Mission Staff Assistant MSA

1. Mission Staff AssistantMSA • Introducing the Mission Specialty Qualifications Requirements, developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project 1998 • Updated by Civil Air Patrol NHQ in 2008. • Updated by TX-442 MSA Volunteers in December 2018.

2. Reasons for Update • The Mission Base Staff Tasks lists have not been updated or at least published since 2005. • The Web Mission Information Reporting System (WMIRS), a major tool for the MSA, was developed after those tasks lists which are still in use for MSA training. • A WMIRS document was last published in 2011 and is of little value to the working MSA

3. Reasons for Update(cont.) • Some Knowledge of WMIRS is a prerequisite to starting qualification training for MSA. • This update introduces the need for WMIRS and new training material developed in the last 10 years. Also introduces the concept of a Mission Base Home for the MSA under the Planning Section & Resources Unit. The Resources Unit Leader was documented in R60-3 in 2012, no SQTR yet.

4. Missions Qualificatios • Three areas of qualification (partial lists) • Ground and Urban Direction Finding Teams • Ground Team Leader • Ground Team Member • Urban DF Team • Aircrews • Mission Pilot • Mission Observer • Mission Scanner • Airborne Photographer • Mission Base Personnel MSA, etc.

5. Mission Base Staff The primary mission base staff in two slides Developed for the Incident Command System ICS

6. Command Staff

7. General Staff

8. A Home for the MSA • Prior to CAP Regulation 60-3, ICS introduced the Resources Unit as a unit under the Planning Section Chief. The unit may have four positions: • Resources Unit Leader • Mission Resources Check-in Position • Mission Resources Tracking Position • Mission MSA Coordination Position – MSA HOME • The ICS name is Volunteer Coordination.

9. The MSA Position • The Mission Staff Assistant (MSA) is an entry-level, learning, Mission Base Staff Position. • The typical MSA responsibility is administration. With the first position being Check-in for personnel and equipment in the Resources Unit. AN SQTR isNEEDED FOR TRAINING: 101 card for MSA, or (Supervised Trainee Status*) allows participation in a mission.

10. A learning opportunity • The MSA mission position is as ubiquitous as any asset in the CAP inventory. It is the lowest rung on the CAP Mission qualification ladder BUT the MSA is offered an outstanding learning experience allowing a career climb up the CAP ladder to any position in CAP that he or she is determined to obtain. • A mission base wide experience is enabled by learning how to assist each staff area, Hands-On.

11. The MSA Starting Task An absolutely necessary Prerequisite: Familiarity with WMIRS Check-in Screens The Check-in Position in the Resources Unit under the Planning Section, is a Beginning Task for an MSA

12. Mission Check-in Position • Process mission personnel and equipment during a mission. • Primary duties: • Setup Check-in Position • Access Mission data • Be familiar with Check-in Checklist • Correctly observe uniforms & credentials • Sign-in and Sign-out all assets • Be familiar with uploading data to WMIRS • Assist in demobilize the work station end of mission.

13. Example of the AlpineCheck-in Checklist • The following is a reduced copy of the Check-in Checklist prepared from Regulations and Operations Plans requirements for Check-in. • This typical checklist was prepared by the Resources Unit Leader (Acting) for the Alpine Mt. Flying Clinic.

15. Helpful Knowledge Knowledge of WMIRS Capabilities General Computer Skills: Excel, PowerPoint, Word Conversant with the ZULU 24hr Clock Location of Regulations and Forms in gocivilairpatrol.com Knowledge of processing SQTRs An inquiring mind

16. CHECK-IN Uses WMIRS Web Mission Information Reporting System WMIRS is a computer based system “… to assist CAP and Department of Defense (DOD) leaders so they can more effectively review, approve and monitor CAP missions.” WMIRS is the computer system used at CAP Missions for entering missions (Personnel, Aircraft, Vehicles, possibly additionally small non-expendable items, operational and financial data.

