active in the community planning aspect of animals in disasters.\u00a0 Finally those in rural areas may be interested in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-111A<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Livestock in Disasters<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, another 3.5 hour online course for agribusinesses.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As usual, these EMI offerings are free.\u00a0 To learn more or to register for a course, go to the following web page:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.training.fema.gov\/is\/crslist.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 The top of this page also explains how to get the necessary FEMA Student Identification Number.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

39. NIFOG V1.6<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Department of Homeland Security<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Office of Emergency Communications<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0recently published their latest\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Interoperability Field Operations Guide<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NIFOG<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Version 1.6<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To quote the source<\/span><\/span><\/span>, (NIFOG) is a technical reference for emergency communications planning and for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response.\u00a0 The NIFOG includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, tables of frequencies and standard channel names, and other reference material, formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Government Printing Office pocket-sized version of NIFOG 1.6 is not yet available for sale, but you may download a free PDF edition to your computer from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/publicsafetytools.info<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Click on the NIFOG link from this home page.\u00a0 To look for the pocket edition at a later date, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/bookstore.gpo.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Note that the GPO still carries the older NIFOG version 1.5 in inventory until they receive stocks of 1.6.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

40. National Parks on the Air<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

While most of our past programs have been on pretty serious emergency management topics, it is possible to have some fun while preparing for future responses.\u00a0 One new way to do so would be to participate in next year\u2019s ARRL\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Parks on the Air<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0activities, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NPOTA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, by setting up a mobile or portable station.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

NPOTA seeks to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service by activating and\/or contacting temporary amateur radio stations at as many of the 433 National Park Service and affiliated sites as possible. \u00a0There are three such sites to activate within Ohio ARES District 3.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The one many hams already know is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which has sites within Montgomery and Greene Counties.\u00a0 Far fewer know about the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, with a site just west of Wilberforce on U.S. 42 in Greene County. \u00a0And how many of you know about the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>North Country National Scenic Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which follows the Buckeye Trail route in District 3?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, if you are interested in learning more about NPOTA activities, check out the website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/npota.arrl.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and their official Facebook page at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/NPOTA\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

41. DMAC\/DMC Certifications<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Before we begin, on this Veteran\u2019s Day I\u2019d like to thank all of the other veterans listening for their service.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A long time ago I did a program on the <\/span>Associate Emergency Manager<\/b>\u00a0(<\/span>AEM<\/b>) and\u00a0<\/span>Certified Emergency Manager<\/b>\u00a0(<\/span>CEM<\/b>) programs offered by the\u00a0<\/span>International Association of Emergency Managers<\/b>\u00a0(<\/span>IAEM<\/b>).\u00a0 Well, recently the American Red Cross instituted a similar pair of disaster credentials \u2013\u00a0<\/span>Disaster Management Associate Certification<\/b>\u00a0(<\/span>DMAC<\/b>) and\u00a0<\/span>Disaster Manager Certification<\/b>\u00a0(<\/span>DMC<\/b>).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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All that I know about these comes from a four page fact sheet.\u00a0 The programs are intended for intermediate to advanced American Red Cross paid and volunteer staff, and involve a combination of FEMA and Red Cross formal training courses, Red Cross and other disaster experience and quite a bit of paperwork in the form of a portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you happen to be an active paid or volunteer Red Cross <\/span><\/span>Disaster Cycle Services<\/b><\/span><\/span>\u00a0staffer and would like to learn more, look up the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Disaster Manager Certification System<\/b><\/span><\/span>\u00a0fact sheet on\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The Exchange\u00a0ARC website<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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42. CERT Instructor Search<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Instructor Search \u2013 Community Emergency Response Teams<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Ohio EMA is looking for individuals to become a \u201ccertified instructor\u201d for the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Basic Training Course and CERT Train-the-Trainer Course.\u00a0 Please go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/ema.ohio.gov\/Training_CertifiedInstructorsProgramPolicy.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and click on \u201cNovember 23, 2015\u201d.\u00a0 Please review the requirements and policies containing additional information and the Instructor application.\u00a0 If you are interested in becoming an Ohio EMA Certified CERT Instructor, complete the application and send it to David Nunley (<\/span><\/span><\/span>dbnunley@dps.ohio.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>) for review and processing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any questions regarding the CERT program and training, please contact Rhonda Meggitt, Ohio EMA CERT\/Citizen Corp State Coordinator at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RMeggitt@dps.ohio.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

