America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 86 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

 Juan Hernandez PhD, Commander           James Sleichert, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

Fellow members,

We accomplished important goals for our Flotilla during the first quarter of this year.  Several projects were completed or will shortly be completed to finalize the relocation from the Moorings:

            relocating all equipment, which included two sheds        and the radio facility,   
            removing the radio tower and cleaning the Moorings facility,
            building a concrete pad for the storage shed and the base for the radio tower,
            mounting the radio tower and antennas,
            installing the grounding network and the computers and
 finishing other peripheral activities for these projects.

These accomplishments were possible thanks to the time and work effort provided by the following members

 1.    Bidwick, Al
 2.    Bruno, Harry
 3.    Chapman, Bob
 4.    Floyd, Joe
 5.    Hernandez, Juan
 6.    Jennings, Walt
 7.    Magyar, Lou
 8.    Marmion, Mike
 9.    Norton, Tom
10. Reynolds, Henry
11. Roth, Ron
12. Sleichert, Jim
13. Sperling, Art
14. Sperling, Patti
15. Stebner, Ed
16. Stutzman, Bob

 We recently completed the BS&S class and graduated 12 students and are now underway in the GPS class with 18 students.

 Our fellowship events are going well.  Last month 33 members and spouses/friends gathered at the Training Center for games and good food. We recently went to the Aqua Restaurant by boat or car for lunch.

 Finally, our member training activities are in full swing; we completed a QE mission in March when Ed Stebner requalified as coxswain, and Janet Heijens, Ron Roth, and Roland Couture qualified as crew.  We have a mission scheduled for April to re-qualify several other crew members and coxswains.

 We are also using safety patrols to do some member training, especially for those members that can only train on weekends. If necessary, we can always add another boat on weekends for a few hours to support training.  Please contact Jim Sleichert or Lou Magyar if you would like to train on weekends and we will try to accommodate your request.

 

Juan C. Hernandez, FC

 

 

 Juan Hernandez
 

 

Important Notice Best Viewed With Windows Internet Explorer Flotilla Staff Officers                CM - Juan Hernandez                CS -  Denis Keyes                FN -  Janet Heijens                IS   - Harry Bruno                MA - Richard Markwitz                MS - Roman Gzyl                 MT -  Lou Magyar                OP - Jim Sleichert                PA - Al Bidwick                PB - Judi Bidwick                PE - Judi Bidwick                PS - John Kandes                PV - Jerry Mitchell                SR - Ruthanne Bruno                                       General Meeting:               First Tuesday - 1930                  Training Center               On The Water Training               Every Thursday - 0830                Marine Max, Venice

Vice Commander
James Sleichert

 

FROM THE VICE COMMANDER’S DESK:

     It's April and the projects at the training center are on schedule and should be completed shortly.  We will need help reassembling the small shed that we took from the Moorings and placing it on our new concrete slab.

     Our on-the-water training is on schedule and with some luck, with the weather and with mechanical problems on our facilities, we should actually be able to get out on the water.  QE missions are being scheduled for crew and coxswain.  If you are one of the members that need to be re-qualified, be sure you are going out on patrols and on the water for training.  We cannot bring you up to speed if you do not attend training and go on patrols. 

     If any members would like to train on the weekends we must know what date you are available.  We can always put another boat out for a few hours on the weekend for on-the-water training use.  Any members that can only train on weekends e-mail me or Lou Magyar and we will make a list of members for weekend training.  We will try to train on weekends at least once a month.  Much of the beginning training can be done while on a normal patrol.  A second vessel would be needed for towing exercises.  That is a small part of the overall training.

      I’d like to thank everyone who has helped with the move from the Moorings and the work at the training center.  See you on the water or at the next meeting. 

James P. Sleichert
Vice Commander

Communications
Art Sperling, FSO-CM

 

Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Instructions

 

As summer approaches more boaters will be on the water. It is the perfect time to review the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Remember it’s not just you and your crew but other boaters that you may encounter while on patrol that can be affected by the heat.  If not quickly treated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which requires immediate emergency medical care and can be fatal.

