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1 Front Cover2postal bulletin 22490 (3-29-18)ContentsCOVER STORYN ational Dog Bite Prevention Week, April 8 14, 2018..3 POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND FORMS UPDATESM anualsDMM Revision: Revenue Deficiency .. 14 IMM Revision: Individual Country Listing for Iraq .. 16 HandbooksHandbook EL-312 Revision: Probationary Period .. 16 PublicationsPublication 223 Revision: Directives and Forms Update.. 37 Publication 431 Revision: Changes to Post Office Box Service and Caller Service Fee Groups .. 39 FormsNew PS Form 5956-MFP is Now Available .. 39 ORGANIZATION INFORMATIONA ddress ManagementPost Office Changes .. 40 FinanceEquipment Maintenance Allowance Schedule for Rural Routes .. 40 Human ResourcesEqual Employment Opportunity Statement .. 43 Mailing and Shipping ServicesMail Alert .. 43 Stamp ServicesStamp Announcement 18-13: United States Air Mail Stamp ..45 Correction: Pictorial Postmarks Announcement.

2 46 Pictorial Postmarks Announcement ..47 How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Digital Color or Traditional Postmarks ..49 PULL-OUT INFORMATIONF raudInvalid usps Corporate Account Numbers..17 Missing, Lost, or Stolen Money Order Forms ..18 Missing, Lost, or Stolen Canadian Money Order Forms ..24 Verifying Postal Service Money Orders ..27 Counterfeit Canadian Money Order Forms ..27 Toll-Free Number Available to Verify Canadian Money Orders ..27 Other InformationOverseas Military/Diplomatic Mail ..28 Thrift Savings Plan Fact Sheet..34 Freely Associated States Restrictions ..36 POSTAL BULLETIN 2017 ANNUAL INDEX2017 Annual Index .. PB 22484 (1-4-18)Find the latest in mail and delivery information and services offered by Postal in the Postal Bulletin at bulletin 22490 (3-29-18) Cover Story3 Cover StoryNational Dog Bite Prevention Week, April 8 14, 2018 Sponsored by the Postal Service , National Dog Bite Prevention Week is a public service campaign that offers safety tips and emphasizes the need for increased owner responsibility in the prevention of dog nips and bites to vicious attacks, aggressive dog behavior poses a serious threat to our employees.

3 To emphasize the enormity of this issue, the Postal Service is reporting the number of dog attacks and bites together as the most prominent threat to carriers. Last year, 6,244 Postal Service employees were victimized by tools available in this kit and online will help pro-mote the awareness of this public health concern in an effort to reduce the number of adverse interactions in local communities. Be sure to contact the field communications professionals listed in this kit when promoting this Bite Prevention Background and TipsThe Victims According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about million people are bitten by dogs each year. Over half of all dog bite injuries occur at home with dogs who are familiar with their victims. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that dog bite victims account for up to 5 per-cent of emergency room visits. As many as 800,000 people annually are admitted to emergency rooms with dog bite-associated injuries, and count-less more bites go unreported and untreated.

4 AVMA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report that small children, the elderly, and letter carriers are the most frequent victims. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States. Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured. Among children, the rate of dog bite-related injuries is high-est for those 5 to 9 years old. Most dog bites affect-ing young children happen during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs. In 2017, dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for over $100 million in liability claims paid by State Farm . Over the past decade (2008 2017), State Farm has paid over $1 billion for dog-related injury claims, which is a 57 percent increase in the amount paid over the past decade. Last year, many attacks reported by letter carriers came from dogs whose owners regularly used the phrase, My dog won t bite.

5 How to Avoid Being Bitten Don t run past a dog. The dog s natural instinct is to chase people who run. If a dog threatens you, don t scream. Avoid eye con- tact. Try to remain still until the dog leaves, and then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don t approach a strange dog, especially one that s tethered or confined. While letter carriers are discouraged from petting ani-mals, people who choose to pet dogs should always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal. If a dog is about to attack, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a to Be a Responsible Dog Owner Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dog in any situation. When a letter carrier comes to the home, keep dogs: Inside the house or behind a fence, Away from the door, In another room, or On a leash. Dogs can be protective of their territory and may interpret the actions of letter carriers as a threat.

