Alabama Volunteers November Newsletter

PRO BONO PUBLICIO (For the Good of the Public)

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

The

Volume 1 • Issue 2 November 2015

A VIEWFROM

THE TOP

By BG (AV) Dale WebbALVOL Commander

When you are at the top you can easily sit back and look at how things progressed t h r o u g h o u t the year...and

sometimes your mind simply wonders whether or not you are now at the exact place you wanted to be, when you first made your resolutions at the start of the year. Sometime you simply wonder if you “could have”, “would have”, “should have”..but then it all gently slides away because the “NOW” timing slips in and takes over. In this case, the NOW is the force multiplier mission yet before us. Disasters are going to happen..We need to be ready!

We are growing...people are starting to recognize our commitment...our strategy...our dedication and desire to help when ever, where ever, needed. We are moving forward. But, it takes more than mere putting on the uniform and saying “wow”!!..”this fits good”! You have to WANT to wear the uniform, and WANT to be given added responsibility, and WANT to take that extra step to “reach out and touch”, no matter the price. Serve in that food line...hand out bottle water and hot meals...man that shelter..work the security in that parking lot...help that law enforcement officer at that traffic point... go on SAR missions...drive that elderly accident or hurricane victim to the nearest triage or hospital. Lay wreaths on grave sites...participate in community functions. Attend your Brigade drills and functions. Do whatever it takes!!...and be PROUD to be a

COntinueD On PAGe 4

ATTEnTIOn: DECEMBER MAnDATORY MEETInG CAnCELLEDThe December 5 mandatory meeting that was to be at the Oxford Civic Center has been

cancelled. This meeting has been rescheduled for January at a place and time to be determined. Watch for details in the next newsletter. Everybody have a safe holiday

and stay alert in case we are called out for an emergency.

DAteLine ALVOL, 5nOV15, MARY BReeDinG, DeP PA0

Sometimes a card player has to go through the

whole deck before actually finding an “Ace”. Not so for this reporter who, during an event at Post 294 American Legion, Powder Springs Ga., happened by chance to meet the daughter of one of the Auxiliary members who was one of the survivors of the Katrina Hurricane aftermath, and, who actually recalled the help given to her community by members of our former Alabama State Defense Force Team, led by then Colonel (ASDF) Michael Carson who later retired.

“They really helped our community

(The Mid-City Area) a lot during evacuations”. “We first thought they were the National Guard because of their uniforms, voiced 45 Year old Tammy Cook, a former resident of the Mid-City Area of New Orleans, but

we noticed that their nametags said something else”. We didn’t care, we just wanted to get out of the water and to some place dry.” Tammy was really surprised, as was I, when she learned that the “ASDF” on their uniforms in fact stood for “Alabama State Defense Force”, the former name of our present unit, the ‘Alabama Volunteers” , and, that she was talking to a former ASDF member

Colonel (ASDF) Carson, and a team of four ASDF members were called to Louisiana during Hurricane “Katrina” to help with evacuation of residents, and to check houses for survivors.Former Mid-City resident tammy Cook

COL (ASDF) Carson

Katrina Survivor recognizes former ASDF members during American Legion visit

Police: Truck tailgates stolen, resold online in Houston, TexasBy Sonia Azad

Thieves are targeting pickup truck tailgates in one Cypress neighborhood near 290 and Huffmeister.

“I’ve seen at least 10 trucks coming through the neighborhood without tailgates,” said Clayton Kemp. “People see me with no tailgate and they’ll be like, ‘Hey (did) you get your tailgate stolen, too? I’m like, yup. And, the police officer said it’s been happening a lot.”

The most commonly stolen tailgates are coming off of Ford F250s and F350s.

“Especially the ones with backup cameras in them,” said Lt. Wayne

Schultz, from Harris County Pct 4 Constable’s Office.

The tailgates range from $1,000 to $2,500 and are resold for nearly as much.

“They’re almost paying market price or retail price for them when they buy them on Craigslist because it’s such a popular item.”

In a recent case, one man found his stolen tailgate on Craigslist, acted like a buyer and demanded it back from the crook.

“I went on Craigslist everyday for a month and a half to try to find it because I figured that’s what they would do,” said Kemp, who never

found his stolen tailgate. Neither did Ted Bosserman. But,

officers are onto this kind of scam. “A gentleman was calling himself

Mr. Tailgate,” said Lt. Schultz. “He was going on Craigslist, luring people to his home where he had a bunch of tailgates. We ended up catching that gentleman and recovering over 40 tailgates in his garage.”

Officers recommend parking in well lit areas, backing into your driveway if your truck is too big for your garage and putting screws in your tailgate to lock it down.

A L A B A M A V O L U N T E E R S • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 3


A L A B A M A V O L U N T E E R S • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 52



















Thank you First Brigade for your service!! I know some of you still have not yet secured your uniform

and personal equipment, and that hinders your participation in many activities tasked the “First” by HQ.

