[Unit-hso] Message to MN Wing HSOs

Wed Feb 22 21:57:50 CST 2023

Good evening,

If you are receiving this email, it is because you have a duty position as a Health Services Officer (HSO) within the Minnesota Wing. Thank you for serving in this role, especially in these increasingly-challenging times. This email is a long overdue introduction and an opening of lines of communication. My name is Capt Jordan Coffey (Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron, MN-047), and I am honored to serve as the MN Wing HSO. I have had the great opportunity of working with many of you at events across the Wing over the years, but this is the first time I'm meeting some of you.

As part of this introduction, I am sharing a few of my goals for the HSO role in 2023. Additionally, I wanted to share two opportunities (attached to this email): 1) an invitation from the Chaplain Corp to a webinar next Tuesday (February 28th) covering the Five Pillars of Wellness and Resiliency (registration link included in the attachment); 2) an application form for use by any HSO who would like to become actively involved in one of the National Health Services Working Groups.

My primary goal is to ensure that the MN Wing is doing everything possible to support the Health Services needs of all Groups and Squadrons. To accomplish this goal, I want to ensure that resources and training are readily accessible, that guidance is clear and consistent, and that we have an open line of communication across the 14 of us who currently serve in this role.

  1.  Resources: as a Wing, I want to make first aid supplies more easily available for Unit events. To support this, we have created fully-stocked medical backpacks that can be checked out for events. Additionally, the checkout will include a communication process to make it easy to note what supplies are included and what was used. The Wing will then restock the kits at no cost to the Unit. Look for upcoming communications about these kits and the associated process, but feel free to contact me directly in the meantime. We are also exploring the acquisition of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). I hope these are merely the first steps, and I look forward to input from all of you on what else can be provided to help better serve our Units' missions.
  2.  Training: First Aid training is paramount to CAP's mission. We know that it has been challenging for members to access First Aid courses that are cost-effective, relevant, and that meet the requirements specified in CAPR 60-3.1-24(f). I aim to see qualifying courses offered at least quarterly, with at least one offered in each Group, each year. We will also offer a First Aid training on the Friday of Wing Conference. To help with this process, 1st Lt Cally Jacobson (Ft. Snelling Cadet Squadron, MN-131) is helping as Assistant Wing HSO to support training efforts. As with resources, I hope these are first steps, and I would greatly appreciate input/collaboration in devising additional approaches.
  3.  Guidance: We all know that CAP Regulations can be challenging to navigate; CAPR 160-1 and the current 160-series forms are no exception. With this in mind, I want to help you navigate these as you plan for CAP events. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me or your fellow HSOs with any questions or concerns about what's required for your CAP event.
  4.  Communication: I recognize that Health Services communication has been largely lacking. To help open these lines of communication, I have worked with Lt Col Chet Wilberg (MN Wing Director of Information Technology) to create a distribution list of all HSOs within the MN Wing. This distribution list is automatically maintained based on duty assignments in eServices and can be used by emailing unit-hso at lists.mncap.org - this will send the message to all of you. I intend to provide regular updates via this list and welcome you to use it to connect with each other. Lt Col Stephen Leighton (National Senior Program Manager for Health Services) has expressed a similar goal to improve the frequency and quality of communication. In this vein, I have attached his February 2023 message to HSOs - the first of its kind. Some highlights from this message include an update on the draft proposed new HS Regulation 79-1, an update on the plans for the draft proposed new Health Service Specialty Track Guidelines, and an opportunity for you to participate in National Health Services Working Groups.

I know this message was long, so I appreciate your taking the time to read it completely. We have an incredible year ahead of us, and I am excited to better support you and your units. Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

Capt Jordan Coffey
Minnesota Wing Health Services Officer
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

(M) 262.627.0628

GoCivilAirPatrol.com<https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/>

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Volunteers serving America's communities, saving lives, and shaping futures

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