Reconstitution of AUX Activities

To: First Coast Guard District Auxiliary
Commander
First Coast Guard District
408 Atlantic Ave. Boston, MA 02110-3354 Staff Symbol: (dp) Phone: 617-223-8439 Fax: 617-223-8291
16790
15 Jun 2020
MEMORANDUM
From: R. J. Schultz, CAPT CGD ONE (dp)
Subj: UPDATE 2 - NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – D1 AUXILIARY AWARENESS AND GUIDANCE
Ref: (a) Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 (series) (b) My memo 16790 dated 04 Jun 2020
1. The First District will begin the second phase of reconstituting the Auxiliary into Coast Guard operations on June 15, 2020.
2. We remain focused on preparing for the safe return of our workforce and ensuring we make informed decisions about how and when we will reconstitute. First District Operational Commanders will continue lifting restrictions on staffing and unit activities by implementing sound risk assessment and mitigation strategies with concurrence from the chain of command. In the upcoming weeks and months we will implement measures that will allow us to gradually incorporate more Auxiliary personnel as we keep close watch on the local rates of infection and availability of community services.
3. Prior to any activity outside the home, Auxiliarists shall assess their personal ability to undertake the activity. This assessment will include the availability of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), their health history, the health of those in their household, the health of other members they may be interacting with, and the overall risk vs. gain of the activity.
4. Approving Auxiliary activities will be processed in a phased approach and determined by several factors. During this second phase of reconstituting Auxiliary activities the following factors apply:
a. People above 65 years of age as well as people (of any age) who have underlying medical conditions
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for the higher risk population is discussed on the following CDC
website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk- complications.html. Members who fall in the CDC's higher risk category will be restricted to conducting Auxiliary activities through electronic means (e.g., in-home
like heart or lung disease or diabetes appear to be at higher risk for developing
more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. The

Subj: UPDATE 2 – NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – 16790
D1 AUXILIARY AWARENESS AND GUIDANCE 15 Jun 2020
online activities) and through orders approved by a Coast Guard Ordering Issue Authority (OIA), the cognizant unit CO/OIC, involving no physical interaction with the public.
b. Since locations throughout the District are experiencing varying levels of COVID-19 threats, the current State and local government's guidance on shelter in place and social and business restrictions shall be applied to determine if an Auxiliary activity can take place.
c. The current Coast Guard OIA unit or Parent Command guidance and posture shall also be applied to determine if Auxiliary activity can take place.
5. After assessing and abiding by the above factors, the cognizant OIA, who has determined a need for Auxiliary support, may request an Auxiliarist(s) to conduct a Coast Guard mission or Auxiliary activity. Auxiliarists are precluded from Coast Guard missions or Auxiliary activity with any moderate to high risk of exposure to COVID-19. Auxiliarists must have a cloth face covering of neutral solid coloring (e.g., navy blue, black, gray, or white) with them during any activity. The cloth face covering shall be worn when Auxiliarists cannot appropriately social distance themselves from others by maintaining six feet of physical separation.
6. During this second phase of First District Auxiliary reconstitution, the following activities are permitted:
a. Auxiliary operational activities in direct support of Coast Guard units (e.g. AUXFS, comms watchstander, AUXAIR, surface patrols, etc.) can be conducted on a case-by-case basis with the approval of the OIA (i.e., Sector Commander, Commanding Officer, or Officer in Charge).
b. Qualified Auxiliary Vessel Examiners (VEs) will be permitted to perform facility exams and vessel safety checks, in teams of 2, with the approval of the District Commodore, Operational Training Officer (OTO), and the DIRAUX. Requests to perform facility exams and vessel safety checks must be made at least 3 days prior to the scheduled event. The qualified VE, and VE team member, will interact with only one member of the public when conducting each vessel exam or vessel safety check. All social distancing guidelines shall be followed at all times. Proper PPE shall be worn to include face coverings and latex/nitrile gloves. Boat owners will be instructed to point out items on the vessel from a socially acceptable distance greater than six feet. All PPE will be sanitized or replaced after each exam. Upon completion of the VE mission each day, uniforms must be washed.
c. Auxiliary activities in support of Coast Guard clinics can be conducted by qualified Auxiliary Health Care Providers who have been specifically requested by name to assist a Coast Guard clinic in the First District. All requests for Coast Guard Auxiliary Health Care Providers must be coordinated with the Chief Medical Officer of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the HSWL Service Center Operational Medicine Division.
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Subj: UPDATE 2 – NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – 16790
D1 AUXILIARY AWARENESS AND GUIDANCE 15 Jun 2020
d. Limited activities in support of the Auxiliary Paddlecraft (AUXPAD) ashore mission. Primary focus will be on AUXPAD education and outreach efforts that can be performed virtually. The District Commodore will work with their Chain of Leadership to research possible marine dealer locations where AUXPAD outreach visits can be conducted safely. All AUXPAD marine dealer visits must be approved by the District Commodore, the DIRAUX, and the owner of the specific store where the event is scheduled. All social distancing guidelines shall be followed at all times. Proper PPE shall be worn to include face coverings and latex/nitrile gloves. Upon completion of the AUXPAD activities, uniforms must be washed.
7. During this second phase of First District Auxiliary reconstitution, the following in person activities are still prohibited and shall not be approved by the DIRAUX or cognizant unit or Sector:
a. In person training sessions or meetings/conferences. These activities shall continue to be conducted via electronic means (GoToMeeting, skype, WebEx, etc).
b. Auxiliary public affairs events (e.g. boat shows, air shows). Auxiliary public affairs activities that can be conducted electronically (e.g. in-home online activities) are authorized.
c. Auxiliary members are prohibited from attending meetings, conferences, training, or events in support of Coast Guard Auxiliary (e.g. National Auxiliary events, "C" Schools, etc.) outside the First District without the approval of the DIRAUX.
d. Auxiliary members returning from leisure travel via commercial means (airline, train, bus, etc) are prohibited from participating in Coast Guard or Auxiliary activities and/or visiting Coast Guard or Auxiliary units until 14 days have lapsed from the return date and they experience no symptoms of COVID-19 during this period. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
8. For the most up to date status about COVID-19, the following link shows a CDC map of countries and territories affected: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/global-covid-19/world-map.html.
9. The uncertain nature and continued infections of COVID-19 still warrant heightened awareness in the course of any assignment to duty as well as everyday life. First Coast Guard District Auxiliarists must vigilantly maintain good hygiene to safeguard themselves from exposure risks in accordance with CDC guidance provided at the aforementioned web sites.
10. We must all realize and appreciate that COVID-19 has created a dynamic worldwide situation subject to policies and procedures that can rapidly and significantly change. Additional guidance will follow as the situation evolves.
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ANACO-DV David G. Porter
National Diversity Team
US Coast Guard Auxiliary