We are looking forward to cooperative efforts from each of you throughout the winter months, and the holiday season. That means attending our scheduled drill/

meetings, participating in activities within your own communities, and just being a “good neighbor” to everyone...even if it’s only to “jump-start” a neighbor’s dead car battery.

And..don’t forget to take a photograph or two when the opportunity presents itself. “WE ARE THE MIGHTY “FIRST”..and we need to remember that at all times during training...during winter hazard moments..and during the holiday season. Welcome aboard new members...and thank you for your interest in the “FIRST”!

nEWS FROM THE ALVOL

HQ G2 STAFFCOL (AV) RiCh KAniA

HQ G1 STAFFCOL (AV) ROYCe MetCALFe

Just wanted to remind the brigades that if you have not yet done so, please appoint an Intelligence Officer or NCO,

and give me contact information. I also want to personally thank everyone for your deep cooperation

and sense of responsibility toward meeting our mission requirements. Have a really GREAT holiday season, and

keep focused on climatic changes and weather events. We just might ALL be needed before the end of the year.

Thank you every body for your aggressive recruiting efforts. We are

indeed growing because of the increased number of personnel packages I’ve sent out. If only half of them actually respond positively

we would see our overall numbers

increase drastically. Keep up the good work, attend your Brigade and HQ Staff training/meetings, and stay focused during the next few winter months. Enroll in FEMA courses and forward your course completion certificates through your unit training officer. Unless a disaster strikes first, I hope to see you all early next year, after the Holiday Season.

Hello everyone from the 3rd Bde and the 304th Bn. It is once again time for highlights and updates.

We consider this time of year,

3 OCT thru 15 NOV, our prime recruiting season. Even though recruiting is more difficult now because our current situation and the fact that we have not had a decent disaster in a number of years (as you know recruits come out of the woodwork immediatley after one) we have still developed several strong prospects so far.

The 3 OCT Claybank Festival effort yeilded three individuals with more than the average amount of interest, one of whom is a retired National Guard communications NCO. I hope to see him at our November drill.

The Pike County Fair ran from 6 OCT thru 10 OCT and the AAR is not in yet but my hope is that it will be as good a result as last year.

The Covington County event on 17 OCT was a late entry into our schedule and was an NCO driven effort. This will be followed up with a presentation to the Covington Co. EMA Director outlining our capabilities. I look forwared to breaking some new ground in the Andalusia area, a great place for a new Bn to extend our reach across the state.This past Saturday, 24 OCT, we

had two big events. The marraige of my daughter in Montgomery and the 304th Bn participation in the W4DHN tailgate event in Headland, AL. This is a yearly gathering of HAM radio folks from all over southeast Al.

Coming up on 31 OCT is my personal favorite event, the Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge, Al.Moving in to November we are involved in the National Peanut Festival in Dothan. At this event we will once again be providing the NPF officials with some additional security/safety presence in addition to our most intense recruiting effort

of the year. This year the Festival runs from 6 NOV thru 15 NOV.

On the training side the 304th continues on its quest to establish a viable deployable Emergency Communications Net. To this end recent months focus has been on training members for their HAM licensing tests. The focus has now shifted instruction on setting up and operating the NET. September drill covered the basics of emergency messaging and format. In October we conducted a Simulated Emergency Test (SET) which is a widely recognized training tool. The next step, for the November

drill, will be a meeting with one or more of the local HAM radio experts in an effort to to set up all of our operators equipment to make sure that everything is synchronized, all having the ability to communicate on the same frequencies, and have interoperability and compatibility.

The December drill is scheduled to be a communications FTX in which we will atempt to utilize the entire county. This is still in the final planning stage which will be finalized at our November drill.

Subsequent to the passing of LTC(AV) Marsh, who was also the Dale County EMA Director, we have been including our new EMA Director in our training as his schedule permits. This should develope into a very good working relationship.

That pretty much sums things up from the 3rd Bde. I am sure that at the end of this someone has a Christmas party planned as well.

I look forward to bigger and better thing next year. I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season.

FIRST bRIGAdeCOL(AV) PRuett

THIRd bRIGAdeCOL(AV) W. J. MAY

LtC(AV) Williams welcoming new Dale Co. eMA Director Kurt McDaniel.

Just want to pass along my thanks for a wonderful year, with a group of wonderful people. The Alabama

Volunteers..both older and new members.. are easy to work with, and passionate about your commitments.

We hope that these upcoming winter months wont diminish that passion while we focus our attention to serving others as the need arises. “Keep a stiff upper lip” while you traverse the holiday season, and please...”Don’t break anything”!!...so that I won’t have to be called out, ..and can also enjoy the festive season.

