Auxiliary Branded Message Made Easy

Our Public Affairs Mission: Publicizing the aims, purposes and activities of the Auxiliary to develop public understanding and appreciation of its role.

The over-arching public affairs mission of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, as shown above, has been quite simply paraphrased as, "Get the word out!"

Fire Extinguisher PASS Tag (front)

For our part, we strive to evoke the image of the Auxiliary as a "Your First Source" whenever the subject of recreational boating is in play.  Historically, we accomplished this by placing display racks with our literature and posters at program visitor sites.

We provide handouts at venues such as public events, boat shows, safety expos and elsewhere.  What we have forgotten to 'mark' is the very boats that are out there on the water. Here's the plan.

Every power boat has a fire extinguisher.  How does one use it, properly, effectively, and efficiently?  Many extinguishers print the instructions in a booklet or on the device itself.  I ask, "Who has time to read all this, when a fire is raging?"

Years ago fire departments realized this and developed a simple mnemonic (abbreviation) that would tell the story in one simple word. PASS. Pull (the pin); Aim (at base of fire); Squeeze (the handle); Sweep (at base of flame).

Armed with this premise, North Carolina Division 10, as a result of a day-long multi-mission meeting on recreational boating safety, decided that a great adder/gift for our vessel safety checks would be to add a small card with this information to every vessel they examine.

Fire Extinguisher tag (back)

Taking this premise one step further--use the back of the card to deliver your institutional advertising or "Branded Message".  Include the Auxiliary logo, a slogan, and your internet web site.  Now your message and contact information is on thousands of boats, and probably will remain there for many years to come.  Therefore, laminate the card, punch a hole and use a 4" cable tie to attach to the pin to ensure that longevity.   The cost for a card is pennies; the value is priceless.

In my North Carolina Division 9, we distributed nearly 800 of these invaluable messages this season to our boaters receiving a vessel safety check.  Surely, this will be a lasting safety reference, as well as an innovative vehicle to 'Get the Word Out' from "Your First Source" for boating safety, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Contact Jim Ashley ADSO-PA-SNC@CoastGuardAux.com for a material sourcing data sheet.

 

~cc 05/28/12