Division 20 News

Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) cases continue to be identified in increasing numbers in the U.S. and internationally. Accordingly, a public health emergency has been declared, which allows Federal funds to flow in support of response efforts, and Secretary Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the principal federal official for domestic incident management. The Coast Guard remains fully engaged with DHS and our partner agencies at all levels of government to ensure that SIV does not reduce our ability to execute our missions.

This situation is a cause for concern, not a cause for alarm. Your vigilance and precaution are paramount as we implement a coordinated response effort to detect, contain, treat, mitigate and recover from the impact of SIV.

What you can do:

Practice basic hygiene measures, including covering one's mouth with a disposable tissue or with one's arm when sneezing, frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with someone who is ill, remaining home if ill, and maintaining a social distance of 6 feet or more in all situations that permit.

Be alert for signs and symptoms of SIV including fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sore throat, cough, body ache, or fatigue. Symptoms may not present for 3-4 days after exposure to SIV. If symptoms are encountered, consult your local health care provider for evaluation and treatment.

Where you can go for more information:

CG Portal - The Swine Flu Information site for relaying information to members of the Coast Guard on the current influenza response at: https://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/swine-flu-information/welcome

Influenza training modules for Coast Guard personnel:
 

Stay alert and look after your fellow Guardians,

VADM Vivien S. Crea
Vice Commandant,
U.S. Coast Guard

1. As a matter of information, NEXCOM and the National Bridge recently made final the decision to eliminate "non-operational facilities" from the categories of vessels in the Auxiliary. CG-5421 concurs with this action which is effective immediately.

2. The Auxiliary Ensign may now fly only on either inspected surface facilities that display a current facility decal or on vessels owned by Auxiliarists that have successfully completed a Vessel Safety Check and that display a current VSC decal.

3. Changes in regards to non-operational facilities to the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3(series) will be reflected in future editions of the manual.
 

As you all are aware, the deadline date for completion of ICS-210 of 31 MAR 2009 is almost upon us.  As many Auxiliarists are still in need of the course, CG-5421 requested a second and final extension  which was just granted by CG-5331 (Office of Incident Management & Preparedness).

The new date of compliance is 01 APR 2010.

As per ALAUX 002/07 this course or the full ICS-300 course is required for Auxiliary Single Unit Resource Leaders (SURL's) such as coxswains, PWC operators, pilots (Aircraft Commander, First Pilot and Co-Pilot), certain members in the Trident Program or any other team/task force leader determined by a Coast Guard unit Commander to have a need.  ICS-210 (or ICS-300 as an equivalent) is to be added to the proper qualification packages as a requirement for final qualification. These changes will be reflected in future editions. The Surface Operations website will be updated this week with this information:http://cgauxsurfaceops.us/ICS.htm When the first extension for ICS-210 from March 2008 to March 2009 was requested, only 715 Auxiliarists (or 18% of required personnel) had taken either course despite it having been "strongly encouraged" for almost 2 years. To date, AUXDATA is now showing well over 2,500 who have taken ICS-210 and close to 900 have taken ICS-300 for a 70% compliance rate.  The Auxiliary has done an outstanding job in trying to meet this DHS requirement. We very much appreciate the Auxiliary's cooperation and coordination efforts, and understand the incredible effort involved in this the training and qualification initiative. With the new deadline of 01APR10, the next year should provide ample time to reach the goal of 100% compliance.  Many thanks to LCDR Dunbar and CPO Woodill who have been tracking this requirement and compliance rates.