HQ STAFF IT GURUCPt(AV) CLARK F. FRenCh, G-6

It’s that time again when 2nd Brigade gets to brag about the last few months of activities. With the results of the HQ

Recruiting Department’s efforts to reach out to the various communities, 2nd Brigade personnel were able to establish a recruiting tent at Decatur, Weaver, Hokes Bluff and Leeds. It further assisted by manning a recruiting tent in Oxford during the Oxfordfest, and in Anniston during the Annual Gun Show at the Community Center. These combined efforts produced over 130 names of personnel who wanted to know more about the Alabama Volunteers. At this time I am still making contact, and, inviting them to our drills.

We are having difficulty finding a suitable training site in the Birmingham area, but for now we will be meeting at the Jacksonville Community Center, 501 Alexandria Rd SW, Jacksonville, AL 36265. The facility has a room with a small covered porch for use during inclement weather, and, adjoining soccer fields when needed to conduct large area training. We are also talking with the City of Jacksonville Fire Department to use their training area, a block away, with buildings to expand the options of training events.

Our first drill in many months was at 0900, 17 Oct, at the Jacksonville Community Center. I was disappointed when only 10% of 2nd Brigade personnel participated; 90% were either excused or unexcused. I hope the next drill on 14 Nov at 0900, at the Jacksonville Community Center, will have a much higher attendance.

At the Oct drill, CSM(AV) Charles Bonasera, HQ AL VOL CSM, was in attendance and was able to speak to several new recruits about the AL VOL.

We will begin CERT training in January 2016 not only for AL VOL members but also open to the general public. Upon completion of the training, CERT certificates will be issued by the Calhoun County EMA. This will be an excellent opportunity for the AL VOL to interface and

tell the AL VOL’s story. The CERT instructors will come not only from the AL VOL community but also from the CERT Instructor pool in Calhoun County. Plans for the CERT training dates and times are being finalized and will be published sometime in Dec.

To enjoy some level of privacy 2nd Brigade has established P.O. Box 1354, Weaver, AL 36277, to avoid having so much mail come to my home address, and, to avoid giving out my home address all the time.

The Oct drill did not go without an opportunity for the AL VOL to serve the community. During our 1145 lunch break several members were driving south in front of the Dollar General Store on AL 21, when we noticed a young lady getting out of her car and collapse on the roadway. I stopped my vehicle and immediately went to aid the young lady. The other members in the vehicles – SFC(AV) Ed Bennett and CPT(AV) Clark French - immediately began directing traffic safely around the stopped vehicle.

I was able to help the young lady stand up, and, assisted her with walking to the side of the roadway to wait for medical care. CSM(AV) Charles Bonasera aided by keeping people back from crowding the injured young lady. I then administrated First Aid by direct pressure to the laceration on her head, and continued talking with her because she obviously was scared and in a high state of shock. I used my cell phone to make calls to her family members to let them know of the incident. The young lady held onto my hand during the entire time, even when medical care was administrated by the EMT’s after they arrived.

At the end of our drill period ..around 1430.. I stopped by the Jacksonville RMC ER to check status of the young lady... 18 years old Kate Carter... and learned that she had received 21 staples to close the wound to her head.

Needlessly to say she was appreciative of our actions. I also received several text messages from Matt Carter, her brother, and Kim

Graves, her mother stating how grateful they were that we were there to assist and render aid.

In order to develop unit members with a general understanding of their duties, and, how to interface with the responder community, I have developed a list of some basic FEMA IS courses to achieve this goal. These courses can be found at www.training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx

Second bRIGAdeCOL (AV) ROBeRt “JOhn” CLARK

COL(AV) Clark and Rec(AV) Fields recruiting at Decatur, AL - 15 Aug 2015

COL(AV) Clark recruiting at Weaver, AL -12 Sep 2015

COL(AV) Clark and Rec(AV) Fields recruiting at hokes Bluff, AL – 27 Sep 2015okes Bluffh

SFC(AV) Bennett, CSM(AV) Bonasera, Rec(AV) Fields

Rec(AV) Magaw - 2nd Bde, Oct 17, 2015 drill at the Jacksonville Community Center






















Al Vol members listen to a briefing given by COL(AV) Clark at the

Jacksonville Community Center

COL(AV) Kania, hQ, AL VOL G2; COL(AV) Clark, 2nd Bde Cdr - 2nd Bde, Oct 17, 2015 drill

at the Jacksonville Community Center

Today we attended a fellowship “Thank you Veterans” program and dinner, complete with a local high

school JROTC Cadets Battalion posting the Colors, and acting as servers during the dinner. Special

dinner music was performed by “The Reminiscents”, a two piece ladies musical group who dressed, and sang, pre-world war II, and Vietnam

era songs. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”, “Swan nee River in Ragtime”, “Bill Baily”, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree

With Anyone Else But Me”, and other oldies echoed throughout the dining room, until the theme music presentation of the five Branches of Military Service, wherein one retiree stood when three of the five service branch music played. I was amazed; later I interviewed him and learned

that he is U.S. Navy military retiree “Chief” L.G. Harmon, who actually served in three of the five military branches during his 20 year stint.

