March 2021

The 2021 Vaccination training course in-residence at Camp Atterbury (Indiana) was successfully completed on 21 March. 23 attendees have been issued completion certificates. Well done!!!

PREVIOUS BULLETINS:

Memo Nov 2020 

In anticipation of State Defense Forces being called up to assist in Vaccine distribution, we are encouraging member states to review and pass the SALT training link below. 

LTC (IN) Julian Ungar-Sargon MD PhD

Chairman, Medical Academy

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COVD Vaccine Distribution Training: Training on-line, SALT

Planning for Distribution of COVID Vaccine in the event of  deployment to assist.

There is a need to determine which triage tools are compliant with MUCC principles. In fact, at the time the MUCC were developed, no single triage tool was available that was fully compliant with the MUCC. NEMSAC believes that compliance checklists, based on the four main categories of the MUCC, could be developed, transmitted, and widely disseminated among national, State, regional, and local EMS officials. Development, transmittal, and dissemination of compliance checklist(s), as well as technical assistance in evaluating compliance of State, regional and local EMS systems, could be carried out by a national EMS organization, such as the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO).

In developing proposed strategies to support the national adoption of MUCC, the Preparedness Committee examined recommendations made by the NEMSAC and the IOM’s Crisis Standards of Care committee as well as the National Prehospital Evidence-Based Guideline Model Process

National Disaster Life Support Foundation[1]

TO REGISTER FOR SALT TRAINING click belo

https://register3.ndlsf.org.

Mass casualty triage is a critical skill. Although many systems exist to guide providers in making triage decisions, there is little scientific evidence available to demonstrate that any of the available systems have been validated. Furthermore, in the United States there is little consistency from one jurisdiction to the next in the application of mass casualty triage methodology. There are no nationally standardized categories or color designations. SALT Triage is the product of a CDC Sponsored working group to propose a standardized triage method.  The guideline, entitled SALT (sort, assess, life-saving interventions, treatment and/or transport) triage, was developed based on the best available science and consensus opinion. It incorporates aspects from all of the existing triage systems to create a single overarching guide for unifying the mass casualty triage process across the United States.  SALT is compliant with the Model Uniform Core Criteria for Mass Casualty Triage currently contemplated as the proposed national standard for all mass casualty triage systems.

On July 8, 2013 all of the members of Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (members: DOT, DOD, HHS, DHS, and FCC) concurred with the following statement “The FICEMS recommends that state and local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems improve their mass casualty incident triage capabilities through adoption of triage protocols and systems that are based on the Model Uniform Core Criteria. Federal resources may be used to support development of capabilities which improve EMS system preparedness for mass casualty triage.”

SALT Triage On-line Training (FREE)

 

 

FURTHER COVID 19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLAN UPDATES – Links Below

Memo #1:    https://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Covid-Vaccine-Distribution-Planning-Memo-1.pdf

Memo #2:  https://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Covid-Vaccine-Distribution-Planning-Memo-2.pdf

Memo #3:  https://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Covid-Vaccine-Distribution-Planning-Memo-3.pdf

 

 

The SGAUS Summer 2020 newsletter is out. You can access it electronically via link below on this page; or go to the SGAUS web site’s home page, scroll down, and click on the right side section of the screen.

Link to the Newsletter:   SGAUS Times Summer 2020 – Newsletter

Members, don’t forget to Sign-in for access to all the web site features.

What’s Coming up and What’s Hot!!

MEMS

The 2021 MEMS Student Guide document has been updated and published. Please look under the MEMS Academy tab.

2020 Annual Conference Cancelled due to COVID Lockdowns – New Date is September 22-26 2021 in the same venue below.

We will have a ZOOM style Board Meeting on 19 Dec 2020

The 2021 SGAUS Annual Conference will take place in the beautiful state of California at the Wyndham, Irvine – Orange County Airport, California.

 

 

Online store Update

Members!  SGAUS Store update:  We still are experiencing some disruption in the supply chain from the manufacturers to our suppliers for some of our fastest flowing items like MEMS badges. All of these companies have them made in China. We should be caught up with the next replenishment order.  I’ll let you know. So please be patient this is beyond our control.  We’ll get you your items. Thank you.  BG Santiago

NEW:  The COVID-19 Points of Dispensing (POD) Operations course is now available for everyone (member or not) in the online SGAUS PME Academy.

You, or anyone, can reach the PME Academy from within this web site or directly at:

https://PME.sgaus.org

For non-members, please let them know they can access the course by logging in as “Guest”. The only limitation as “Guest” is that there s no completion certificate (don’t know the name of the person).

SGAUS Leadership and Committee Chairs Contact Info Page

A new page with email address information for SGAUS leadership and Committee Chairs was published to replace the previous.

Two new pages will be added to the “References” section. One as a page with links to services and information useful to US Armed Forces veterans. The other page will contain links to external resources and content for senior citizens. We’ll announce when the pages are published.

Thank you,

Chago Santiago, BG (TN)

Executive Director

 

Attention! ROTHCO Products Now in the SGAUS Store

SGAUS has partnered with Rothco, the world’s foremost supplier of military, tactical, outdoor clothing and gear.  We have increased our store offerings from 68 to 1,375 items.  Check us out at the SGAUS and/or Rothco store.

Founded in 1953, Rothco has provided the military clothing and outdoor retailer with top quality merchandise.  Today Rothco serves over 10,000 dealers globally.  While Rothco’s heritage is rooted in authentic military apparel and gear, Rothco also serves the Tactical, Public Safety, Survival & Preparedness, Outdoor & Camping, and Government Suppliers.

