EDITORS: SHEILA HALL AND TERRY SWANSON
August 2006
CONGRATULATIONS BRAD TARGHETTA!
Region V Deputy Commander - Brad Targhetta - was highly recognized this past year. Not only did he receive the Illinois Funeral Directors Association’s “Above and Beyond” Award for his efforts on behalf of the families following Hurricane Katrina (see above article), but also his funeral home earned two other honors by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA): “Golden Eagle Status” and “Ten Best Funeral Homes in the United States Award.”
The “Golden Eagle Status” is awarded to funeral homes that
meet a number of NFDA requirements and criteria. Each year, only a small
percentage of those submitting for this status actually acquire this level of
achievement. This year, only five funeral homes in
For the first time this year, the NFDA selected funeral
homes that they ranked as the “Ten Best Funeral Homes in the
Congratulations!
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
SUE ATWOOD
Administrative Officer
The 2007
NDMS Conference will be held
Professional
licenses for many disciplines expire this fall. Make
sure to send a copy of your renewed license to Sue via “snail mail,” fax, or
scan/email.
Immunizations
also need to be kept up-to-date. Annual testing applies to TB and flu shots.
Remember to pack your immunization card when deployed.
The IS
courses 100, 200, 700, and 800 must be completed with certificates of
completion sent to Sue.
Sue still has 2007 ID badges from those who attended the 2006 NDMS
Conference and our regional training. You must send in your 06 badge
in order to receive the new one. For those who did not attend either
training, security packets were sent out via email and must be returned to
Sue. You will then be mailed the fingerprint cards with instructions.
The newly created website, teams.fema.gov has a link for general
membership which will keep you up-to-date as information is dispersed from
headquarters.
We have had problems with our group email this summer;
hence, not much information was sent out from your officers. We are all
only an email away. Don't hesitate to contact any one of us.
Contact information
for Sue Atwood is:
cell:
616-723-3433
home: 616-669-0902
fax:
616-669-1690
work:
616-774-7499
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK FOR DEPLOYMENT
Team members should have a “Basic Deployment Pack” readily available, in case of a deployment. Careful thought should be given in considering what items to include in the pack. The following are recommendations/considerations– type of disaster, regional weather, and lodging accommodations that are likely to be encountered, may influence what you decide to bring. Travel as light as possible; but remember, it is better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
You should prepare for a
minimum of 2 weeks; 3 weeks is suggested.
BASIC DEPLOYMENT
PACK
The “Basic Deployment Pack” should contain standard items to be taken with you on any disaster deployment. At minimum, it should contain the following items, many of which can be pre-packed for readiness and availability.
* A backpack that
can remain with you at all times if need be
* A larger bag that can be left at
the “lodging” location or DMORT base of operations
* DMORT photo ID card on lanyard or in DMORT card holder
* Immunization Card
* Cash-enough for at least 2 weeks
(ATM¹s may not be available) and a few
credit cards
* Uniforms (“blouse”/jackets [with
appropriate patches], several sets of
trousers, multiple green T-shirts preferably
the Region V variety)
* Belt - black
* Hat for protection from sun
* Underwear and socks
* Gloves-lightweight, leather
* Boots (steel shank) and other
footwear (broken in prior to deployment).
* Heavy duty rain suit jacket and
trousers (Gore-Tex or similar if
possible)
* Prescription medications (3 weeks
supply in original containers with
label)
* Spare eyeglasses
* Watch
* Laxatives, anti-diarrhea medications, pain relief medication (Tylenol,
Ibuprofen, etc) vitamins- especially
multi.
* Toiletries - including soap
* Towel (very thin and absorbent
type for campers or an old one) and washcloth
* Detergent for washing clothing
(there may be no laundry facilities)
* Small first aid kit
* Flashlight and
extra batteries
* Sun screen
* Insect repellant -Ultrathon by 3M
(recommended brand)
* Foot powder and baby powder (for
chafing) or Gold Bond
* Casual clothes and shoes
* Lightweight laundry bag
* Large garbage bags (several)
* Cell phone and chargers
* Paperbacks for
reading and then sharing
ADDITIONAL FOR HURRICANE DEPLOYMENTS
This deployment is different from all previous deployments in as much as
housing, electricity, water, etc. may be unavailable or unreliable.
* 2 old single bed sized sheets
* Sleeping bag or
blanket
* Small pillow
* A sweatshirt or
equivalent because it does sometimes cool off at night
* Earplugs, soft (it can get noisy
at night or during the day if you are
trying to sleep.)
* Powdered Gatorade or other source
of electrolytes to add to your drinking
water.
* Small battery powered fan and extra
batteries - Useful for temperatures up to and
potentially over 120 degrees.
* Bottled water (6-pack or 32-64 oz)
* Teabags or coffee bags
* Snacks (Powerbars, cheese
crackers, trailmix, etc.)
* Bathing suit and sandals you may
be sharing a hose etc. when you are “showering”
DON’T BRING
* Cameras including cell phone
cameras (you may be able to use them off duty,
but you CAN’T use them in the morgue
and your off duty use could be misinterpreted)
* Computers
* Valuables in general - they may
be hard to protect properly under these circumstances
REMEMBER: Never Travel in Uniform!
For the most current listing of what is allowed in your
carry-on or checked luggage, please refer to www.tsa.gov
.
Additional packing suggestions from team members, based on their past
experiences, would be greatly appreciated in order to keep this list current.
Please forward any suggestions to the Editors of “Voice of V.”
UPDATE FROM YOUR COMMANDER
DR. FRANK SAUL
As this edition goes to press, Region V is rostering Team
members in anticipation of their being needed for Hurricane Ernesto or other
hurricanes.
As we were preparing the roster, we received word of the crash of a Comair
commuter plane in
These situations should remind us all of why we are in DMORT and the need to
always be prepared ahead of time to respond to situations such as Hurricanes.
This way, we can anticipate, up to a point, the expected and also the
unexpected. Make certain that your contact information, your ID's, your
uniforms, and your travel materials (including those specified in the Packing
for Deployment article in this issue of the V of V) are always ready. BE PREPARED! You owe it to the
victims, their families, and your team mates.
EDITORS’
NOTE:
The staff of the
“Voice of V” needs your help in developing articles of interest and relevance
to Region V. Please submit anything that you think would be appropriate to our
editors at:
Sheila Hall: halls @infantwelfare.org
Terry Swanson:
robertaswanson@msn.com