He enlisted first in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, then crossed over to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

After a short while, he made his third cross over into the U.S. Navy and in year 1966 served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Constellation

while in Viet Nam, and later was assigned to Navy Recruiting duty while stationed on Gunter Air Force Base, in Montgomery Alabama. “Chief” Harmon thereafter completed 20 years cumulative active service before retiring on 10 Nov 1970.

Navy Chief Harmon jokingly said that he almost joined the U.S. Coast Guard as well, but circumstances prevented it. A special “Thank You” to Navy Chief Harmon for his service and dedication to duty.






















The time has now come in America for Christians to take a bold, uncompromising stand for the

Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The recent Supreme Court rulings, the relentless attacks on Christian business owners by radicals - along with the suppression of religious rights on all fronts - have created a toxic, hostile environment for believers” as stated by Franklin Graham in his article “It’s Time

To Take A Stand”, published in the October issue of “Decision” magazine. During the next few months it will be fairly easy to lose focus on the things that are good, and right, in the eyes of the Lord, because holiday merriment will try our mind set and spirit. We are

thankful for the winter months and the spirit filled holidays, but for the ALVOL may we remember that our mission is also to serve and assist. We need to stay ready to do both! Happy Holidays to all of you!

cHAPLAIn’S coRneRCOL (AV) JOHN A EIDSMOE • CHApLAIN HQ

HQ STAFF dePUTY PAoMAJ (AV) MARY BReeDinG

A VIEW FROM THE TOP COntinueD FROM PAGe 1member of the Alabama Volunteers.

So, at this time I personally want to thank all members...absolutely nothing could be done without YOUR efforts. It would be a GOOD thing if this year we could all sit down

at a holiday dinner together, and simply enjoy each other’s company at a local restaurant somewhere...and toast the year that was. We tried this in year’s past...THIS year, it could work. (Somebody look into this for

me). Meanwhile, thank you all for

being members of our team..all of you...and the wives and husbands you left behind. We are family...and we NEED each other to continue to

exist. Stay ready! ...stay prepared! Help each other!! Make sure your supervisor knows how to reach you - and most of all, HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

I want to remind everyone that we still have a force multiplier mission to perform, and we still need to focus on that, as well as

the winter months, and the holiday season. We need to maintain our position of readiness and availability to help when needed. If someone

don’t yet have the appropriate uniform, then we need to support that individual, and if necessary, give him/her anything “extra” that we have, to help them get their uniform ready. We all need to “look sharp”, and “be sharp”, so that the onlookers can say “I want to be a part of that!”. Remember, it may be good at YOUR house, but it’s not good at everyone’s house. Help

out where you can!! Also, don’t let your guard down during these upcoming winter months..on the contrary, we need to stay prepared in case we do get called out. And, we need to be ready to do some additional volunteering with some of the mainstay organizations during the holiday season...The Salvation Army...and others. I encourage all of you to not forget our mission...

not forget that we are here to assist...to help...to volunteer our service anywhere it’s needed. Your Brigade, and HQ Staff, will still hold monthly meetings during these wintry holiday months...We all need to set aside time to attend, because YOUR NAME just might be at the top of the list when and if the Volunteers are called out. Happy Holidays!!

cSM HQ STAFFCSM(AV) CHARLES BONESARA • SENIOR COMMAND SERGEANT

JROtC Cadets posting the colors.

Female singing duo “the Reminiscents”.

Retired navy Chief LG harmon and a JROtC Cadet serving him a drink of ice tea.

Recruiting is going as well as can be hoped for at this time. Potential candidates are calling and emailing. A

few even wrote to our mail box in Fruithurst, and inquired whether or not they could come aboard as instructors only, and not be tied down to having to actually come to drill meeting unless they are training meetings. NOTE: For the record, and, for response to future Inquiries of a similar nature:... Absolutely!!.. We welcome training instructors, especially those knowledgeable of military operations and FEMA

specialized training. Our specialized site: http://

mi l i t a ry t imes . sa rges l i s t . com/index.php?a=2&b=12167765 has received over 1500 hits, and goes to all military bases throughout the United States, and overseas. After accessing the site, click on the objects (logo, photos, and letter) and they will enlarge themselves. Inquiries have come in from many persons who enlisted in Alabama and are about to return to the State in civilian status.