43. International Online Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

How would you like to take a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>free<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0course from a foreign university without ever leaving your community?\u00a0 Thanks to the internet and financial support from third parties, this opportunity has arrived.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and Chinese University Hong Kong<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>CCOUC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, is offering \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/span>Public Health Principals in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201d to the first thousand or so folks worldwide who register for their 4<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Cohort at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/phpidccouc.conted.ox.ac.uk\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The course is intended for those with a bachelor\u2019s degree\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>or\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>three years of experience in disaster response or public health.\u00a0 The target audience specifically mentions\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>frontline disaster relief practitioners<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which would include ARES members. \u00a0This seven lesson course should take something like twenty hours, and those scoring 60% or more on the final exam will receive a CCOUC certificate of completion. \u00a0You take the course at your own pace, but must finish by June 15, 2016.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I think I\u2019ll try this one myself \u2013 this international certificate will go well with the domestic disaster training certificates from Yale, Louisiana State University, the University of Texas, etc.!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

44. Public Safety Scanning<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

For over twenty years amateurs within Ohio District 3 have been unable to monitor the digital transmissions of the Springfield, Ohio trunking system. \u00a0Springfield uses EDACS ProVoice, an Ericsson, and later MA\/Com, system that no scanner or ham radio could successfully interpret.\u00a0 In order to hear it, listeners had to purchase and program a multi-thousand dollar transceiver designed for ProVoice use.\u00a0 A few actually did just that.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But recently scanner manufacturer Uniden announced a software upgrade for their top end BCD436HP and BCD536HP Home Patrol scanners that would allow users to add ProVoice transmissions to their existing capabilities.\u00a0 This reasonably priced upgrade is now available to owners of these two models only who register their scanners at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/my.uniden.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This upgrade allows users of these two scanner models to listen to almost every system in west-central Ohio that is not deliberately encrypted.\u00a0 Motorola Mototrbo\u00a0and some federal transmissions are among the few exceptions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you have no interest in monitoring Springfield, don\u2019t spend money on the software upgrade.\u00a0 However, note that when the Ohio MARCS system eventually goes to P25 Phase Two to double its capacity, these top end scanners should still properly decode the transmissions, and thus may still be scanners for you to consider.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

45. NFPA Educational Message Desk Reference<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Fire Protection Association<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NFPA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) has produced a little safety handbook that is particularly useful for the holidays and the colder weeks that follow.\u00a0 Unlike many NFPA products, which tend to be pricey, this item can be downloaded free from their website.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The 2015 Edition of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NFPA Educational Message Desk Reference<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is just twenty-four pages long, but contains eighteen short chapters of very useful safety information.\u00a0 Not all of the chapters apply to all circumstances, but probably a dozen chapters do.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Download and read the chapters that apply to your situation before you prepare another big holiday meal or before you add supplemental heating devices to warm your home or radio shack on cold winter days.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Desk Reference is available at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nfpa.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0.\u00a0 From that home page, use their search engine to find the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Educational Messages Advisory Committee<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 From the EMAC home page, select the Educational Messages Desk Reference pdf link.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry that I can\u2019t provide a more direct route!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

46. Avoid Winter Weather Mistakes<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Ron, W8ILC, a former District 3 Emergency Coordinator, forwarded the December 17<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0edition of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for our use on this net.\u00a0 With the first cold snap finally arriving this week, I thought it was a good time to share some of the contents.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Under the heading\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Avoid These Winter Weather Mistakes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, FEMA borrowed three suggestions from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Weather Channel<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 The first recommendation is to clean your gutters before freezing weather arrives.\u00a0 On a personal note, I\u2019m very bad about getting around to cleaning gutters.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next is advice to make sure that any space heaters in use are turned off and cool before retiring to bed.\u00a0 Also cool off any fireplace embers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, develop and rehearse a fire escape plan, just in case any heating sources that you use escape from your control.\u00a0 FEMA further recommends that you visit the Weather Channel website at:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.weather.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Return to Net Training Archive Page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2015 Training Archive 1. Amateur radio use by Emergency Managers 2. U Pittsburgh-Disaster Preparedness 3. NE Ohio Phone outage 4. Monitoring Emergency Operation in the NE...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1893,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5536","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-25 21:20:01","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5536\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}