U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 4 - 8CR

Marine Safety & Environmental Protection "M" Department

The Trident Program was officially launched at N-Train 2003. The program finished the first year of training with impressive results. Trident training is provided by on-line courses and field training in Personal Qualifications Standards based on M field unit needs. The program developed to augment the M field units is based upon recruiting and training to meet the needs of the Marine Safety Offices and their field units throughout the country.   Course completions through 2003 included the following:     Too, the Introduction of the Trident Program has been associated with an exceptional increase in M-related Mission Hours being reported throughout the Auxiliary, as follows:   Total increase from 2002 was 57,858 hours, or a net increase of 168 percent.            The increasingly complex environment in which the Auxiliary and all of our members operate today requires that we approach every mission and initiative with an integrated response.   The advent of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions, the increasing importance of Auxiliary support for implementation and maintenance of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and the coordinated and integrated move by the Auxiliary’s Departments to a universal Multi-Mission concept, increases the importance and applicability of Trident Training.   Trident Training offers valuable opportunities to gain knowledge and skills to all Auxiliary members in addition to those dedicated to preparing and qualifying to meet the specific needs of the M community.   The Marine Safety Offices (MSO)s are responsible for the safety and security of ships and cargoes entering our ports, security for the port areas, and protection of the marine environment.   This responsibility is far reaching and complex. In order for us to work safely and effectively in a multi-mission environment, an Auxiliarist should understand the organization and programs of the M community. The best way to gain this knowledge is through the study and completion of the Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Course which is offered on-line with an on-line examination process through Trident Training.   This working knowledge and understanding is essential for participation in MDA and MTSA related missions and support.   The Good Mate Course is an introductory course in environmental protection. This course contains practical knowledge and training for every Auxiliarist, and in fact, every responsible boater. The topics covered are applicable to everyone in our day to day activities as well as in those related to the Auxiliary. The importance of preserving and safeguarding our environment from accidents as well as intentional acts affects all of us. This course is also available on-line.   ICS 100 is an essential foundation to understanding the principles of the Incident Command System and to acquaint you with the basic ICS structure and terminology. ICS is the organizational structure used by the Coast Guard and virtually all major governmental agencies in the management of all incidents where more than the Coast Guard is directly involved. This knowledge is essential for all members who might be involved in the management, support or response phase of an incident. This course is on-line through the Trident Training site.   ICS 200 and ICS 300 are advanced levels of study to prepare you to actively participate in an incident response, be it pollution, natural disaster, or terrorist related.   The advanced Personal Qualifications Standards (PQSs) are primarily designed to train Auxiliary members to provide direct support to the USCG’s M field units. This training is designed  to meet the specific needs of those  field Units. A number of these PQSs are directly applicable to the safe performance of an MDA, MTSA, Harbor Patrol, or any multi-purpose mission where the potential exists to become the “first responder”. The continued safe performance of our missions depends upon a trained and qualified cadre of Auxiliarists performing in a competent and professional manner. Trident training can help you meet these demands.   We invite you to continue your interest in the Trident Program’s features by going to M Department’s web pages at http:/www.auxonline.org/~msep/       While not all Auxiliarists will become Trident qualified, all Auxiliarists can become Trident trained by taking advantage of the on-line courses and training available. This training will help you perform more knowledgably, efficiently and safely as you participate in your Auxiliary missions.    SEMPER PARATUS   Additional links of interest:   Trident Program Web page: http://www.auxonline.org/~msep/trident.htm     Trident Training and Online Testing page: http://www.auxetrain.org/Tridentprg.htm

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