17. WMIRS Requires the Internet • Occasional the internet may not be available, but resources must be logged in. Run down a original hardcopy of an ICS 211 and add to your go-bag. This is a hardcopy Resources Check-in. You may need a pen or pencil. • The Resources Unit Leader should give the Check-in crew a heads-up if this will happen. • In a live mission the mission base location may not be fully equipped to our liking.

18. MSA Assist OtherMission Staff Positions • Qualified MSA’s or an MSA Supervised Trainee (*) status may be needed to perform functions with other specialty areas (mission staff positions): • Mission Safety Officer • Public Information Officer • Planning Section Chief • Logistics Chief • Operations Section Chief • Incident Commander

19. Specific Assistance to Mission Base Staff • MSA may be asked to assist in: • Conducting basic safety/hazard inspections • Assisting the Public Information Officer • Answering Staff questions using WMIRS data. • Assisting setting up and maintaining status boards • Locating personnel for next ops period • Developing forms for the Incident Action Plan • Compiling mission data and documents • Maintaining logs and information

20. Examples ofHands-on Assistance Assisting the Mission Safety Officer (MSO)

21. Safety is everyone's Job • Check for Safety/RM forms to be in WMIRS and TXWG Mishaps Reporting Roster to be properly posted, assist in preparation. • Risk Management (RM), is used to eliminate or mitigate hazards to mission assets. • Report any hazards or unsafe practices to the safety officer. • Wherever you are, look for hazards - use common sense • If imminent danger, take immediate action.

22. Mishap Investigations • If no MSO at the mission base: • Start w/Mission Mishap Reporting Roster: txwgf062-2-2 • Contact the IC or a Staff Supervisor: • IC or unit commander immediately notifies the wing commander and wing safety officer. • If serious injury or death is involved, National HQ personnel are notified.

23. Vehicle Inspections • Perform a vehicle safety inspection. • Normally the duty of the MSO • Daily Vehicle Inspection Report • If necessary, update and maintain a vehicle operations (usage) log for the finance/admin section. See CAPF 73

24. Another Mission BasePosition to Assist Assisting the Public Information Officer

25. Assisting the PIO • Assisting the PIO who may be absent when a visitor arrives, is a very important and occasionally delicate task. Family members of a person involved in a search and rescue mission require special care and after getting them out of the main stream of the mission base, send a member to locate a staff supervisor, preferably the PIO or Incident commander

26. More PIO • No Information is released without permission from the IC or PIO. • Direct reporters, family and bystanders to the IC, if no PIO. Better to send a member to find the IC. • Media folks may be assertive, ask them to wait for the IC or PIO. You may find yourself on TV saying too much. • Never guess or speculate. Always follow-up. • “I don’t know” or “You need to ask the PIO” – Not “I am not allowed to tell you.”

27. Maintain Logsfor any position that asks • Local, CAP and ICS Forms/Logs: • All units at mission base are to keep a log. • This task is a natural for the MSA as the principles are usually too busy to keep a running a log. • WMIRS makes it easy by providing an online log. • ICS 214 is available if a WMIRS screen is not. • All New MSAs should practice maintaining a position log wherever they work, use a ICS214.

28. More on Logs • The MRO (Comm.) has a special log. The MRO will instruct you on how to complete their paper log, and their WMIRS online log. • The next slide provides a copy of the ICS 214 which can be used by a mission base MSA with a pen or pencil and be uploaded into WMIRS at the end of the day. The general log should contain significant events, certainly opening and closing of the positions in the Unit.

29. General PurposeICS 214 Form

30. Resources TrackingPosition • Resources Tracking is a Task position similar to the Check-in position under the Resources Unit. • It is a position to be staffed by an MSA.

31. Resource Tracking cont. • Determine the status and availability of resources for a mission. • Identify and locate resources: • The IC and PSC are interested. • Verify resources: • Make sure resources are onsite. • If not onsite, where are they? • Where will they be at night fall? • Eyes-on inventory may be needed

32. Resource Tracking (cont) • Track deployed resources: • Use an equipment sign-out log to control non-expendable assets. • Non-expendable assets must be inspected and returned to their proper locations at end of mission. • Document significant expendables used. • Make sure any equipment borrowed from another agency is returned (in the same or better condition as it was when you borrowed it).

