To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY NAPOLITANO: NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH -038/09

1. FYI:

-----Original Message-----
From:   Secretary Department of Homeland Security
Sent:   Wednesday, September 02, 2009 04:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
To:
Subject:        MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY NAPOLITANO: NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
MONTH


Sept. 2, 2009

Spreading the Word on National Preparedness Month

Dear Colleagues:

September is National Preparedness Month, offering our Department an
opportunity to talk to the American people about the importance of becoming
better prepared for - and more resilient to - emergencies of all kinds.

Protecting the United States from threats like terrorism, natural disasters,
and infectious diseases is a shared responsibility and everyone has an
important role to play.

As a DHS employee, you are in a unique position to help us build a national
culture of shared responsibility because you understand what it means to
keep our nation safe and secure - day in and day out.

This effort starts in our own communities. By talking to your neighbors,
friends, and family about citizen preparedness - during September and beyond
- we can build a culture where shared responsibility for preventing and
responding to emergencies is every bit as common as planning for retirement
or keeping your car and home in good repair. For more information about
emergency planning, visit www.ready.gov <http://www.ready.gov/> . You can
also check out a new Ready Public Service Announcement
<http://www.dhs.gov/files/gc_1251897643286.shtm>  that raises awareness
about increasing preparedness across the nation.

As always, thank you for your work and for your service to our Nation.


Yours very truly,


Janet Napolitano
Secretary

2. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

3. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

4. CG-54211, sends


______________________________

To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: MESSAGE FROM UNDER SECRETARY DUKE: GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS REGARDING NOVEL
H1N1 FLU VIRUS -034/09

1. FYI:

Aug. 17, 2009
MEMORANDUM FOR:         All DHS Employees
FROM:                   Elaine C. Duke
Under Secretary for Management
SUBJECT:                Guidance Documents Regarding Novel H1N1 Flu Virus

In preparation for the start of the flu season this fall, DHS has developed
a series of guidance documents for the DHS workforce about the H1N1 Flu
Virus. These documents are designed to provide guidance to both employees
and supervisors on actions we all can take to prepare and plan for a
probable return of the H1N1 virus this fall.

The guidance covers a number of important topics and a variety of
situations, such as the use of Personal Protective Equipment and antivirals.
Based on the best available information from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, as well as valuable input from DHS components, this guidance
also covers leave policies, teleworking, and alternative work schedule
arrangements for employees who are ill themselves or serving as caregivers
for sick family members. The guidance documents have been uploaded for easy
access to the DHS public Web site at
http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1241202408781.shtm.

Secretary Napolitano and I, along with all DHS leadership, are committed to
providing you with the best guidance - which will always be based on the
latest scientific understanding about H1N1 - and we will continue to keep
you apprised of the latest developments. We also encourage all of you and
your families to take steps to help prevent the spread of this virus. These
steps and the latest information about the H1N1 virus are available at
http://www.flu.gov/.

2. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

3. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

4. CG-54211, sends

TO:     ALAUXDIST1SR
FM:     CDR E.D. Young
SUBJ:   Letter from POTUS, H1N1, Twitter -011/09

1. In recognition of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's 70 years of
outstanding service, President Obama issued the following letter to the
Coast Guard Auxiliary. It was read at yesterday's anniversary celebration at
Coast Guard Headquarters, and a framed copy was presented to National
Commodore Nick Kerigan by Admiral Thad Allen. Please see the Coast Guard
press release at http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/282969/)

2. H1N1 Awareness and prevention.  The H1N1 virus looks to be a threat
throughout the coming year. See the personal message from the First District
Commander and a Checklist for Pandemic Flu Planning at
(http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/Misc/D1H1N1LetterJun09.pdf)

3. Follow us on Twitter! We have arrived in the Twitterverse, follow user
name "Uscgauxd1sr" to get the latest 1SR updates at Twitter.com.

4. Travel Claims - Any travel claims from the 1st and 2nd quarters should
have already been submitted.  Third quarter (Apr-Jun) travel claims are due
now.   Awards Conference Travel claims will no longer be accepted after July
6 - Submit any late claims immediately as the funds will be reclaimed and
used for other purchases.

