ICS is for everyone...

Recently, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach, California was host to the ICS-341 "Incident Response Planning Training" course. Seventeen members of the USCG active duty and Auxiliary attended this course taught by Emergency Management Systems Incorporated, the ICS Institute (EMSI).

Ed. note: ICS = Incident Command System.

This course is designed around a mock maritime disaster involving a vessel fire, with people, and oil in the water near beaches that are environmentally sensitive.

The course was great; however one student stood out in the instructors’ minds. His examples and life experiences brought new perspective to the course. For example when the instructors asked if anyone had a bad experiences of the "Demobilization Process;" students had stories about delayed or cancelled flights, losing luggage or other items, but this student smiled and spoke about the time he was getting off the hill on Iwo Jima and how he and his fellow Marines were expecting to go to Japan for some rest and relaxation, R&R, but instead ended up in another country far away. This student was CG Auxiliarist Damaso "Gunny" Sutis USMC (ret.) a WWII and Korean War Veteran and Iwo Jima Survivor.

Gunny had a true passion for learning ICS; he was the first student in class everyday and one of the last to leave. His questions were very thought provoking and well received. He volunteered to fill roles during the various meetings and participated at every opportunity. His enthusiasm and zest for life is something that many can learn from. Throughout the course he kept up the highest traditions and standards of both the United States Marine Corp and the United States Coast Guard and was very well respected by everyone.

One of the photos shows "Gunny" working with LTjg Ganely, USCG, during one of the exercises. They were preparing the Incident Action Plan (IAP) by transferring information from the form ICS-205 "Communication Plan" to the form ICS-204 "Assignment Sheet."

As we brought the course to a close "Gunny" did very well on the written exam and Captain Laferriere, USCG, Commanding Officer, Sector Los Angeles, Long Beach, stopped by to shake hands and pass out certificates.

"Gunny’s" closing remarks were - "See you can teach an ‘ole dog’ new tricks. There is a lot to this ICS stuff, but I find it very fascinating."

In my opinion every Sector needs a "Gunny."

"Gunny" working with LTjg Ganely, USCG, on transferring information.

Captain Laferriere, USCG, stopped by to shake hands and pass out certificates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~MG 12-31-10