We have contacted numerous organizations, clubs, and units throughout the State in regards to partnering with them in several endeavors. To a person, they all opted favorably in their responses. However, several still have not yet responded. We hope our efforts at Auburn University will result in favorable partnering with their Student Athlete Council. It would, however, mean volunteering in uniform at many of their athletic functions. The Salvation Army has already accepted a partnership request, and their response has already been forwarded to our Commanding General for his thoughts. Our thinking is that any place we can partner, and appear in uniform, will be favorable to our recruiting efforts.

Our listing of approved locations to set up recruiting booths is diminishing for the remainder of this year. We are no longer seeking

opportunities for 2015, but are pursuing possibilities for February 2016 and later on. Thank you all for your help and dedication for the places on the existing listing that you did go to see about signing potentials. Sometimes it isn’t easy...sometimes it’s just necessary to get their names and address, and to keep sending them information at home to let them think about it a bit.. In most instances, that will be enough...just keep those cards and letters coming folks!

Many things are in the works right now, but we wont mention them here so that we wont get egg on our face should they fail to develop. They are all good things...things that hopefully will bring in additional recruits, and, encourage the members we now have.

Finally, we want to encourage everyone....everyone !! to recruit when ever... where ever... who ever... you can. Visit community happenings...visit church and religious functions...veteran’s dinners and functions... talk up the AlVol! Take photos! Send them to us so we can use them on recruiting brochures, in our newsletter, and on line in a number of places. Listen to the radio stations In your area....we have five radio stations who agreed to broadcast our community service recruiting blurb (no cost to AlVol).

If you have problems dealing with potential recruits, route them to one of the Brigade Commanders, or to someone who has been with the organization a lengthy time....failing that, have them email us at [email protected], and we

will pursue that prospect. EACH OF US need to be recruiters....tell them WHY we need them...tell them HOW they can help!....Don’t let them off the hook...smile (and remember, wear your uniform to functions when ever you can...it will

cause people to come up to you to “thank you for your service”, and that will be your opportunity to tell them that you are NOT military, and will present an opportunity to tell them about the Al VOL. Take extra business cards with you, and/or give them the address or email of your Brigade Supervisors, or, the email of the recruiting Department.).

So, until next time.....






















UPCOMInG BRIGADE DRILL SCHEDULE tentAtiVe

UPCOMInG RECRUITInG OPPORTUnITIES

the nix family, (Michael, Brittany, and little Levi, age 2). We can easily see where Little Levi got his award-winning smile from.. the

nix family stopped by our Alabama Volunteers Recruiting Booth during the Anniston Gun Show in Anniston on Saturday 17 Oct 15, and signed up for further talks about becoming a member of the Alabama Volunteers. the Anniston Gun

Show was held at the Community Meeting Center on noble Street in downtown Anniston.

MAJ (AV) Mary Breeding, during our recruiting stint at the GASDen hAMFeSt held in Atalla

Alabama, and Mrs hudson, a potential recruit. her husband, Mr hudson is a former military member and he too might decide to come aboard with the Alabama Volunteers.

HQ STAFF RecRUITInGMAJ (AV) MARY BReeDinG

First BrigadeDecember 19, 2015January 16, 2016February 20, 216

Some dates might change. Location to be announced.

Second BrigadeTo be announced.

Mobile (Fairgrounds) Gunshow 21 nov Birmingham (Civic Center) Gunshow 28 nov huntsville (Cahaba Shrine temple) Gunshow 19 Dec

third BrigadeDecember 12, 2015January 9, 2016Time: 0900Location: EMA Office, Ozark, AL

NOTE: There are 4 others that are awaiting approval for 2015. Schedule for 2016 will be published in next edition of the newsletter. There won’t be any for the month of January 2016. If you have other things to do on the above dates, please don’t accept the recruiting assignment. Just remember, these assignments are in YOUR brigade area of responsibility, and to disregard either of them means that your opportunity to recruit additional members for YOUR brigade diminishes.

SITREPSITUATION REPORT

U.S. military authorities prepare to hang Dr. Klaus Karl Schilling, 74, at Landsberg, Germany, on May 28, 1946. In a Dachau war crimes trial he was convicted of using 1,200 con-centration camp prisoners for ma-laria experimentation. Thirty died directly from the inoculations and 300 to 400 died later from compli-cations of the disease. His experi-ments, all with unwilling subjects, began in 1942.

South Vietnam, December, 1967: Pfc. Orville Painter, 22, of Modesto, Ca-lif., leans out of his bunker at Ka Tum, 50 miles northwest of Sai-gon, to hang his Christmas stocking. He jokingly pointed to the sky and said, “Santa Claus will assault from there.” Painter is with C Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.

Munich, West Germany, November, 1951: If this car had failed to move right away when a traffic signal turned green, chances are that few drivers behind it would have dared to lean on the horn. Its passengers, as the five-star plate suggests, in-cluded SHAPE commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was leaving a U.S. military facility after a Thanks-giving visit to the troops.






