5. Recently a Coast Guard, SECNY member was the victim of an attempted car
jacking in Staten Island. Statistically your chances of being a carjacking
victim are very slim, and prevention actions can reduce the risk even more.
It can happen anywhere, not just in "high crime" neighborhoods. It can occur
during the daylight as well as after dark. It's a crime of opportunity-a
thief searching for the most vulnerable prey. Being the victim of a
"carjacking" can be dangerous, even deadly, however there are some common
sense precautions you can take to put the odds in your favor. See the D1SR
Diraux website regarding tips to avoid being a victim.
http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/Misc/CarjackingPrevention.pdf

6. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists in the First Southern
abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.

7. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

8. DIRAUX 1SR sends

TO:     ALAUXDIST1SR
FM:     CDR E.D. Young/COMO Steve Ackerman
SUBJ:   Unit Commendation Award -010/09

1.   In recognition of 70 years of outstanding service the Commandant has
issued a Coast Guard Unit Commendation Award to any Auxiliarist who served
any period of time in AP / IQ / BQ / AX status during the award period (24
Jun 99 - 23 Jun 09).

2.   The Award can be found here:
http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/Misc/Auxiliary70thAnniversary.pdf

3.   Recipients are authorized to purchase/wear the ribbon immediately.

4. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists in the First Southern
abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.

5. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

6. DIRAUX 1SR/DCO 1SR sends

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tom Nunes <tnunes1@cox.net>
To: auxpao@list.auxpa.org, auxpao-aol@list.auxpa.org
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:29:28 -0700
Subject: [auxpao] Tips for Being Interviewed by the Media

Tips for Being Interviewed by the Media

Sending out an effective press release may lead to the next step — an interview with the media. Whether you are talking to a newspaper reporter or being interviewed in front of the camera, here are some tips to help you.

Know what you want to communicate, and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself. Important ideas often need to be repeated several times.

• Live by your message points, the key points you feel are most important to communicate to the media and your audience. Remember:  Life jackets save lives.  Safe boats save lives.  Educated boaters save lives.  Sober boaters save lives.
•  Short answers are better than long ones. Each message should be no longer than 10 to 15 words. Stop talking when you’re done making your point.
• This is not a confrontational interview. Smile.
• Don't overlap the interviewer's question. Begin your answer when he or she is finished.
• Speak in complete sentences, trying to repeat the main part of the reporter's question. Example: "How should a boater prepare for the boating season?" Answer: "The Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends that boaters take a boating safety course and have their boat checked to ensure they have required and recommended equipment to operate safely." Your quote will be more likely to be used by the media if it contains a complete thought.
• Avoid jargon and acronyms. Speak as simply as possible.
• Relax by taking a few deep breaths before the interview, and remember to breathe throughout. Keep your hands free, open, and animated. Gesture as you normally would.
• Plan what you’d like to say if asked, “is there anything else that you’d like to say?” You should recap your three main message points as a response.
• Always assume the camera and microphone are operating. When doing TV interviews ask which camera is on you and be sure to face towards it. And, remember where reporters are concerned, there is no such thing as “off the record”.
• Resist the urge to lean into the microphone. They are very powerful and can pick up every word you say.
• Television is an intimate medium. Speak in personal, anecdotal terms. Use analogies to illustrate your point. Don’t be afraid to tell “your story.”
• Body language is important for television. Practice by talking into a mirror and by having a friend ask you questions you think journalists would ask. People will remember how they felt about you more than they will remember what you said; so,
• it's important to be relaxed and sincere.

-----Original Message-----
From: Welicka, Valerian CDR
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 12:04 PM
To: HQS-DG-lst-auxalldiraux; HQS-DG-lst-auxalloto; HQS-DG-lst-auxnexcom
Cc: Platt, Bob; Bik, Judith LTJG
Subject: ICS 210

Good afternoon,
              As you all are aware, the deadline date for completion of
ICS-210 of 31MAR2009 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 01APR2010.

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.

VAL

CDR Valerian F. Welicka
Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety (CG-542)
Chief, Auxiliary Division (CG-5421)
Office Phone (202) 372-1268
Cell (202) 821-9608
Fax (202) 372-1920
Valerian.F.Welicka@uscg.mil