 

Think Prevention!

                                

Always drink plenty of fluids (water or sports drinks, NOT carbonated or alcoholic drinks) before and during any activity in hot, sunny weather - even if you aren't thirsty. Come indoors immediately whenever you feel overheated.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Heat Exhaustion:

·                     severe thirst

·                     muscle weakness

·                     nausea, sometimes vomiting

·                     fast, shallow breathing

·                     irritability

·                     headache

·                     increased sweating

·                     cool, clammy skin

·                     elevation of body temperature to less than 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius)

Heatstroke:

·                     severe, throbbing headache

·                     weakness, dizziness, or confusion

·                     difficulty breathing

·                     decreased responsiveness or loss of consciousness

·                     may not be sweating

·                     flushed, hot, dry skin

·                     elevation of body temperature to 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) or higher

WHAT TO DO:

If the victim has a temperature of 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) or more, or shows any symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care (911) immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion and while awaiting help for a victim with possible heatstroke:

1.    Bring the victim indoors or into the shade immediately.

2. Undress the victim
3. Have the victim lie down; elevate feet slightly.
4. If the victim is alert, place in cool (not cold) bathwater temp water or sponge-bathe the victim repeatedly. If outside, spray the victim with mist from a garden hose.
5. If the victim is alert, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids (water or sports drinks are best,  NO  carbonated or alcoholic drinks ).
6. If the victim is vomiting, turn his or her body to the side to prevent choking.  
7. Monitor the victim's temperature.

Art Sperling, Emergency Medical Services

 

 

Communications Services
Denis Keyes, FSO-CS

 

 My predecessor Henry Reynolds, started an aggressive program to update the links on our website. As I follow his direction I find the demise of the DIRAUX WEST website leaves ours with a considerable number of links that go nowhere.

 I ask the membership, and in particular the Staff Officers, to report any defects in our website.  Please contact me at deniskeyes@verizon.net.

Thanks for your help.

Denis Keyes
FSO-CS

 

 

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

 

Thanks once again to those of you who submit your forms on a regular basis.  It makes my entry work so much easier and lessens the errors.  There still are some who submit batches of forms at one time making it difficult to process them individually.  Please try to submit your forms in a timely manner. 

Thank you. 

Harry Bruno
FSO-IS
 

Materials
 Ron Roth, FSO-MA

 

The 7^th District Material Center (formerly known as the 7^th District Store) has been open since mid February.  The Center’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am through 3:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 am through 2:00 pm.   Orders are now being accepted via telephone (727-535-2593) and FAX (727-535-2703).  The Center’s website is still down for maintenance; however, you can email the Center at D7materialcenter@gmail.com.

A recent order from the Center charged $3.00 for handling plus $1.68 for shipping for a $5.50 ODU belt.  Similarly, an order from Uniform Tape Co. in Tampa for two sew-on insignias, which cost $3.50, included a $3.85 charge for shipping.  These shipping and handling costs are significantly reduced on a per item basis as the number of items in each order is increased.  If you plan to order from these or similar organizations, let me know and we can try to combine orders to save on shipping and handling costs.

If you need Auxiliary materials from the National Supply Center, please notify me a month before you need them.  In most cases, I will have the items shipped directly to you.

 At the April flotilla meeting I will have several items for sale, including a lightly used men’s Service Dress Blue uniform with Vice Commander insignia along with two Officer’s Hats.  I will also have sew-on ODU collar insignia for member, flotilla staff officer, division staff officer, assistant district staff officer and coxswain.  Metal collar devices for the Undress Blue (meeting) uniform will be available for member, flotilla staff officer, division staff officer and flotilla commander.  Also, a few other miscellaneous metal devices collar will be available.

Finally, I will have a wide variety of shoulder boards and ribbon holders as well as 3 Auxiliary plastic rain ponchos, 2 used patrol boat ensigns, 3 Auxiliary blue flags and 2 like new vice commander pennants.

