Newsletter

IMPORTANT DATES

October 10-12 Night Operations Exercise in Tampa area involving C-130 aircraft and Blackhawk helicopters. Unlike most exercises, as the name implies, most of the training events will be at night. Downtime, aka sleep, will be during the day. Reserve these dates on your calendar. More info to follow.

December 5-7 MANDATORY Statewide training exercise north of Tampa. State is working on specific details. More info to follow. Reserve these dates also.

These exercises are close to our area and do not involve long road trips.

Editorial:

This edition of the newsletter will take on a different format than that of previous editions. At the June executive committee meeting I was given "an offer that I could not refuse" and volunteered (?) to take over the job of editing the team newsletter. With the government requiring more from the team's administrator, Connie just didn't have the time available to continue in the position of editor. I am sure that all team members appreciate the work that Connie has put into the newsletters and her dedication to the admin position for the team. You go girl!! A heartfelt thanks!!

Any new endeavor involves taking risks. This is a new position for me and I hope you will be tolerant while I try to master the "learning curve of publishing". I only hope that the curve does not start to look more like a cliff. It's times like these that I really appreciate the two years I spent in sophomore English class. For those of you who enjoy looking for spelling errors (yes, they do occur, even with spell check) and poor syntax, I will try my best not to disappoint. I think I can reed and spel reel gud!

I remember a song with lyrics that mentioned "The times, they are a changing". We have had our own changing times on the team, the untimely death of Bill Bishop and the rise of Gary Lindbergh to a position in Maryland. Changes continue under the leadership of our new Unit Commander, Bob Hendrickson and the team's new Deputy Commander Bruce Gottschalk. Yes, you read that correctly. It is not a typo. I was asked by Bob to fill the position left by the resignation of Joyce Mason as Deputy Commander. We will miss Joyce and the experience that she brought to the team. We wish her well in any and all future endeavors. Any of you who have ever been placed in a supervisory position can realize what challenges Bob is experiencing. A full time job, a family, an irritating newsletter editor, and the responsibilities of unit commander can be overwhelming. It is a good thing that Bob has broad shoulders. As team members, it is our duty and responsibility to support Bob. For those of you who are or were in management positions, you have the additional skill and knowledge to help mold the team into a cohesive unit. One thing to keep in mind is if a manager tries to please everyone, then the manager is not doing his or her job properly.

Personnel matters are not the only changes that the team is experiencing. With the advent of increased team funding, the government now requires more accountability. A team budget must be submitted to Maryland with monies earmarked for certain categories and line items. Of course, the feds have line item veto authority. A third party, VWI, has been contracted by the feds to administer team funds. In line with giving the teams more money, the feds now are looking at team performance. Can we muster a team to go out the door? Are team members fulfilling the minimum requirements to be a team member? As all you have heard, you must complete the core segments of the online training curriculum and have an up to date inoculation history in order to even be considered for deployment status. These are not arbitrary requirements set by Gary or Bob, but by the hierarchy in Maryland.

Some of you have recently received a certified letter from Bob asking you to comply with the requirements for team membership. This is a decision that you must make. What value do you place on your membership? We ask that you seriously think about whichever decision you make. For those of you who choose to go inactive, we thank you for your past contributions to the team. For those who elect to stay active, we thank you and ask that you be more active on the team. FL-2 is your team, my team, our team. Let's make the team the best that we can.

The team is not unlike other organizations. Every team has the underachievers and the overachievers; the drivers and those who just go along for the ride. In most organizations, 80% of the work is done by 20% of the members. Sorry to say, we are not any different. I realize that it is difficult to maintain interest when the team may not be deployed for a considerable length of time. There are executive committee meetings and training sessions that you can attend. Some members complain that they don't hear from the team. Come to a meeting and feel the pulse of the organization. The newsletter can provide you with some information but it can't give you the sense of belonging and camaraderie that one gains by being with friends and coworkers.

We have initiated a multi-faceted recruiting effort to increase our membership. Some of you may have seen the ads in your local paper. We are all recruiters. Don't miss an opportunity to "talk up" the team to peers, friends, and acquaintances. Imagine, if every member recruited only one additional person what an awesome team FL2 would be. If that concept falls short, consider the lazy mans point of view. Spreading the work out over more people means less work for each individual.

Many times you can judge another person by the books they read. After plowing through the books in Oprah's Book Club, I decided to read the Webster's dictionary. The following are a few of the gems that I would like to share with you.

Newsletter (n) a bulletin issued regularly to subscribers, employees, or members of an organization or group containing news, calendar of upcoming events, etc.

Editor (n) 1. a person who edits 2. one whose work is procuring and editing manuscripts

Newsletter editor (n) 1. the person who is out of the room when a committee chooses a new editor

Commitment (n) 1. a pledge or promise to do something 2. dedication to a long term course of action, engagement

Team (n) 1. a group of people working together in a coordinated effort

Bruce Gottschalk, editor (H) 239-549-1309

FROM THE COMMANDER'S CORNER

This has been an interesting year for both the team and myself. As most of you know, our previous Unit Commander, Gary Lindbergh, accepted a position in Washington D.C. as Emergency Operations Officer for the West coast DMAT teams. All reports say that he is doing a wonderful job and staying really busy. We wish him the very best!

