E-Safety Newsletter

May 2011

Introduction to CAP Safety Program for "new" members.
Republished with change

Actually this is for ALL members, not just new members. National originally scheduled this training to be completed by January; however it was moved to May 31, 2011. All members (including cadets) are required to complete this on line course before that date or they will automatically be suspended and not authorized to participate in any CAP activity until the requirement is completed. It is online and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. You have already received information from the Wing commander and the vice commanders, so you need to get busy. Here are the instructions on how to complete. Many of the members have already completed this program.

This new (in 2010) course introduced by the safety team as part of a national effort to improve safety awareness and put the same emphasis on safety as we now do on Cadet Protection. As directed by the National Board, "every active CAP member (seniors, cadets, cadet sponsors, 50-year, and life members)" is required to complete the training. The deadline for completion is 31 May-- having been extended from the original date of 31 January. Failure to complete the on-line program will result in your being disqualified from continued participation in CAP activities until you have finished the training. Please don't get caught in that circumstance!

To take the training, do the following:

1. Sign on to e-services (www.capnhq.gov) using your CAPID# and password.

2. Select Online Safety Education from the list on the left side of the page under "My Favorites".

3. Click on Introduction to CAP Safety Program for New Members under "Required Safety Course" at the top of the page.

4. Scroll through the slides, reading the material and taking notes if desired. You may reverse scroll if you need to review or clarify any of the material. When you feel you understand the content, go to the last page and select "Take the Test".

5. Each question is presented in turn, and graded after each answer. Don't forget to hit Submit when you have made your final choice of answers.

6. After the last question is answered, the test will be automatically scored and your overall grade presented.

7. You may request a printed certificate if you desire. The posting to your CAP record is automatic so your PD officer does not have to take any actions.

Please do not wait until the last minute to complete this training! The entire program - slides and test - takes less than 30 minutes of your time on-line. Use of a high-speed internet connection is highly recommended!  

Cadets may take this as a group and be entered under cadet programs. However a special arrangement has been made for Senior Members to use the same method. Here's how.

Urgent Message from the National Safety Team  

SUBJECT: Deadline Extension and One-Time Exception for Intro to CAP Safety Testing  

1. Despite the herculean efforts of many local and wing safety officers, CAP is experiencing a significant hurdle in getting its remaining members who joined CAP prior to 1 October 2010 trained in the Introduction to CAP Safety course. Since it is such a large undertaking to get all current members through the pipeline in a short period of time, CAP implemented two initiatives to assist units in reaching compliance with this policy. First, the deadline was extended to 31 May 2011 when CAPR 62-1 was published several weeks ago; second, the Introduction to CAP Safety course will now be available for classroom presentation as follows:  

a. The one-time period for senior members to complete the course in a classroom setting, with paper testing, is 20 April 2011 through 31 May 2011. There will be no extensions beyond the 31 May 2011 deadline. After 31 May, this course, the exam, and documentation of completion for senior members will be electronic-only using the online safety education program in eServices. Members who do not complete the training by the deadline will not be allowed to participate in organizational activities and missions.

b. This course can be taught by the unit commander, safety officer or cadet programs staff; however, the paper test for this course must be presented to the senior members by the unit commander or testing officer following the same protocols already established for this course under cadet programs. Testing for cadets will follow the same protocols as other cadet program testing. The slides for the course are available for download at the following url: www.capmembers.com/safety/safety_education/.  

c. The tests are available only to unit commanders and properly-appointed testing officers at: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.CadetTesting.Web/Modules/Admin.aspx.  

d. These tests are controlled items and shall be handled IAW CAPR 50-4, Test Administration and Security. The passing score is 80%, corrected to 100%. Failure to attain a passing score will require a re-test using a different test version after retraining has been provided. Tests cannot be challenged and will only be administered after the member has participated in the class/briefing.  

e. Successful completion of the course test will be documented on a CAP Form 11, certified by the authorized commander or testing officer and faxed to NHQ Safety:             334... . NHQ will then manually input this data into senior member records to facilitate compliance with the policy requirement.  

2. This Intro to CAP Safety course has two purposes: One is to teach new members about CAP safety; the second is to standardize the message so that ALL members, regardless of length of service, receive the same message and they, in turn, reinforce that message to the new members. Please approach this learning with that perspective in mind.  

3. If you have any questions, please contact safety@capnhq.gov. Remember to courtesy-copy your chain of command so that they are aware of your questions. Your continued support of the CAP safety program is appreciated.  

//SIGNED//  

ROBERT DIDUCH, Col, CAP National Safety Officer  

Important Changes  

As I mentioned before, my email address has changed. You should have received several notifications concerning this change. However I still have been receiving emails on the old account. The email account bmetzcap@comcast.net has been dropped and after March 31 will not be monitored and shortly thereafter the account will be dropped. The new account effective Feb 1 is bmetzcap@verizon.net. Please make the changes in your address books as soon as possible. If you have sent me anything in the last 30 days and have not received a reply please let me know.

Replacement Needed - Director of Safety PA Wing

But we have a year for you to decide. As some of you know, I intend to step down from the position as the Director of Safety. The wing is much improved from when I took over, thanks mostly to the dedicated volunteers that brought the safety culture back into the units. I was just there to guide and recommend. So, we are looking for a replacement for me. Qualifications are a true interest in promoting Safety in the Wing. Completion of all the Safety and ORM courses online. Experience in Safety either as a unit or group safety officer or similar experience in either the place of employment or military or volunteer organizations. So far I have had several inquires and formal request will be going out in October.

Barry Metz, Lt Col, CAP
Director of Safety
CAP Pennsylvania Wing
email - bmetzcap@verizon.net 

  

A great Safety Resource 

The NERegion Safety Newsletter at 

http://nerse2.nhplm.org/  

 Questions - Contact me or your unit safety officer or group safety officer.