Gosport - August 24, 2012

Page 1

Vol. 76, No. 34

VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

Florida Department of Health, Escambia County Health Department issues mosquito-borne illness alert

Donations triple to Feds Feed Families

From Florida Department of Health

The Escambia County Health Department would like to remind the public to practice careful mosquito bite prevention practices, especially during this very rainy summer season. The second human case of West Nile virus this year has been reported to the health department. This indicates that there is an imminent risk of additional persons becoming infected with West Nile virus if bitten by a mosquito. Being bitten by mosquitoes may result in infection with the virus. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. Those most at risk for the infection are those who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Individuals who are immune compromised may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection. Dr. Susan Turner, associate director for the Escambia County Health Department, advises: “A second human case of West Nile Virus underscores the very high risk of additional persons becoming infected with the virus. As school starts, and evening outdoor sporting events resume, it is especially important to make every effort to protect yourself and those you love from mosquito bites.” The Escambia County Health Department encourages everyone to take all precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes by following Florida Department of Health recommendations. The Escambia County Health Department, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health, will continue to perform surveillance for mosquito-borne infections. The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division has been notified. They are evaluating their

See West Nile on page 2

August 24, 2012

By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer

Pensacola Lighthouseʼs carriage house restored ... Ray Nelson, president of the Pensacola Lighthouse Association, speaks to a group at the grand opening celebration for the restored 1890s carriage house. Nelson is wearing the summer uniform of a lighthouse keeper. About 50 people turned out for the Aug. 16 event. The restored building, which has been converted into a gift shop, is designed to be the new entrance to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. Cedar beams from the original building were reused in the new structure. Photos by Janet Thomas

Members of the Pensacola military community have been very generous with donations to the 2012 Feds Feed Families campaign. The annual DoD campaign started June 1 onboard NAS Pensacola, Corry Station and Saufley Field and 64,860 pounds of food and essential items have been collected through Aug. 15, according to the NASP Chaplain’s Office. Monetary donations of $11,972 are also listed on a report released about the 2012 campaign. “The Pensacola military has really stepped up to the plate this year in supporting the FFF drive,” said NASP Pensacola Chaplain, Cmdr. David L. Gibson. “We have far sur-

passed the goal that Southeast Region gave us.” “We are way out ahead leading the Southeast Region and have already tripled the goal given to us by the region,” Gibson said. The 2012 goal for NASP was set at 20,000 pounds. As of Aug. 15, Pensacola was leading the region in donations. N A S Jacksonville was second with 20,920 pounds. The total donated in the Southeast Region stood at 147,035 pounds, with a goal of collecting 210,500 pounds for 2012. In 2011, the donation total came to 199,746 pounds for the Southeast Region, with Pensacola’s total reaching 17,142

See FFF on page 2

NASP emergency services reach far and wide with recent deep Gulf, rooftop rescue calls By Mike O’Connor Gosport Associate Editor

Any life-threatening medical emergency is bad, but when it happens in rough weather more than 40 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, you’re in deep trouble. When a crewman onboard the F/V Reel Fish Bonez – a fishing boat out of Louisiana – began having heart attack symptoms Aug. 9, an emergency call went out to the U.S. Coast

Guard (Sector Mobile). A determination was made to dispatch a Coast Guard ship and crew from NAS Pensacola, with an EMS team from Fire & Emergency Services Gulf Coast (F&ESGC) onboard. Since USCG Cutter Bonito was unavailable, the NASP station’s 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RB-M #45685) made the emergency call. Capable of reaching maximum speeds of more than 42

Navy Personnel Command leaders to meet with Pensacola-based Sailors From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Representatives from Navy Personnel Command’s fleet engagement team will be in Pensacola, Aug. 28-30, to meet with Sailors and discuss the latest personnel policies and initiatives impacting the fleet. “The visit is intended to ensure command leadership teams understand current manpower programs as well as promote the professional and personal development of our Sailors,” said Capt. Steve Holmes, Bureau of

See NPC meeting on page 2

knots, the multimission craft has a range of about 250 nautical miles. After responding to the Coast Guard station, Fire Capt./Paramedic Brandon Beecher, Lt./EMT Guy Peters and Firefighter/ EMT Chad Goetter loaded their ALS (advanced life saving) equipment and strapped in below decks for the trip. Beecher, a fisherman and former boat owner, was

See Rescues on page 2

Fire & Emergency Services Gulf Coast Tower 34 retrieves a patient and EMT team from the roof of the National Naval Aviation Museum Aug. 13. Photo by Station Chief Chad Ross

‘Readiness’ core to Navy training’s new motto, logo By Ed Barker NETC PAO

The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced changes to its command logo Aug. 20. The new logo updates the graphic and includes the new training domain motto, “Fleet Readiness Starts Here.” Rear Adm. Don Quinn, NETC commander, implemented the changes as part of his leadership team’s strategic plan, which emphasizes clear communication to customers.

“I believe it’s important to clearly communicate what we are all about,” said Quinn. “We transform civilians into highly-skilled, combat-ready warfighters, and enable their career-long growth and development. The U.S. Navy is the finest maritime force the world has ever known and our training is a clear asymmetric advantage to that end. I absolutely believe that superb fleet readiness starts with superb training.” Training commands around the world

See NETC on page 2

Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.


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