As the new commander, I am very proud to lead a team as professional and well accepted as FL2. We have a reputation in the upper circles as the "get it done" team and we will continue to do so. With the high standards that have already been established and the positive attitude you all have, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. My heartfelt thanks for your support.

Since the last newsletter, there have been numerous meetings and conference calls in regards to the direction of the DMAT teams. We have been put under the umbrella of the Dept. of Homeland Security ( DHS ) and there has been a tremendous amount of reorganization and shuffling of personnel. There is much more accountability now than ever before, with the government expecting everyone to "tighten up". REQUIRED online training and inoculations for ALL deployable team members has been instituted. Additionally, new, more secure Federal ID's are being issued. Team members are being very carefully monitored for compliance. Teams are being placed on "alert" to check their ability to muster a deployable roster and the status of their equipment. In January and May we were placed on "alert" for two weeks and it should happen again in September. Budgets have been increased to meet our needs. I thank everyone for their hard work and support.

There are many issues being addressed right now in regards to equipment, inventory, storage, training, membership and recruiting. I (we) welcome any suggestions that you may have. Please contact either myself, or any member of the executive committee, if you want to become more involved. Again, thank you for your support. Stay Safe!

Bob Hendrickson (H) 941-639-7198

FROM THE DUC'S DEN

First off, let me change hats from that of editor to that of Deputy Unit Commander. When I started to write the editorial section of this newsletter, little did I know that I would be one of the changes that I was addressing. I want to thank Bob for having faith and confidence in me. I also have to mention Connie, for I am positive that I would not be in this position without her blessing. I will try my best not to disappoint anyone.

In the past few weeks I have placed want ads in local newspapers looking for team members. As a result of this, we received approximately 17 requests for membership. I cast the net out to snare the new members. Now I challenge our existing membership to come up with ways to keep these new members and others "in the net". I am looking for a small band of fanatical recruiters and ruthless retention specialists. No, I'm not really looking for people who will break members' legs so that they can't run away!! I am asking for people who want to be on a committee whose charge will be "Recruiting and Retention". If you don't wish to be on a committee, you're not getting out of any work. I request that ALL members sit down and make a list of things that the team can do to bring the membership closer together and also retain those members we have. What would YOU, yes you..the person reading this... like to see the team do? Those of you who are trainers in your organizations, we want your input also. What training would you like to see? If you are a member who is dissatisfied with the team, please let us know. We cannot address a problem if no one brings it to our attention. Does the idea of assigning a new member to a mentor sound like a good idea. Let's get some feedback and explore this. Thanks Don. Think about activities that can include our families. Folks, what I'm basically saying is " GET INVOLVED". If you are just sitting back waiting to deploy somewhere, you're gonna get old and gray. Interest in the team should be more than just for deployments!

OK, let me get off my soapbox and change hats again.

Bruce Gottschalk (H) 239-549-1309

FROM CONNIE'S CORNER

The theme of this newsletter seems to be changes. For a brief moment I will stay with that theme. It is imperative that you notify the communications officer and me when you have a change of address or change in phone, cell, or pager numbers. We must be able to contact you. Notifications of change of e-mail addresses are also requested. Much of the team's communication is done by e-mail.

September is next month and it means that the team is once again "on the bubble". Let's not forget that September is in the peak time period for hurricanes.

We encourage anyone who wants to become more involved with the team to attend the monthly executive committee meetings. These meetings are held on the 2^nd Monday of every month at the Red Cross Building located at 2516 Colonial Blvd. Ft. Myers. For those of you who live further away, why not consider a car pool with other members.

Uniforms-No decision has been made about changing the NDMS emblems on uniforms. All the teams are awaiting a decision from Washington. The USPHS strip above the left breast pocket will be changed to read NDMS. Blue team t-shirts may be purchased by contacting Barb Goodwin at 239-481-5706. Short sleeve shirts are $8.00, long sleeve are $10.00. Sweatshirts are $15.00.

Connie Bowles (H) 239-549-7893

FROM THE RADIO SHACK

In the past few weeks we have been busy setting up "radio shack #3". This is a climate controlled storage room that enables us to keep our temperature sensitive equipment in one location. We now have the ability to keep current on routine maintenance and calibration of our medical and radio equipment. One of our projects is to color code various pieces of equipment to ease assembly/set-up in time of deployment.

At the NDMS Conference in Reno, an amateur radio license course was available to the teams' communications types. I now can be known as "KG4ZAH". This license will enable the team to use the ham radio network for emergency communications with their families while on deployment. Now you say, "Why do we need this when we all have cell phones." Please remember that we may be deployed to an area where the communications infrastructure has been severely compromised or completely destroyed.

I am also looking for interested members who would like to be part of the expanding communications sector. If you have any experience with dispatch, assembly and maintenance, or HAM radio please contact Connie or me.

The various DMAT regions hold communications training sessions. While not finalized, FL2 may be the next session host. I will keep you informed as events progress.