NATURAL DISASTERSFOR ALL ALABAMA VOLUNTEERS TO BE READY FOR






















EARTHQUAKES

LANDSLIDES

TORNADOES

WINTER STORMS

EXTREME HEAT

SEVERE WEATHER

TSUNAMI

FLOODS

SPACE WEATHER

VOLCANOES(Maybe not so much)

DROUGHT

HURRICANES

THUNDERSTORMS & LIGHTNING

WILDFIRES

Natural disasters such as flood, fire, earthquake, tornado and windstorm affect thousands of people every year. You should know what your risks are and prepare to protect yourself, your family and community.

Recognizing an impending hazard and knowing what to do to protect yourself and your family will help you take effective steps to prepare beforehand and aid recovery after the event.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a family emergency plan, are the same for all types of hazards.






















OUT AnD ABOUT






















OUT AnD ABOUT

The law states that in order for a prescribed burn to have liability protection; it must be supervised by a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager.

1975 Code of Alabama, Section 9.13.270, and Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 390.X.6, state that the requirements for obtaining certification as a Prescribed Burn Manager will consist of the following:

“Completion of a training course approved by the Alabama Forestry Commission.”

Certification Process

A training program has been established to meet the requirements of the Prescribed Burning Act. The Burn Manager Certification

Course, covering 32 hours, will include discussion of fire behavior, burning methods, safety, planning, smoke screening and Alabama fire laws. Courses are offered annually across the state. For a list of training sessions, see Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Training. It is also suggested that participants complete a Fire Behavior Course, which can be done as a self-study class, prior to the Burn Manager Training Course. A recommended program can be found through this link: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/fire/.

Training equivalent to the courses sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission will be accepted as meeting the requirement for certification. Chapter 390.X.6.02 of the Alabama Administrative Code

states that the determination as to the acceptability of any particular training will be made by the Alabama Forestry Commission or its designee.

To receive initial certification, burners should submit an Application for Prescribed Burn Manager Certification along with proof of training and a non-refundable $50 certification fee. Please send applications to:

Alabama Forest CommissionAttn: Prescribed Burn Certification

ProgramP O Box 302550Montgomery AL 36130-2550

Please note: Burners who paid $125 to attend an AFC-sponsored certification course and are applying

following successful completion of that course do not have to pay an additional $50 application fee when submitting the application for certification. The completed application and proof of training are all that is required for those burners.

Certification Term

The Prescribed Burn Manager Certification will have a 5 year term, requiring renewal every five years. Each Certified Prescribed Burn Manager must, over that five year period, earn six (6) hours of continuing education directly pertaining to prescribed burning. For more information on recertification see Prescribe Burn Manager Re-certification.

For more information contact Marti Davis.






















Military Families Have Until January to Update DEERS Info or Pay Fines

Alabama Forestry Commission Prescribed Burn Certification

By Amy Bushatz Military.com

About 430,000 military households that are missing Social Security numbers in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System could be forced to pay fines to the Internal Revenue Service if they don’t update their information by January.

Troops were notified about the missing information through letters sent by DEERS starting Aug. 13. Social Security numbers are either missing or unverified for about 484,000 military dependents, Defense Department officials said.

The Pentagon is required to report healthcare coverage given to service members and their dependents as part of the Affordable Care Act beginning this year. But to do so, they need to have each dependent’s SSN verified in the system, the letter said.

“The IRS will collect fees from individuals who don’t have minimum essential coverage,” it states. “Tricare verifies and reports

minimal essential coverage status based on DEERS records.”

Social Security numbers are not required for DEERS registration. For example, military child dependents often do not have their Social Security numbers in DEERS because their parents register them in the system as infants before the card is issued. Parents must return to DEERS later with the Social Security number to update the system -- a task that is often overlooked.

Fees for not holding the required minimum health care coverage depend on income and household size.

All Tricare enrolled active-duty service members and retirees meet the coverage minimums, provided all their dependents’ Social Security numbers are up-to-date in DEERS. Those covered under purchased Reserve Select, Reserve Retiree and Tricare Young Adult also meet the requirement.

But some Tricare users don’t meet the minimum coverage requirement and will face fines if they do not

purchase additional coverage. Guard members and reservists who are receiving Tricare-provided line of duty care for an injury received during service do not meet the minimum through Tricare alone. Also, some dependent parents and parents-in-law receive Tricare as part of the Tricare Plus program, which allows them to use some military treatment facilities, but does not meet the minimum coverage requirements.

Tricare beneficiaries who had minimum essential coverage for any part of 2015 will be sent IRS Form 1095-C or 1095-B by Jan. 31, 2016, which will be needed to complete their 2015 tax returns, officials said.

Troops’ mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and the name and birth dates of dependents can be confirmed online. Social Security numbers must be added or verified in person at a military ID office. Military spouses can update the information in DEERS on their service members’ behalf if they have a valid special Power of Attorney.

