Eastern Division NSP COVID-19 Advisory (updated 04/27/20)
The Eastern Division Board of Directors (EDBOD) has been monitoring the evolving situation with respect to COVID-19. The EDBOD has not taken this health concern lightly. The health and safety of all of our members are a priority. We have taken guidance from our Medical Advisor(s) and the information of both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on recommendations for preparedness and prevention recommendations. We are reminded that as health care providers we are trained in BSI and risk mitigation procedures for infectious diseases. However, we are NOT trained or prepared, as an organization for viral bacteria diseases such as this. Therefore, we as an organization are not advocating for any Patroller to volunteer in any capacity relative to COVID-19. However, if anyone of you wants to volunteer in this fight there are educational institutions and resources to educate you to prepare you for what you need to know before volunteering. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is one such resource you should consider for education and possible certification in this regard. For more information: https://mrc.hhs.gov/homepage
We advise ALL Eastern Division Patrollers to follow the CDC recommendations, Federal, State, and Local government advisements. In order to minimize exposure to all, we cannot emphasize enough that we need your help to support social distancing both in your personal groups and with any NSP interaction. Use conference calling as the preferred method of communication. The ED has been quite successful in getting things done with these media conference platforms.
OEC 5 Courses
We are aware that we have some regions and patrols have open OEC 5 courses. If these courses are well underway and the end date is before July 1st or if the courses have been completed except for the written and practical evaluation we understand and are working on a solution. The courses that are well underway can continue via media conference connections like ZOOM or others. I have participated in such training in EMARI via Zoom and it works great. The only thing you CANNOT do is the practical sessions, final written and final practical. This requires physical interaction and this just CANNOT happen right now. We consider this to be our most urgent matter at hand but we are in a wait and see status until the end of April. At that time we will look for answers on how to help bring these courses to test before 9/1/2020. Again, it is OK to continue the course work via internet conference, but all activity involving close proximity or contact of any kind for an OEC course event is NOT recommended. It is our goal to bring these courses to a close as soon as possible within all measures of responsible action and care for our members. We are asking for you all to be patient with the National, Division and Region Staff as we are working in changing conditions from week-to-week. Deb Foss (Eastern Division OEC Supervisor) will be in contact with every IOR as to the latest information relative to your respective courses in the days ahead.
PLEASE DO NOT register any new OEC Courses! We have a list of the courses that are running now and they will be our priorities. As we have advised previously, please wait until July 1 to register any new OEC Courses.
Thank you all for your cooperation and support of these policies.
Eastern Division Director
- All Eastern Division run events are canceled until further notice.
- All Division Staff or designated personnel for Division activities are NOT to attend any NSP events until further notice.
- The Spring Officer’s Meeting (SOM) will be held via Conference Call
We advise ALL Eastern Division Patrollers to follow the CDC recommendations, Federal, State, and Local government advisements. In order to minimize exposure to all, we cannot emphasize enough that we need your help to support social distancing both in your personal groups and with any NSP interaction. Use conference calling as the preferred method of communication. The ED has been quite successful in getting things done with these media conference platforms.
OEC 5 Courses
We are aware that we have some regions and patrols have open OEC 5 courses. If these courses are well underway and the end date is before July 1st or if the courses have been completed except for the written and practical evaluation we understand and are working on a solution. The courses that are well underway can continue via media conference connections like ZOOM or others. I have participated in such training in EMARI via Zoom and it works great. The only thing you CANNOT do is the practical sessions, final written and final practical. This requires physical interaction and this just CANNOT happen right now. We consider this to be our most urgent matter at hand but we are in a wait and see status until the end of April. At that time we will look for answers on how to help bring these courses to test before 9/1/2020. Again, it is OK to continue the course work via internet conference, but all activity involving close proximity or contact of any kind for an OEC course event is NOT recommended. It is our goal to bring these courses to a close as soon as possible within all measures of responsible action and care for our members. We are asking for you all to be patient with the National, Division and Region Staff as we are working in changing conditions from week-to-week. Deb Foss (Eastern Division OEC Supervisor) will be in contact with every IOR as to the latest information relative to your respective courses in the days ahead.
PLEASE DO NOT register any new OEC Courses! We have a list of the courses that are running now and they will be our priorities. As we have advised previously, please wait until July 1 to register any new OEC Courses.
Thank you all for your cooperation and support of these policies.
Eastern Division Director