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November 2006For those of you who have an interest in responding to an emergency CERT General Meeting #2 On Saturday, November 4, 2006, our second General Meeting will be held from 11am-1 pm at the Albemarle County Office Building - South, at 1600 5th Street (Extended). The general meeting will follow the final Several extremely important functions will take place at this meeting: (1) verification of your identification, training and interest information in the CERT database; (2) issuance of a CERT photo ID badge (3) determination of each member's desired level of participation in CERT This Newsletter article is a "heads up" to everyone to place November 4th on your calendar... Start thinking now about what you want to get out of this meeting. Send your questions, comments and requests to info@charlottesvillecert.org include your name if you wish. "BE PREPARED"
NIMS and the Local CERT Person by Marge Thomas
For those of you who have an interest in responding to an emergency scene as a CERT volunteer (including 979-INFO), it is important that you complete FEMA IS 700: NIMS (National Incident Management System), If you are comfortable with the Internet and want to go ahead with reading the material and taking the test, please go to FEMA's website: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp (for ICS-100) or For those of you who took the CERT class but do not plan to respond to an emergency scene, you do not need to take these classes. I encourage you to do so at your convenience for your own education and to stay current with how emergency responders manage an emergency scene. CERT classes were developed to help citizens help themselves, their family and their neighbors in the event of a disaster where first responders may be delayed in arriving due to multiple disaster related incidents. The guidelines that are on the FEMA website tells us that volunteer personnel at all levels should have NIMS Training. With that said, someday you may find yourself in a situation where you could help others and you are willing to do so but you have not had the NIMS training. Don't let that stop you from helping! Although we have pasted the September deadline for the NIMS requirement, these classes will not be removed from the FEMA website. Please take them as soon as you can and let us know as you complete each. For those of you who plan on a supervisory role with CERT in the field, you must also take ICS-200. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (434)971-1263. Marge Thomas Pandemic Flu and CERT October 2006 As reported in last month's newsletter, Pandemic influenza is a world-wide contagion of a virus. The specific virus of most concern is the avian influenza. Avian influenza infects wild birds, companion birds, and livestock birds. There is no resistance among birds or humans. The first case of infection in the United States appeared in August when 2 swans in Michigan tested positive for avian influenza. In September, ducks in Maryland tested positive for avian influenza. As the fall migrations begin, more infected wild birds are likely.
We are fortunate to have experience dealing with avian influenza in birds. In 2002, 167 farms in the Shenandoah Valley suffered losses from an influenza outbreak. Despite heavy financial losses, authorities contained the disease. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Quality instituted extensive mandatory testing and security procedures. Virginia is quite progressive and active in monitoring health in poultry.
No human cases of avian influenza have been reported in the United States. Humans have been infected in 10 countries. As of September 19,, 2006, 247 human cases have been reported worldwide with 141 deaths.
Now is the time to prepare. When the pandemic strikes, all items will be in short supply. Begin preparing for what you and your family will need for three weeks. For more information and checklists: www.reallyreadyamerica/pandemic.org For any questions about Pandemic flu, look for me at the November 4 Open Meeting or email:Wynn@charlottesvilleCERT.org September Newsletter Book Review APOCALYPSE CHOW: How to Eat Well When the Power Goes Out by Jon Robertson with Robin Robertson Simon Spotlight Entertainment, division of Simon & Schuster $12.95 OK fellow CERTS, if you buy only one book on preparedness, make it APOCALYPSE CHOW. The Robertsons are survivors of Hurricane Bonnie(1998) and Hurricane Isabel (2003). Isabel left them without The Five-Day Menus are top rated. Five days of menus for four people without electricity or refrigeration.(Remember no power means no frig for leftovers.) The sequential directions are useful for step-by-step cooking on a single burner-butane or the side burner on your grill. Polenta Fusion Fiesta is especially good. It combines polenta with Mexican ingredients. These are filling dishes for difficult times. In addition to the recipes, the best section of Robertson's book is his wine box supply kit. APOCALYPSE CHOW supplies a complete shopping list to feed four for 5 days. It all fits into an empty wine carton - previously the home of 12 wine bottles. Robertson filled the entire list for about $50. So, you can be assured of having ingredients and recipes on hand to feed your family for under $100-with the book and the box. This is a wonderful book. Pack the book in with your 5 day supply and be ready. Look for my copy at the November 4 Open Meeting. Wynn@charlottesvilleCERT.org
Animals in Disasters
A number of people in CERT and in the area have expressed concern for the accommodation of animals in disaster situations. If you would be interested in joining a task group to study and make recommendations in this area of preparedness, mitigation and emergency response, please contact us at CERT. Some references are attached for further study and information. Do you know of other persons who may not receive this newsletter who may be interested? Or folks who could serve as resources to the task group? Please share this request with them and let us know how we can contact them. Thank you.
Gene McClurken CERT Steering Committee
FEMA: Rescuing Animals in Disasters FEMA: Caring for Animals FEMA: Wildlife in Disasters FEMA: Teams Deployed To Care For Animals At Disaster Sites FEMA: Preparing For A Disaster: Planning For Pets And Livestock FEMA: Information for Pet Owners FEMA: Information for Livestock Owners FEMA: Are You Ready?
Current Events:
Mumps Drill: On October 6, 2006, our CERT was ask to perform a communication drill to determine the availability of CERT members to assist with a mumps outbreak. This was just a drill so local officials could estimate what their available resources were should such an event unfold. This was just a drill. To date, we have had only 13 responses of which 9 are immunized or otherwise immune and would volunteer. If you have not responded and which to, please do so now….it is not too late. info@charlottesvillecert.org
October Health Department Flu Exercise: The CERT Traffic Control Team will be participating in the Pandemic Flu Exercise 2006. We will set and maintain a traffic pattern to maximize traffic flow in and out of Station 11, (Monticello Fire Department) on the evening of October 26, 2006. This is an area which local officials have stated that assistance would be appreciated and one in which the CERT members could perform without extensive training. Watch for future Traffic Training classes. However, NIMS certification is still required, see Marge Thomas’ article above.
General Meeting: November 4, 2006. Badges will be offered to all CERT members who have completed Basic Training, see article above. There will be displays and refreshments. Bring your ideas on CERT.
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