33. MSA CoordinationPosition • This is Mission Base Home for the MSA. It is a Position in the Resources Unit. • GOALS • Provide a point of contact between a qualified MSA available at a mission and the Mission Base Staff positions that need assistance. • Provide a point for MSAs of all experience to find guidance and support from SET qualified MSAs • A place for members that have checked in with only a GES and need supervision and guidance.

34. Personal Duty Tips • Be professional and helpful and supportive in attitude. • Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help from your supervisor. • Be careful, there can be many hazards around a mission base (wires, antennas, vehicles, half empty coffee cups). • Watch your health. Don’t get so involved in duties you forget hydration, eating, rest, etc. • Remember to take into account of your duty time that it may involve a long drive home. • Don’t try to do something you haven’t been trained to do. • Consider the Flight Line to require supervisor permission.

35. Start Learning • Official MSA Training cannot start until a Specialty Qualification Training Record (SQTR) is started for the member in eServices. This is required of all Operational Specialties. • The active worksheet should be printed and carried with you when in a training environment. This will allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in a task and receive approval from a member who is a qualified MSA Skills Evaluator/Trainer, (SET). You will input the data on eServices and submit. A copy will go to the SET for approval.

36. And Keep Learning • For MSA training to officially be documented and approved by a qualified SET, your Unit Commander must add his/her signature to allow you to train. There are two signatures required. One to approve the prerequisites and the second to allow advanced training. • After the second CC signature the member will receive a Supervised Trainee Status (*) on their 101 card. This is helpful at mission Check-in.

37. SQTR Worksheet

38. MSA SQTR Tasks These are tasks currently on the MSA SQTR Approval must be obtained from a SET P-2006 Demonstrate knowledge of the MSA responsibilities. • P-2002 Demonstrate the ability to escort dignitaries and visitors. • P-2003 Demonstrate the ability to process incoming resources for use on the mission. • P-2005 Demonstrate collection and updating of incident status information. • L-0001 – Basic Communications procedures for ES OPS. • P-0101 - Demonstrate ability to keep a log.

39. Take a look at the Green ones first CAPM 39-1: CAP Uniform Manual CAPR 70-1: CAP Flight Management CAPR 60-3: CAP ES Training & Operational Mission CAPR 62-1: CAP Safety Responsibilities & Procedures CAPR 62-2: Mishap Reporting and Investigation CAPR 100-3: CAP Communications CAPR 900-3: Firearms- Assistance to Law Enforcement Agencies CAPR 60-3 will “Soon” become a CAPR 70-X –Watch for it. Important Regulations

40. WMIRS Self Training • If you are a CAP member and have a CAPID you will be able to access WMIRS. • Grab an MSA or an experienced CAP member and learn how to access WMIRS. Look around, try not to change any data. There is an eService development site where you can practice checking-in personnel and other assets. • You will receive instructor-lead hands-on training for the Check-in position.

41. WMIRS Data Security • WMIRS is a secure computer system. By secure we mean a password is needed to access the WMIRS system. • When the data is viewed by those that have access and remains on the computer that is not a problem. The problem comes when a print is made of a page of WMIRS data. Should it be marked in some way such as FOUO.

42. More Security A TIP for Beginners: • CONSIDER ALL DATA on WMIRS as being “SENSITIVE”. Do not talk about it to folks not in CAP and don’t make a print of anything on WMIRS without consulting a Staff Supervisor. • This is not about the Government classified system of Confidential and up. We are mostly dealing with data that is not Classified in that sense but is SENSITIVE and should be considered – For Official Use Only. More down the road.

43. You are on your way toMSA • When you have reviewed these slides and believe you have a basic understanding of the MSA position, contact an MSA with the Skill Evaluation Training (SET) Qualification. You will need your squadron commander approval of prerequisites before the P-2006 is approved. • If your understanding is sufficient, you will be approved for Task P-2006. Then with another CC signature on the SQTR you will be ready for advanced training. • Your 101 will now show “Supervised Trainee Status.”

44. QUESTIONS? THINK: RISK AWARENESS LEADING TO IMPROVED SAFETY