Southern Marin Fire and Ice Ball

Southern Marin's Fire and I.C.E. Ball is coming April 3. Our post for the event is down below, but here we would like to let you know what is happening at the event:

• Jan Wahl will be the MC for the event. Local TV personalities Dana King, Ron Naso and Jim Vargas will be in attendence. Also, many local and county political persons will be there.

• The no host bar will include Marin Brewing Company beer on tap, as well as the Fire & ICE Blast. This mixed drink includes Blue Angel Vodka (all donated), cranberry juice, and lime twist. Soft drinks and water also available.

• Many generous donations of food including Marin Joe's, P.F. Changs, Poggio of Sausalito, Panda Express, Sushi Ran, Taste of Rome, and Tommy's Wok have all stepped up to make the finger foods a hit.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and will be sold at the event.

Here is a list of the raffle items:

Best Buy – 40” Dynex Flat Screen LCD TV	$1000
San Francisco Giants - 4 club level seats to one 2010 home game & autographed ‘Matt Cain’ baseball	$750
Aqua Hotel – 2 nights stay, $100 gift certificate for Angelino’s & $50 gift certificate for Buckeye	$550
1 night Casa Madrona & Chef’s dinner for 2 @ Piccolo Teatro	$500
Round of golf for 4 at Stone Tree Golf Club, Novato	$500
Autographed ‘Mike Singletary’ 49’er commemorative football	$300
KPIX Channel 5 – Tour of studio & live broadcast	$300
Gold’s Gym – 3 month membership – gift certificate	$199
San Francisco Giants – autographed ‘Orlando Cepeda’ baseball	$150
Cline Vineyards – VIP Tour, tasting, bottle of Syrah for 4	$150
Evo Spa – gift certificate	$100
Pizza D’Angelo – gift certificate	$100
Trader Joe’s – gift basket	$100
Spinnaker Restaurant – gift certificate	$75
No Name Bar – Bottle of Cognac	$62
Dipsea Café – gift certificate	$50
Outback Steak House – gift certificates x 2	$45 each
Caffe Tutti – gift certificate	$25
Asqew Grill – gift certificates x2	$24

Southern Marin Trains CERT Members

The Southern Marin  CERT organization held an advanced training for team members from across Marin County. 38 CERT volunteers showed up to practice their skills. Focus was on the development of a command center and on Search and Rescue, Triage, Treatment, Radio practice, and Use of the Emergency Trailer.

Maggie Lang from Mill Valley CERT brought the Boy Scouts and decorated them with realistic wounds. They played their parts well, and Southern Marin thanks them for their effort and their time.

A survey on SurveyMonkey.com found that the exercise went pretty well, and people appreciated the chance to reuse their skills. But it was clear that the ICS commanders needed additional preparation and practice in leading a large group like this one. The teams needed more exercises to keep them busy also. So much was learned and much was gained.

Pictures are available in the gallery on the main site: www.marinCERT.org.

Southern Marin Fire and Ice Ball

Southern Marin CERT and the Southern Marin Firefighters Association is pleased to  announce a Ball for the benefit of the the non-profit Friends of Southern Marin CERT and The Southern Marin Fire Fighters Association.

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

From 7:00 to 11:00 PM

IDESST Hall

511 Caledonia Street, Sausalito

$25.00 per person, $30 at the door

For information and tickets, call (415) 380-7929

Mill Valley offers GetReady classes

Mill Valley CERT has organized a series of GetReady classes at the Mill Valley Community Center for the first half of 2010. Here are the dates.

Feb. 9  Tuesday 7-9 pm

Feb. 27 Sat. 10-12N

March 3 Wed. 10-12 N

March 27 Sat. 10-12 N

April 7 Wed. 7-9 pm

April 24 Sat. 10-12 N

May 6 Thurs. 7-9 pm

There will also be classes offered at Strawberry Rec Center.

Thursday Feb. 4  1-3 pm

Tuesday March 23 7-9 pm

Thursday May 13 10-12N

CERT is on Linked-In!

For folks interested in communicating and sharing best practices with fellow CERTs, there are over 1,000 of CERTsconnected through a LinkedIn CERT group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=95355&trk=hb_side_g

One County, One CERT

San Rafael OES is spear heading an effort to standardize the CERT program in Marin County. Here is what they say in their January/February 2010 Emergency Services Newsletter:

One County, One CERT We are always the proponents of standardization and we recognize the collected benefits of sharing resources and working together. 2010 will be a year of hopeful transition for CERT as we work with all our CERT partner agencies from throughout the County to discuss, develop, and hopefully implement one standard, uniform, countywide CERT program for 2011. We are in the early stages of these discussions, but we have commitment from all the various CERT programs interested in developing one common and shared CERT program. We will keep you updated as things move forward.

Our Hearts are with the citizens of Haiti

The devastating 7.5 earthquake in Haiti reminds us of the tremendous loss and suffering that accompanies such disasters. We, at the Marin CERT Coalition, wish to express our sorrow for the people of Haiti and urge you to contribute to a charity of your choice for the aid of the survivors.

CERT TRAINING CLASS coming up in Southern Marin!

Let your neighbors and friends know about........

CERT TRAINING class coming up on two consecutive Saturdays
- February 6th and 13th, 2010.

Classes will be held at the County Fire station in Marin City at 850 Drake Avenue.

This class is for those who live in the Sausalito, Tam Valley, Almonte, Strawberry and all unincorporated southern Marin areas such as Mill Valley, Tiburon, Muir Beach.

For further information and registration see www.southernmarinfire.org/C.E.R.T. and check the CERT calendar.

Is he brilliant or "out there?"

CNN profiled Glen Ellen geologist Jim Berkland on Thursday 1/7, right after the quake in Milpitas. This man had predicted with 85% certainty that a quake would strike during the 1989 World Series (we know how that turned out!) That was enough for me. I subscribed to his newsletter, in which he issues his predictions. They are apparently based on many factors.
Jim Berkland is a geologist who has worked with the US Geological Survey for several years. He has always had an interest in geology. His experience there involved both work in the laboratory and out in the field. Jim Berkland has also published over 50 scientific papers. He started predicting earthquakes in 1989, which resulted in a 2-month suspension, despite the fact that his prediction was correct. This is his website:
http://www.syzygyjob.com/

Southern Marin CERT Plans for the first 1/2 year

The Southern Marin CERT program is planning a major "advanced training" for CERTs, set for February 20. If you would like to participate, write marincertcoalition@gmail.org.

CERT Divisions 4A and 4B are working with the Tamalpais Community Service District (TCSD) to present an Emergency Preparedness Fair on May 23rd. There will be a number of CERT demonstrations, including the use of fire extinguishers, medical triage and radio communications in times of disaster. There will be booths for food and for community activities such as Get Ready!. The kids will have the "jumpy castle". The fair will be at the TCSD community building 203 Marin Ave.

Southern Marin CERT is also planning a fundraiser for its non-profit arm, called Friends of CERT. This will be held in Sausalito April 3rd, and includes dancing, some light food, bar, and music. Tickets are expected to be about $30. Proceeds will be shared with the Firefighters association.

And finally, Southern Marin CERT is working on its growth and development plan. If you would like to help, let us know.