Past and present Auxiliarists donated all of these items to the flotilla.  The proceeds from the sales help to finance flotilla activities.

Ron Roth
FSO-MA
 

Member Training
  Lou Magyar, FSO-MT

 

 

Had 4 MT missions in the month of March, four of the missions included boats OWT (on-the-water-training).  We have 6 members in the AUXSEA course with 2 members from 83 and 1 from 87.  We will have a QE mission on 30 April

 This month’s training included: 

Boat handling 102 – Backing and docking
Executing SAR Patterns
The proper tow evolution
Anchors aweigh
Man overboard!!!
ATQ-03-01 through ATQ-03-03

 

Flotilla 86 Training Schedule
April – June
0830 – 1200

 

2 April 2009 TC
            Perform ATQ-03-01 through ATQ-03-03
            DR Plotting

9 April 2009 (boats) MM
            Towing evolutions
            Man overboard

16 April 2009 TC
            Fire fighting training (Venice Fire Department)
 

23 April 2009 (boats) MM
            Towing evolutions

30 April 2009 (boats) MM
            QE prep
            QE Mission
            Marlinspike

7 May 2009 TC
            ATQ -04-01 through ATQ-04-02
            What is DSC?
            Sexual Harassment workshop

14 May 2009 (boats) MM
          What if?
           Perform ATQ-04-01 through ATQ-04-02

21 May 2009 TC
            DCS Plotting
            Standard navigational information
            NWS Weather reports

28 May 2009 (boats) MM
             ATQ -05-01 through ATQ-05-02
             SAR patterns and execution

 4 June 2009 TC
            CPR (Venice Fire Department)

11 June 2009 (boats) MM
            DR road trip

18 June 2009 TC
            ATQ-06-01 through ATQ-06-0
            DCS SAR planning 

25 June 2009 MM
            DCS SAR execution

Lou Magyar
FSO-MT

Operations
Judi Bidwick, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

 

Nothing too exciting occurred in the Public Affairs realm during the past month.  However, I am looking forward to the Sharks Tooth Festival on the 17, 18, 19th of April, one of our major events.  As usual, I’ll be asking members to devote some of their time to help out at the booth.  Please put the dates on your calendar.  We set up on Friday, April 17 and have a full day on April 18th and 19th.  We will need help in taking down our tent on Sunday.

 

Al Bidwick
FSO-PA

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

 

We graduated 12 BS&S students on March 12th.  We had an excellent enrollment/graduation of students in these classes since January.  Much of the success is to the excellent efforts of Al and Judi Bidwick in advertising our classes.  We also thank the VE officers who promote our classes.  On March 11 we registered 15 students for the upcoming March 23 GPS class.  We registered early this time to allow for latecomers to call and register before the class begins.  Things are active in the PE Department! 

A special note of thanks to all the instructors who have been teaching and the aides who show up to assist at the classes.  The help we receive is greatly appreciated.

Ruth Bruno,
FSO-PE

 

Personnel Services
Paul Corcoran, FSO-PS

 

Introduction to Personnel and Membership – is now available on Auxiliary eLearning. This course will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn how to recruit, enroll or retain members. It takes the student through the subject matter in a systematic way, introducing existing and new Auxiliary materials and evaluating the student’s progress. The course should be particularly useful to new personnel services officers and flotilla commanders, who have an essential role in enrolling new members. You can access the course at: http://64.207.134.26/usr/moodle2/course/view.php?id=27  You may need to create an Aux eLearn account if this is your first visit.  If you have any questions or comments on the course, contact course developer Vincent "Tex" Boyer at vincentboyer@bellsouth.net or DVC-TD Nick Tarlson at nick@tarlson.com.