Lexophile” is a word used to describe those that have a love for words, such as “you can tune

a piano, but you can’t tuna fish”, or “to write with a broken pencil is pointless.” A competition to see who can come up with the best lexophiles is held every year in an undisclosed location. This year’s winning submission is posted at the very end.

• When fish are in schools, they

sometimes take debate.

• A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

• When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A.

• The batteries were given out free of charge.

• A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

• A will is a dead giveaway.

• With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

• A boiled egg is hard to beat.

• When you’ve seen one shopping

center you’ve seen a mall.

• Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

• Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He’s all right now.

• A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired.

• When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

• The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

• He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

• When she saw her first strands of grey hair she thought she’d dye.

• Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of it.

And the cream of the twisted crop:• Those who get too big for their

pants will be totally exposed in the end.

ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN

YOU CAN; IT’S CHEAP MEDICINE!

- Author Unknown






















LOCAL VOLunteeR OPPORtunitieSMONTGOMERY BIRMINGHAM

Service Dogs of AlabamaService Dogs Alabama is a nonprofit organization providing trained Service Dogs to children and veterans with disabilities in Alabama. Their mission is to rescue dogs from shelters, train them in prisons while helping to rehabilitate inmates and provide the trained service dogs to children and veterans with disabilities and facilities who serve children and veterans.

Service Dogs Alabama relies on kind-hearted animal lovers to assist in the raising, training, socializing and transporting of its service dogs.

AREAS OF NEED:• Computer Assistants to enter data on Excel and work with QuickBooks• Transporters to transport puppies between shelters and foster homes• Puppy Raisers to raise and socialize the puppies• All service and school dogs are given to recipients FREE OF CHARGE.

help Develop Young CitizensSeeking adult volunteers across the country to serve as staff for local cadet units. Staff will lead units of about 30 youth, teaching basic military knowledge. Civilian volunteers will be trained to become as effective as current or prior service members and all interested should contact us for more information.

WHEN: Through December 31, 2015WHO: Army Cadets of AmericaWHERE: Local unit, , Montgomery, AL 36103, USACONTACT: 1st Lt Crystal Ivey • [email protected] AGE: 18IMPACT: Children & Youth Education

MLK Day of ServiceWe will be working on various projects including graffiti removal, and rebuilding a bench.

WHEN: Jan 19, 2015 8:05 AM - 6:00 PMWHO: Norwood Neighborhood AssociationWHERE: Norwood Community Center, 1330 28th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35234, USACONTACT: Mary Jean LaMay, 205.401.2032, [email protected] AGE: 15IMPACT: Civic & Community

Dash Away 5K and Jingle Bell JunctionWe will be working on various projects including graffiti removal, and rebuilding a bench.

WHEN: December 19, 2015WHO: Camp Fire AlabamaCONTACT: Sarah Hendren • [email protected]

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help with our Dash Away 5K and Jingle Bell Junction on Saturday, December 19th! As the name suggests, this combo event will include a 5K run alongside a family-fun event (including food, drinks, pictures with Santa, vendor opportunities, crafts, games, etc.). We’ll also have a Frosty Fun Run (1-mile) and a Holly Jolly Hundred (100-yard dash for kids ages 6 and under)! For volunteers working the day of the event (from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.), they will receive a t-shirt, breakfast, and lunch. Other opportunities include set-up the day before on December 18th, clean-up after 2 p.m. on the 19th, and various opportunities prior to the event.

3 CLICKS TO THE RIGHT COL (AV) Ray Breeding

editor






















10 qUESTIOnS FORCOL (AV) Rich Kania

Rich Kania1. What do you do for a living?I’m a professor of criminal justice at Jacksonville State University.

2. Besides the AlVOL, what do you do in your spare time?Collect postage stamps, army insignia and equipment, and read, both fiction and non-fiction.

3. What is your favorite memory related to the ASDF?I attended the Decatur civil war re-enactment last year to assist in security and traffic control, and enjoyed it very much.

4. Who is your favorite historical figure and why?Cardinal Richelieu of France (1585-1642). He helped create the modern political system and make France a world power in doing so. He created the modern model of competence-based bureaucracy to replace tradition of inherited positions in government. Much reviled (he is the evil cardinal in the Three Musketeers stories), he was a man well ahead of his time, who saw that the old order needed to change to adapt, but did not need to be tossed out - as happened in the French Revolution a century and half later.

5. What do you feel are the most important qualities of a leader?Competence and candor.

6. How long have you been involved with the ASDF and what inspired you to join?

Joined last year, just as the ADF was being disbanded. I was encouraged to join by General Webb, and the promise of doing something of service to the community. Also, I am a retired army officer, and enjoyed my military service, so this allows me some continuity.