You must be a member of SGAUS to access the Rothco store though the SGAUS website.  Price compare our products online, and you will see that our sales prices are below the retail prices of others.

Another value added service is provided to you as a member of SGAUS.  Thank you for your support and your service in your State Defense Force.

Board of Directors, State Guard Association of the United States.

The National Association For Search And Rescue (NASAR) has been in existence since 1972. Originally started to represent the State Search and Rescue Coordinators, NASAR grew to represent all SAR volunteers and continues to support the State Search And Rescue Coordinators Committee (SSARCC). NASAR uses standards developed by ASTM, NFPA, DHS, FEMA, and other respected bodies to build education courseware, publications, and certifications. Government agencies and non-profit Search And Rescue Teams use NASAR’s material and certifications to build credentialing programs for their organizations and produce highly skilled searchers that work within their communities and are available for mutual aid regionally and nationally. NASAR is a Virginia Non-Profit and Federal 501(C)3 which welcomes your donations to assist us in training searchers for your community.

You may contact us at:

PO Box 232020
Centreville, VA 20120-2020
(877)-893-0702
info@nasar.org

 

Washington State Guard Soldiers are the Tip of the Spear in Cyber Warfare

by PFC John Sauer

“Cyber Shield is an opportunity for our Guardsmen to work with professionals from other states,” said Col. Curt Simonson, commander, 56th Theater Information Operations Group. “These cyber experts are the tip of the spear in the new front of cyber warfare.”

 By working closely with interagency partners and the private sector, the National Guard seeks to strengthen network cybersecurity and the capability to support local responses to cyber incidents. Cyber Shield 17 is part of the National Guard’s ongoing effort to improve their ability to respond to real-world cyber incidents. This is the sixth iteration of this training exercise.

Washington participants included members from Joint Force Headquarters, the 56th Theater Information Operations Group and the Washington State Guard.

 “Cyber Shield 2017 has been an amazing opportunity for our Washington guardsmen,” said Lt. Col. Charles Randolph, commander, 156th Information Operations Battalion. “This year’s exercise had particular focus around issues such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Our cyber soldiers were able to gain exposure to and mitigate risks involving these issues, which could have severe effects to any state and the country.”

 In cooperation with the U.S. Army Reserve, Cyber Shield is designed to conduct Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), training, and assessment for Defensive Cyber Operations Elements (DCO-Es), Cybersecurity detachments or cells, and Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs).

 Divided into two phases, the first week offers participants the opportunity to hone their skills through academic instruction covering everything from the legal aspects of cyber operations to the nature of cyber threats to hands-on technical training. Equally important, the soldiers and airmen are learning their roles as part of the larger cyberspace defense community.

 During the second phase of Cyber Shield, exercise participants from cyber protection teams face off against trained antagonists, who simulate online adversaries. The teams try to defend their networks and mitigate the effects of attacks in a free-wheeling clash of cyberspace acumen.

 The National Guard’s dual state-federal character makes it uniquely positioned to help civilian agencies and critical nongovernmental entities, such as public utilities, if an incident occurs. Because of their status as a state military force when not under federal mobilization orders, Guard units are available to respond to state-level emergencies at their governor’s discretion. The Washington State Guard fills a similar role with their status as a state military force.

 “I’m extremely proud of the efforts from a combined force of both army and state guard personnel,” said Randolph. “Their skillsets, teamwork and professionalism were second to none.”

 

Washington State Guard Soldiers: 1LT Russ McRee and SGT

Andrew Baze with 156 IO BN CDR LTC Charles Randolph. LTC Randolph, 1LT McRee and SGT Baze work for Microsoft. The team brings the Industry partner expertise to Cyber Shield.

[Camp Murray, Washington] Recently two soldiers from the Washington State Guard’s Cyber Unit joined more than 800 other cyber experts at Camp Williams, Utah, for the National Guard’s premier cyber defense training event: Exercise Cyber Shield 17..

Cyber Shield is designed to assess participants’ ability to respond to cyber incidents. The yearly exercise includes members of the National Guard from 44 states, the Army Reserve, state and federal

The Virginia National Guard has approximately 200 personnel staged and ready Jan. 7, 2017, at guard readiness centers through the Hampton Roads area.

Some soldiers and vehicles are prepositioned at firehouses and other emergency services facilities in the region in order to quickly deploy if needed as part of the state’s multi-agency response.

“I am incredibly proud of how quickly our forces were able to stage Friday night in order to be ready for possible missions Saturday morning, and most importantly they did it safely,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia. “Our state and local partners count on us to provide the capabilities they need in order to help the citizens of the commonwealth when faced with hazardous weather situations, and once again our soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force troopers have demonstrated we are able to rapidly respond when we are needed. Our forces are standing by to assist local first responders in keep our fellow Virginians safe.”

Expected missions for the guard include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter. Soldiers are also organized into debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed.

Additional soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force troopers are on duty in Sandston and Fort Pickett providing mission command, sustainment, incident management assistance and public information support.

Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency Jan. 6, 2017, and urged residents of the commonwealth to prepare for impacts from a winter storm system, which potentially could result in significant snow accumulation, hazardous road conditions and high winds. This order authorizes state agencies to assist local governments in responding to this major winter storm that is expected to impact the commonwealth through the weekend.