 

Paul Corcoran
FSO-PS

Mike Marmion
AFSO-PS  

Fellowship
Diana Floyd

 

We had ten people for the fellowship lunch at Aqua. The food was great the company even better.  Unfortunately, w e had two that could not stay due to a mishap on their boat.  Jennifer Reynolds is now supporting a fancy boot on her foot.  Henry had to return home on his boat alone and Jennifer got to ride in a big red bus.  We all missed Jennifer and Henry at lunch and hope to see them at our next adventure.  Speedy recovery Jennifer. 

Details of our next outing will follow soon.  In the meantime don't forget the Division 8 Picnic on April 17th at Station Cortez.

      

Fellowship
Diana Floyd

 

 

  

USCG AUX, FLOTILLA 86, Calendar  April, 2009

                    THINGS TO COME 

March 30                   GPS Class   1900  

March 31                   PE On Water Class            1000--1500 

April 2                        Member Training--Training Center 0830

                                    ATQ-03-01 through ATQ-03-03

                                    DR Plotting

April 2                        GPS Class                1900

April 9                        Member Training--Marine Max (boats)                                                              Towing, Man Overboard

April 11                      Division 8 Meeting 0900

April 16                      Member Training--Training Center

                                    Fire Fighting Training (Venice Fire Dept

April 17                      Division 8 Picnic, Sta Cortez  1130

April 17                      Venice Shark's Tooth Festival

                                    Set-up 1400--1500

April 18                      Shark's Tooth Festival  1000--1800

April 19                      Shark's Tooth Festival 1200--1600

April 23                      Member Training--Marine Max (boats)

                                    Towing Evolutions

April 25                      Tentative:  ATON Workshop

April 30                      Member Training--Marine Max (boats)

                                    QE Prep, Marlinspike, QE Mission

May 7                         Member Training--Training Center

                                    ATQ-04-01 through ATQ-04-02

                                    What is DSC?     Sexual Harassment Wkshp

(April is Paton Verification Month)

USCG AUX, FLOTILLA 86, MINUTES MARCH 3, 2009

                            Commander Juan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 1930 with 26 members and guests                guest Jeff Davis, 070 11 01 District 1NR form Chatham, MA; and Mr.Obermeyer visiting                 from Canada.    Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.

                FC Juan Hernandez:

*                        Commander asked Henry Reynolds to give an update on the antenna and cement pouring.               Henry stated  we now have 3 operating radios.  Commander pointed out we were                     were                     fortunate to receive the support of the University of Southern Florida and the Power
                             Squadron as well as the assistance of the concrete company.

*                            Work at the Nokomis facility is complete with the removal of antenna still pending.            

*                           A number of our members have taken and passed the ICS 210 course. Two
w                          workshops were given recently--1 hour TCT and Operations.  A Sexual Harassment
                             workshop will be scheduled soon. 

* The                    Power Squadron has invited us to make a presentation on March 19 regarding our
                             organization.

                             An in-service was presented by Judi Bidwick on "The Four Cornerstones." 

                             MINUTES:  A motion was made, seconded and all voted in favor of approving the
                             February Minutes as they appeared in the Fore and Aft.

                             FINANCE:  Janet Heijens presented the Finance Report.  A motion was made,
                             seconded and all voted in favor of accepting the February Finance report subject to audit.

                            STAFF REPORTS:  Staff reports appear in the current Fore and Aft.

                            FSO-NS:  Joseph Floyd announced that the program is now called NS -Navigation

                            Systems, no longer ATON.   Joe reminded members when completing their forms
                            regarding navigation aids to give to the IS officer.  He also stated form 7054 must be
                            mailed.   Procedures are listed in the March Fore and Aft.

                            FSO-CM:  Art Sperling needs watchstanders for the weekends.

                            FSP-IS:  Harry Bruno told members that the Annual Member Letters have been emailed. 

                            FSO-MS:  J.D.Harrison stated he distributed Waterway Watch literature to boating stores.

                            FSO-MT:  Lou Magyar said he has received good response to the OP training schedule.
                            He plans an Aux Seamanship course beginning 3/9 at 10:00 am.  Please let him know if
                            you plan to attend.  He also is planning a QE mission for April.  It is important for those
                            going north to do their qualifications.

