Missions and Areas of Responsibilities
Gary Proudlock, Flotilla Commander
John Uber, Flotilla Vice-Commander
FSO-AN Aids to Navigation
Flotilla 21 is responsible for inspecting private aids
to navigation like private mooring buoys, which are not
maintained by the Coast Guard.
FSO-CM Communications
Radio communications plays a vital role in Coast Guard
operations. Members of the Auxiliary conduct radio
facility inspections and provide radio support to both
active duty and Auxiliary patrol communications.
FSO-CS Communication Services
Communications Services is key to bringing the Auxiliary
current with available technology. Whether building and
maintaining the flotilla web site, making printed
information available through on-line resources, or
assisting other officers in taking advantage of
available technology, Communication Services exercises
responsibility and supervision over electronic
communication for the flotilla.
FSO-FN Finance
Each flotilla maintains its own annual budget, and
manages its own revenues and expenditures. Finance is
responsible for keeping the books current and accurate,
timely payment of bills, and providing up-to-date
financial reporting to the flotilla’s elected officers.
FSO-IS Information Services
Responsible
for all matters pertaining to the collection and
recording of the flotilla's AUXDATA database and keeping
members informed of all developments in this area.
FSO-MA Materials
Auxiliary operations depend a great deal on printed
materials and publications for both member training and
publications. Materials handles inventory and ordering,
keeps the flotilla supplied with books and postage, and
assists members in obtaining uniforms and equipment.
FSO-MS Marine Safety & Environmental Protection
The Auxiliary provides direct support to the Coast
Guard's Marine Safety and Marine Environmental
Protection Programs. This includes spill reconnaissance
and sampling, port safety and security, remote area
inspections, vessel factory visits, licensing exam
administration, public affairs, local planning, and
environmental education.
FSO-MT Member Training
Central to achieving the Auxiliary’s mission, Member
Training organizes training sessions for all Auxiliary
program qualifications and specialty courses, and
assists all members in obtaining training through
classroom, dockside, on-the-water, or distance learning
opportunities.
FSO-MV Marine Dealer Visitor
Marine dealers are key partners for the Auxiliary in
communicating with the public. Auxiliarists serving as
Marine Dealer Visitors distribute safety materials to
dealers to in turn provide to the boating public, and
work with the dealers to set up boating safety classes
and safety fairs.
FSO-OP Operations
Operations provides operation and patrol support to the
Coast Guard to enhance recreational boating safety and
play a vital role with Maritime Defense Awareness.
Auxiliarists perform on-the-water patrols, search and
rescue missions, and assist during Seafair and local
regattas.
FSO-PA Public Affairs
Keeping the public informed about the Coast Guard and
the Auxiliary is an important mission. So is
communicating to members about Auxiliary activities
around the country, or up-to-the-minute operations
needing Auxiliary involvement. Flotilla 21 members also
stand watch at the Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle to greet
visitors and share information about this historical
facility.
FSO-PB Publications
As the “in-house” counterpart to Public Affairs,
Publications is responsible for the flotilla newsletter
and for submitting flotilla news for other Auxiliary
publications such as the Division 02
True North News,
and the District 13
Buoy 13.
FSO-PE Public Education
Auxiliary members teach boating safety courses approved
by the National Association of Boating Law
Administrators (NASBLA) to adults and children.
FSO-PS Personnel Services
As an organization of volunteers, the Auxiliary handles
much of its own personnel administration, beginning with
recruitment missions throughout the area, assisting
prospective members in making the decision to join, and
working in collaboration with Member Training to design
effective strong training and retention plans for all
members.
FSO-SR Secretary/Records
The majority of official flotilla record-keeping is
handled by the USCG District 13 Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX);
however, the flotilla Secretary is responsible for
sending out meeting announcements and taking meeting
minutes, managing the flotilla membership roster, and
assisting the Flotilla Commander and Flotilla
Vice-Commander in keeping the flotilla members
up-to-speed on changes to Coast Guard policy and
procedures, coming events, and training opportunities.
FSO-VE Vessel Examinations
Members of the Auxiliary perform free vessel safety
checks, a key element of the Coast Guard’s Recreational
Boating Safety program. Along with checking vessels for
compliance with safety requirements, Vessel Examiners
answer questions about related topics such as charts and
aids, or weather and sea conditions.
|
