According to the Center for Disease Control, the recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico has spread into the United States and is serious and has them worried. The swine flu is an air born virus contracted by simply being in close proximity with someone who is infected. Germs may also be picked up by touching something that is infected and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of getting infected. They come in three groups: personal hygiene and cleanliness, avoiding crowds and avoiding giving it to someone else. Whatever you do: do not panic. This is a flu, not Anthrax or Ricin... It may be a bad flu, but at this time it does not seem to be The End Of The World, no matter what the media say...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council have joined with Discovery Education to announce Ready Classroom, an online educational program.
Ready Classroom will provide elementary and middle school teachers with resources to integrate natural disaster preparedness information into their curriculum. The program is an extension of Ready Kids, a nationwide effort designed to encourage children and families to take action and prepare for emergencies.

When Tracy CERT organized its first training last October nobody could have foreseen how its members would be tested. In the midst of the horror surrounding the disappearance and murder of Sandra Cantu Tracy's 40+ CERT members rose to the occasion. They logged hundreds of hours during the 10-day search and somehow also found the time to help distribute10,000 flyers among the population. When radio communications broke down Ham operators (many of them CERT members) stepped up to the plate and kept operations going. The Tracy CERT team was recognized this week by Tracy City Council for its efforts in the case and will also be recognized later this month at the Annual Tracy Volunteer Luncheon.  I can only hope and pray that when we in Lamorinda get tested, we will rise to the same level of professionalism. Well done! An article in the San Jose Mercury will tell you more...

“Through global warming, we have now fire season all year round. We used to have fire seasons only in the fall, but now the fire seasons start in February already...” Arnold Schwarzenegger (11/17/2008)
“The probability of fire at any given time will … multiply in nearly every area of California, including coastal ranges and the high Sierra,” report scientists from UC Merced. They estimate that the acreage burned by fires will also increase, from 57 to 169 percent (4/2/2009)
While climate change may be a blessing in disguise for Southern California (the Santa Ana winds are expected to decrease), it continues to be very bad news for Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area. Climate change is already changing the types of trees and vegetation in our area, turning existing and formerly fire retardant vegetation into fuel in areas that were considered to be ‘safe’ in the past.

In light of our national economic situation and in preparation for April as National Financial Literacy Month, the National Office of Citizen Corps is highlighting the efforts of organizations who are leading the way in promoting pre-disaster financial preparedness and in increasing financial literacy across the country. We encourage all Citizen Corps Councils and partners to learn more about how they can get involved in local financial literacy efforts and to reach out to citizens with the valuable information outlined below.

Lamorinda CERT and Lamorinda DART are delighted to announce that in collaboration with the American Red Cross they will bring advanced CERT training to the Lamorinda area.

Registration:

Online: through this form? or by phone: Ken Tom (925) 376-0533

A new and exciting  Advanced Training for CERT graduates

This training will be offered in collaboration with the American Red Cross and will train CERT graduates to become American Red Cross Disaster Volunteers.

This training includes Standard First Aid, Adult CPR and AED and which will be FREE if you become a Red Cross Volunteer.

Dates:

• September 12, SMC, 9-5: Fulfilling Our Mission, Mass Care: An Overview
• September 26, SMC, 9-5: Shelter Operations
• October 24, SMC, 9-5: Volunteer Intake
• November 7, SMC, 9-5: Psychological First Aid

At a date and location of your choice: Standard First Aid with CPR / AED (see below for sample dates)

Registration:

• Online: www.LamorindaCERT.org
• Phone: Ken Tom (925) 376-0533

Location

Most classes will be held at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. The Standard First Aid with CPR / AED will take place in Concord.

Class Size

The class is limited to 30 participants. We need a minimum of 20 to be able to get started.

Red Cross Volunteer

After attending 'Fulfilling Our Mission' participants can become American Red Cross Volunteers. This requires a background check.

You do not have to become a registered American Red Cross Volunteer in order to take the training. 

Course Outline

Description of the modules offered by the American Red Cross:

Fulfilling Our Mission

The purpose of this course is to enable participants to translate their care and compassion into

community action, through a uniform message. The participants will be able to assess how to use their skills and abilities to strengthen the capacity of both the community and the Red Cross to better serve people affected by disaster. They will understand the Mission of the Red Cross, the Fundamental Principles and Values that support the mission and the expected behaviors of Red Cross volunteers and employees in the conduct of that mission.

Mass Care: An Overview

This course is designed to introduce the learners to the activities for the Mass Care group. It involves video segments, instructor lectures and classroom activities. The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services training is to provide an overview of the activities performed by the Mass Care group in support of a disaster relief operation. 

Shelter Operations

This course is designed for the learners to acquire knowledge of Red Cross policies and procedures for setting up, running and closing a shelter during a disaster. The course includes lecture and group exercises. The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services course is to prepare employees and volunteers of the Red Cross and other agencies to manage shelter operations effectively and sensitively as a team while meeting the needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster.

Volunteer Intake

The purpose of the workshop is to provide Red Cross staff with the knowledge and skills to prepare for, manage and maximize the use of Spontaneous Volunteers during a catastrophic event by learning the skills to set up Volunteer Intake Center and process new volunteers.

Psychological First Aid

The course will enable individual volunteers recognize the signs of stress in clients, co-workers and themselves and apply immediate support to people who may be experiencing stress.  Participants will also learn how to obtain additional mental health support for themselves, co-workers and clients.

Standard First Aid with CPR

Teaches rescue breathing, choking rescue and adult one-rescuer CPR. You will also learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, plus how to treat cuts, bruises, bone and muscle injuries, shock, bleeding and other first aid emergencies.

You can choose one of the following dates for your First Aid training:

• Fri. 9/25/09 Concord, 9 - 4
• Sat. 10/3/09 Concord, 9 - 4
• Mon. 10/12/09 Oakland, 9 - 4
• Thurs. & Fri. 10/22, 6 - 10 & 10/23/09, 6 - 9 Concord
• Thurs. 11/12/09 Concord, 9 - 4
• Sat. 12/5/09 Concord, 9 - 4

Sign up today!

On the web: LamorindaCERT.org

By phone:

 (925) 376-0533

Here is the brochure!

These are new Incident Command System (ICS) courses:  FDA-developed, tailored to Animal-Food-Ag-Water Infrastructure, to be held at CDFA in Sacramento (ATT: Announcement).  No Cost.
 
INTENDED AUDIENCE - Anyone who:

• Has not taken ICS 300 or 400
• Wants to attend an ICS 300 or 400 course customized for Food/Ag/Water/Animal Infrastructure
• Wants to earn credits toward a credential to be on an Incident Management Team (IMT)
• Has held, may hold, or plans to hold, positions represented by the red or aqua blocks in the ICS Organizational Chart below

Rick Kovar from the Office of the Sheriff, Emergency Services Division is recruiting volunteers to role play in various emergency medical scenarios for a search and rescue team training on Saturday, April 11 from 7 Am to 2 PM. Attached is the flyer. Please contact Rick to register .