                            FSO-OP: Judi Bidwick announced that only one patrol was cancelled and that was due to
                            weather.  She asked coxswains notify her if they wish patrols in April.  Also those who
                            missed the TCT 1 hr/OPs workshops should let her know.

                            FSO-PB:  Judi Bidwick said the Newsletter is online.  We are getting good participation
                            in article submission.

                            FSO-PA:  Al Bidwick announced that next month is the Sharks' Tooth Festival. 

                            FSO-PE:  Ruth Bruno stated 12 graduated from the BS&S class.  We will have
                            registration on March 11 for a GPS class that will begin March 23.
                            FSO-PS:  Paul Corcoran is working with two prospects; one is a county lifeguard.

                            FSO-VE:  Assistant VE officer Patrick Wheeler said we only have five vessel examiners.
                            He encourages other members to study and become examiners.  105 exams completed
                            to date:  J.Bidwick-14; J.Hernandez-2; H.Reynolds-2; J.Sleichert-2; P.Wheeler-85.  Two
                            students have passed the VE exam: Mary Wagner and Bruce Chamberlain.  Tomorrow
                            the students will help do inspections at the ramp.  They will be trained on inspecting a
                            PWC facility and a documented boat.

                            MENTOR:  Patrick Wheeler said things are running smoothly.

                            EMERGENCY SERVICES:  Art Sperling distributed the list of suggested First Aid items
                            on a facility.  He is working to get kits for the operational facilities. 

                            HEALTH SERVICES:  Art Sperling asked members to review the "Breeze" section on
                            Auxiliary and Health Services.  Health Services department is looking for medical people
                            to volunteer.

                            FELLOWSHIP:  Diana Floyd said our last fellowship event of a Sloppy Joe Supper and
                            Military Whist was a success.  In March we will have a boat trip to a restaurant for lunch. 
                            More information will follow.  The date will be Tuesday, March 24.  Diane asked anyone
                            willing to volunteer their boat to please email her.

                  AWARDS:

 Service   Award:  Paul Corcoran-10yrs; Charles Dulany-20yrs; Jerry Hopfengardner-5yrs;

                   Richard Kassler-5yrs; Richard Jones-15yrs; Norman McGraw-15yrs; Richard Weigler-20yrs;

                   D. Mumper-5yrs; Jerry Mitchell-5yrs; Monique Ring-5yrs; Bob Schneider-5yrs.

                  Certifications: Bob Stutzman-3rd yr crew; Alfredda Smith-Hurst-3rd yr crew;
                  Garland Russ-3rd yr crew;

                  Denis Keyes, 3rd yr coxswain; Mike Lechky-3rd yr coxswain.

                  Facility Inspection:  G. Russ; M. Lechky

                  Cert of Appt and Appreciation:  Rich Odato-VE; Denis Keyes-CS; G. Russ-Apprec.

                  Retirement:ent:  John Schultz

                 Old Business:  Jim Sleichert announced that we now have two refrigerators.  Lou Magyar
                 would like to purchase the older refrigerator and the new one is presently in our kitchen. 
                 Al Bidwick made a motion that the Flotilla sell the old refrigerator to Lou Magyar; motion was
                 seconded by Harry Bruno.  All voted in favor. 

                Jim asked that all members please utilize our Google calendar.  Instructions for use are online
                 and were emailed to members.  Officers are asked to list their activities on the calendar.

                 New Business:  Jim Sleichert announced that Ed Stebner will be Assistant FSO-MT to
                 Lou Magyar.

                 Good of the Order:  A thank you note was received from Jennifer Reynolds for cards received.
                 A thank you note was received from Kings Gate mentioning the excellent work performed by
                 Patrick Wheeler, VE and the assistance of Mary Wagner.

                 There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2020.

                 Respectfully submitted,

                 Ruth Bruno, Secretary                      

Ruth Bruno, Secretary                 ;