RESPONDING TO MIDNIGHT ASSISTANCE CALL



Nicole Zinn (North Team Ldr), Bob Flocke (West Team Ldr) and Paul Elliott (Director - Ops) answered Bill Coffman's midnight request for rehab assistance at a structure fire in Dripping Springs Tuesday night, May 6th. Coffman, in addition to being a CERT Director is also a Lt. in the Driftwood FD.

Three units of a four-unit apartment building were destroyed. Some 40 firefighters were involved in the firefight.

OTHER IMPORTANT TEAM NEWS

May 10 "regular" Team training will focus on all aspects of setting up a complete rehab operation from one of our trailers (tents, misters, logs, supply locations) as well as fine point of our Mule operation (including new water spray unit). This is needed by every CERT member for 2 reasons: 1)These "tools" are basic to our operations, and 2)Things have changed since you may have last worked out of the trailer or with the Mule. Training start time is 0900 - at the VFW annex. Be sure to wear CERT shirts, caps. We plan to finish by noon.

Lions Market Day support...We leaned pretty heavily on Bob Pierce (Team West)to provide our usual fire and first aid support at the most recent Market Day (May 3rd). Usually we have at least a two-person team, but this time Bob was on his own and, according to Lions Field leaders, did a super job. If you'd like to help out in the future, contact Bob Flocke (West Team Ldr) at rflocke@austin.rr.com.

FEMA Incident Command System courses required...All Hays Co. CERT members are expected to complete two on-line courses pertaining to the Incident Command System -- the system we will be working under at virtually all call-outs.
The many members who have completed the courses say each takes about 1-1/2 hours to complete. Access them at: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp. That will take you to the Emergency Management Institute course list. Scroll down the course list to the first required course: IS-100 (Introduction to the Incident Command System), then take IS-700 (National Incident Management System). It's recommended you download the course outlines which you can use to complete the quiz which you can also download. Any questions... and once you've finished a course, please contact Lewis Smith at: LSranch@verizon.net. In addition, Team Leaders are required to complete IS-200.

Severe weather CERT advisories... The best place to stay up to date on what's happening in the County is to check the County web site (http://www.co.hays.tx.us)and click on the Office of Emergency Management tab on the home page. Call out standbys and actions will continue to be communicated through Team Leaders.

Volunteers are needed. For more information, please click here to email CERT.