Please make sure that you always carry or be with earshot of your various communications devices. I must be able to contact you and you must be able to know that you have a message. Please check for missed messages. The text message will advise you if you need to, and where to call for further information or instructions. Please do not call unless directed to do so.

I'd like to thank the newsletter editor for giving us the opportunity to address the membership. I would like any member with questions, issues, concerns, or needs in reference to communications or their own communications equipment to kindly contact me. I will attempt to help you in any way I can. Also, if you can think of any communications training or courses that you would like to have made available, please contact me.

Mike Gorgas (H) 239-574-2962

FROM THE SECURITY SECTOR

As you receive your new DHS ID cards, it is important to remind you of the importance of safeguarding these cards. If the card is lost or misplaced, you MUST immediately notify Connie. These cards are not to be routinely carried in your wallets or purses. They are to be used for official DMAT purposes only. Lost cards may enable non-authorized individuals to enter controlled areas and compromise security.

Team safety and security is the responsibility of all members. When deployed, on training, or otherwise with the team, if you see something or someone suspicious or "not quite right" notify security immediately. This will aid me in providing a secure and safe environment. Also, it enables me to quickly notify other law enforcement agencies.

Peter Lugo (H) 239-458-8248

FROM OUR COMFORTING CISD COUNSELOR

Dealing with trauma when it happens is much easier than waiting until it surfaces later. Many traumatic memories, not only surface later in life, but do so with a vengeance and intensity that leaves the survivor of that trauma feeling out of control, irrational, and helpless.

We have enough research now that substantiates the positive outcomes of early intervention. Early intervention can prevent Post Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can go a long way in reducing suicide rates, divorce, substance abuse, and development of other psychiatric disorders.

DMAT members have an inherent job risk of being exposed to trauma, death, injury, and many other abnormal traumatic events, also called critical incidents. A critical incident is any experience that has the potential to elicit strong emotional, psychological, physical, behavioral, or spiritual responses. Those responses are called critical incident stress.

Critical incident stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. What causes so much of the problem is when the individual thinks they are not normal, and keep their thoughts and feelings and reactions to themselves where they get imbedded in their memory. Once in the memory, the potential to surface at inopportune times becomes a hazard.

If those thoughts, feelings, and reactions are dealt with at the time of the trauma, the memory files them differently. Dealing with them immediately using the basics of CISM has been proven to reduce evidence of long- term symptoms. Early intervention can prevent PTSD and generate the ability to function healthier and longer.

The basics of CISM are: ventilation of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to someone who can validate them as normal and education on how to release and manage those feelings. You cannot manage your reactions if you choose to deny, minimize, or ignore those feelings and thoughts. It is never too late to manage CIS, only harder as time passes.

Noel Holdsworth (H) 941-764-1393

FROM LOGISTICS

Many of our members attended the state training exercise on the Orlando International Airport property last December. A few weeks ago the national news agencies ran stories pertaining to the number of "creatures" inhabiting the airport grounds. The following is for those who attended that training.

How to wrestle free from an alligator

If you are on land, try to get on the gator's back and put downward pressure on his neck.
Cover the gator's eyes. This will usually make it more sedate.
Use any weapon you have, or your fists, and go for the eyes or nose.
If the jaws are closed on something you want to remove, your head for example, tap or punch it on the snout. Gator's often open their mouths if tapped lightly. They may drop whatever it is that they got a hold of and back off.
You must prevent the gator from shaking you or rolling you over, these instinctual actions cause severe tissue damage.
Seek medical attention immediately.

Rich Holdsworth (H) 941-764-1393

BACK TO THE EDITOR

I want to thank those members who answered my request for articles to include in this newsletter. Your interest and dedication has made my job easier. The next newsletter is scheduled for November. I'd appreciate it if ALL team members start thinking of articles or other tidbits of information and interest for inclusion.

Approximately 17 of our members attended a logistics exercise with FL3. The supervisory team would like to thank all those who attended for a fantastic job done in some extreme conditions. A representative from Western Shelters was amazed at how quickly the team could erect the tents. Another representative from Maryland Headquarters was also impressed with the team's performance. I am confident that John Gaffney will discuss what he saw with our former commander, Gary Lindbergh.

The work was long, tiring, and hot. FL3 was surprised to see that we could muster so many members for a training exercise. FL3 is a great team and it is always a privilege to be allowed to play with them. Let's try to muster even more members for the October training.

Again, thanks to all who participated in this exercise. To parody a TV commercial.....

"FL2..the few, the brave, the proud, the best!!"

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!

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FL-DMAT

February 2004

IMPORTANT DATES

March 11-12 NDMS inspection of warehouse facility

FL2 – DMAT

November 2003

FL2-DMAT NEWSLETTER

IMPORTANT DATES

FROM THE COMMANDER'S CORNER

FROM THE DUC'S DEN

FROM CONNIE'S CORNER

FROM THE RADIO SHACK

FROM THE SECURITY SECTOR

FROM OUR COMFORTING CISD COUNSELOR

FROM LOGISTICS

BACK TO THE EDITOR