7. Are you prior service and if so what was your MOS.I was an army combat engineer and followed a secondary career track as an intelligence officer.

8. What is your favorite book and why?Glory Road, by Robert Heinlein - a great sci-fi fantasy novel.

9. What was your favorite subject in school?No single subject stands out. I liked all the science courses in general. I took two biology classes, chemistry, physics and computer science, plus lots of math (but I thought math was boring).

10. What is the best advice you could give to a new recruit.Do it for the enjoyment of it; if you like being of service, you will enjoy it.






















10 qUESTIOnS FORCSM (AV) Jerald Dilge

Jerald Dilge1. What do you do for a living?

Retired from the Army 1 Dec ‘84, Retired from Southern Company (Farley Nuclear plant) as senior nuclear security officer 1 Mar 2000. Was called back to Farley to help out during refueling shutdowns in 2005-2008 for a six week work out. Called back again in 2009 to help in security again and finally left in 2011. Refused call back in 2012 cause I was RETIRED. Now just drive cars for different dealerships in Dothan. Pick up or swap (dealer trade) May work 4 days a week or 2 days a month. Just enjoying retirement.

2. Besides the AlVOL, what do you do in your spare time?Go to my girlfriends farm and get on the tractor and play in the field and woods, Hang out at the Headland airport where I fly when I can.

3. What is your favorite memory related to the ASDF?Doing damage assessments after one of the years we had heavy rain in the Dothan area.

4. Who is your favorite historical figure and why?I guess John Wayne cause he told it like it was. A real American.

5. What do you feel are the most important qualities of a leader?Be honest with the troops, lead by example. Look out for them.

6. How long have you been involved with the ASDF and what inspired you to join?About ten years now. Was recruited by a member for my past skills.

7. Are you prior service and if so what was your MOS.Army Air Traffic Control for 20 years. Retired as First Sergeant out of Fort Rucker.

8. What is your favorite book and why?Not one really stands out. I read anything to do with flying or combat in Vietnam.

9. What was your favorite subject in school?Other than girls I would say book keeping.

10. What is the best advice you could give to a new recruit.If joining, look forward to helping many of the local folks during emergencies, learn discipline, following orders, attention to details, (skills many folks never pick up on). “The camaraderie of folks in uniform.”






















THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!

www.dhs.gov

NEWSLETTER CONTENT SUBMISSIONEmail articles and photos to COL (AV) Ray Breeding at

[email protected]. Articles are intended for publicizing unit missions, activities, and events, and to highlight ALVOL

members. Please provide: Date, Time, Location and a brief description. Photos are encouraged. Photos with ALVOL

personnel should include rank and full name of the person(s). Provide a point-of-contact and phone number or email

address with any submissions.

Commanding General

Dep Commanding Gen

Chief of Staff

Director of Training

Director of Personnel

Director of Civil Affairs

Director of Supply

Legal

CSM

Chaplain

BG(AV) D. Webb

COL(AV) Wofford

COL (AV) Orr

COL (AV) Metcalf

LTC (AV) Payne

CSM (AV) Bonasera

COL(AV) J. Eidsmoe

CMDR 1st Brigade

CMDR 2nd Brigade

CMDR 3rd Brigade

COL (AV) Pruett

COL (AV) Clark

COL (AV) May

PUBLICAFFAIRSOFFICER

COL (AV) Ray Breeding

LAYOUT & DESIGNJeffrey Stone

[email protected]

ALVOL heADQuARteRS

SuBORDinAte unitS

HOT POOPNEWS YOU CAN USE

Arsenic Levels Rising in RiceIs Arsenic in Rice a Concern? Yes. There is no doubt about it, arsenic in rice is a problem. This may pose a health risk to those who eat rice every day in considerable amounts. This mainly applies to people in Asia or people with Asian-based diets. Other groups who may eat a lot of rice products include young children and those on a milk-free or gluten-free diet. Rice-based infant formulas, rice crackers, pudding and rice milk sometimes make up a large portion of these diets. Young children are especially vulnerable because of their small body size. Therefore, feeding them rice cereals every day may not be such a good idea (14, 15). Of additional concern is brown rice syrup, a rice-derived sweetener that may be high in arsenic. It is often used in baby formulas (16, 44). Of course, not all rice contains high arsenic levels, but determining the arsenic content of a particular rice product may be difficult (or impossible) without actually measuring it in a lab.

Warning from Shell Oil CompanySafety Alert! Here are some reasons why we don’t allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas. The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations. In the first case, the phone was placed on the car’s trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump. In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car! And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car. Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, etc. Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (I.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc...)

Four Rules for Safe Refueling: 1) Turn off engine 2) Don’t smoke 3) Don’t use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off 4) Don’t re-enter your vehicle during fueling.

Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of ‘static electricity’ at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas. If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.

Documents

Alabama Volunteers November Newsletter