6 Take precautions when accepting mail in the presence of your pet. Dogs that haven t been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied-up for long periods frequently turn into bulletin 22490 (3-29-18) Cover Story2018 Dog Bite Posterpostal bulletin 22490 (3-29-18) Cover Story5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEC ontact: [Insert your name][Insert Date][Insert your phone number]Internet: Release[City Name] Post Office and [Local Animal Shelter] Lead the Parade for Dog Bite Prevention[City] They walk the streets of [City] every day, and Saturday, [Date] at [Time], [Your City] letter carriers are bringing friends and family along with them to deliver a very special message. The message they will deliver has received a lot of media attention lately, but it is one that letter carriers have been concerned about for decades. It is the need for the entire community to work together to avoid the cost and pain of dog year, 6,244 letter carriers were attacked by dogs.

7 But that number pales in comparison to the more than 2 million children who received dog bite injuries in a single year. That s why we re coming out on a Saturday to deliver this important message, says Postmaster [Postmaster Name]. Several of our letter carriers know first-hand about both the prevention and the pain of animal attacks, and we want to do whatever we can to help educate the community especially parents and pet owners. Letter carriers who are on the job after recovering from animal attacks will lead the parade and are available to talk about their experience. [Name of Health Care or Animal Protection Official] will join letter carriers along their route to talk about dog bite prevention and responsible pet ownership. A sample of some important facts that officials can share is attached. [Attach Dog Bite Prevention Background]The parade route will be [Describe the parade s route so reporters can catch up with you if they miss the beginning of the parade].

8 # # #6postal bulletin 22490 (3-29-18) Cover StoryFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEC ontact: [Insert your name][Insert Date][Insert your phone number]Internet: Advisory[City Name] Post Office and [Local Animal Shelter] Deliver a Very SpecialMessage This [Day]ATTENTION:News Editors WHAT:Letter carriers of the [Name] Post Office will be joined by their friends, family, chil-dren and even some of their pets as they deliver a very important message to the community. [The appearance of a well-trained dog owned by one of your let-ter carriers will help dispel the myth that Postal Service employees don t like dogs.] Postmaster [Name] and [Name] of the [Local Health or Animal Protec-tion Agency] will speak about the prevention of dog bites to the Postal Service and the community as they travel a parade route through the [Name] carriers who lead the parade have recovered from animal attacks and will share their stories to help others avoid the pain they have gone can also obtain tips on how to avoid dog bites and learn what dog owners can do to reduce aggressive pet behavior.

9 WHEN:Saturday, [Date and Time, preferably no earlier than 10:00 ].WHERE:The parade will begin at [Describe Parade Route] and end at [Picnic Location].BACKGROUND:The 6,244 letter carriers attacked by dogs in 2017 pales in comparison to the num-ber of children who were victimized by dogs. The owners of many of the canines claimed their pet would never bite or wouldn t hurt a fly. The Postal Service and its letter carriers work to prevent these painful, sometimes fatal, injuries by promoting community awareness and responsible pet :Postmaster [Postmaster Name] at [Phone]. # # #postal bulletin 22490 (3-29-18) Cover Story7 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEC ontact: [Insert your name][Insert Date][Insert your phone number]Internet: Service AnnouncementApril 8 14 is National Dog Bite Prevention WeekThe Postal Service offers three public service announcements (PSAs) for your consideration. Spring is here and more people and dogs will be on the street.

10 This is the perfect time to participate in an education campaign aimed at reducing these painful and costly decades, the Postal Service has taken a leadership role in preventing animal attacks because letter carriers are the third most likely group to be bitten or attacked by a dog. Children and the elderly rank number one and two, respectively. You can find more information on the attached Dog Bite Prevention Background and Tips sheet. [Attach Dog Bite Prevention Background and Tips sheet]Please join the Postal Service in this important public education campaign by using these PSAs and by interviewing Postal Service, animal protection and public health officials during National Dog Bite Prevention 1It s that time of year again, and the Postal Service, healthcare providers and animal protection professionals need your help. Last year, 6,244 letter carriers were bitten or attacked by dogs nationwide.