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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

About rusnivek

Emergency Services

Santa Tracker with PAOs at NORAD

Posted on November 30, 2020 by rusnivek

As we watch Santa visit kids around the world, here’s some behind the scenes shots from our friends at NORAD where they are manning the famous Santa Tracker.

Great work by all the Public Affairs Officers who worked throughout the night to provide timely updates to children across the world.

Not easy to keep this up for 24-hours.

(But also a good exercise on continuity and staffing. Hint hint.)

If you want to keep track too, here’s the official link: https://www.noradsanta.org/

I hope all of you are on the nice list because no one wants a lump of coal on Christmas morning.

@rusnivek

Reviewing a few IAPs today – flush on resources but short on people

Posted on November 29, 2020 by rusnivek

In a break from the normal press conferences, I got a chance to review a few IAPs today. Seems like many agencies are flush with pristine apparatus but don’t have the expert personnel to drive these expensive ass resources anywhere. COVID or not, you choose poorly.

Leaders: Do NOT invest in apparatus/equipment. Invest wisely into your personnel who can make magic happen.

I have been fortunate over my career to witness these mistakes.

***Your people are your biggest resource.***
Trust them to make good decisions to provide for the communities you serve.

@rusnivek

All I want for Christmas….is

Posted on November 27, 2020 by rusnivek

Is it time? IS IT TIME YET?!?!?

In case you needed a quick refresher view

My favorite Christmas song….

@rusnivek

Mask usage…in London

Posted on November 23, 2020 by rusnivek

I see my colleagues in London need to restart their mask wearing campaign again.

WTF?!?!?

Look

But this does bring up a good point – even though you hit it hard, it’s worth readdressing these important safety messages and programs again and again because people tend to forget how to do stuff.

Quite the extreme situation in PPE against COVID…and other stuff.

And don’t ask as I am unsure if it’s an N95 mask or not.

Now go wash your hands…please.

@rusnivek

Outdoor seating and dining

Posted on November 17, 2020 by rusnivek

I am very doubtful that I will be eating out in these pup tents.

Dinner for two in a pup tent.

Gotta give credit to those business owners who are exploring creative ways to increase business while still abiding by the rules setup by the state on indoor vs outdoor dining restrictions.

Me? Would I do it? Nope. I’m out.

I will be happy to continue to place my order for pickup.

@rusnivek

Behold the power of juice!

Posted on October 16, 2020 by rusnivek

Behold, the power of social media!

Specifically citing social media platform TikTok!

Here’s 420DoggFace’s video that pulled now 12.5mil views: https://www.tiktok.com/@420doggface208/video/6876424179084709126

Now here’s my view of the shelf on October 16.

Lesson learned for brand management: You can’t make fetch happen.

Glad to see something positive happening online to lift spirits.

@rusnivek

100 days deployed

Posted on October 8, 2020 by rusnivek

This COVID thing isn’t going away anytime soon.

Response and long-term recovery for all the New England region. In it to win it!

I am sure these past 100 days deployed has aged me as I constantly hear “we’ve never done it this way before” or “New guidance is out today from xxxx.”

Tons of coordination still to happen.

Lots of behind the scenes wrangling.

Committed to the mission w/ everyone here.

100 bottles of beer on the wall….100 bottles of beer!

Reporting live from in-between press conferences…

@rusnivek

Detailed warning information on upcoming weather threats and other hazards

Posted on September 13, 2020 by rusnivek

Welcome to the third week of 2020 National Preparedness Month! This week, we will be addressing how to prepare for specific disasters.

Compared to other weeks where we talk about general topics, plans, and maybe some things in your kit, we will be talking about how you can get stuff ready for each type of emergency or disaster.

So to start out, let’s talk about information about upcoming disasters.

A solid tool that is almost indispensable is…..your cell phone!

That’s right, that little computer/smart phone in your pocket is a GREAT way that you can discern information and better respond to the emergency.

One easy way is to download the FEMA app.

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https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app

The FEMA app has a ton of features that could be beneficial to your specific area. Specifically in the notification for five of your identified cities/county.

This feature provides the ability to see what’s going on in a certain area of the country. And since I travel, I always have the first slot in my list for home. This allows me to get any notification on stuff that could be happening at home.

The second, third, and fourth slot are for my family in Los Angles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Gotta keep an eye on the family no matter where they are. Plus an extra set of eyes from another part of the country is beneficial esp if they are sleeping at 0300 and it’s 0800 here.

Since I travel a fair amount, I usually reserve slot #5 (the last slot) for my work travel. Even though I may not be from Central City, I will always know the latest in dangers in my travel city.

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From critical tornado warnings or immediate evacuation tsunami warnings – I know I’ll be prepared for my location(s) specific disaster or emergency.

All of the information provided to you….FREE. That’s right-all the details are available to you for free. App is free. No charge from FEMA to download the app. No monthly fee. No recurring administrative charges.

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Ahhhh, safety for free.

I got your back.

More free tips tomorrow addressing specific hazards.

Reporting live from the third week!

@rusnivek

My well labeled mugs for coffee and hydration

Posted on September 12, 2020 by rusnivek

Last and final day of 2020 National Preparedness Month. All the best time to talk about your kits and stuff you gotta have in case of an emergency/disaster.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I am a staunch supporter of good travel mugs. My oldest mug is a Nissan Stainless mug from Japan that is about 25 years old and yes, it still keeps the coffee hot. However, I needed something that is spill proof as I usually keep things in my bellows pockets.

And the last thing I needed was to spill coffee in/on my pants.

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Stanley mugs that have been traveling and deploying out with me for the past 5 years. I usually carry two – one for my black coffee and the other for my water (also backup for coffee).

Best part? They have a lifetime warranty. LIFETIME BABY! I can attest that if something breaks, Stanley has committed to replacing things for free. I’ve had several tops of the travel mugs mechanically fail from normal use. Stanley has replaced each of them immediately and for free. No question from me that they definitely stand behind their product.

It is worth noting that you should consider labeling all of your stuff. ALL of your stuff. Something that is easy to spot in a large area and unique.

Stuff gets lost or acquired or stolen….so make sure your stuff is labeled and easily identified.

I can spot my things from across a large room…even in the dark.

Hope this week’s tips helped you plan out a better kit and equipment.

Reporting live with my favorite preparedness kit…

@rusnivek

September 11th 2020 – 19 years later.

Posted on September 11, 2020 by rusnivek

As we reflect on one of the darkest days in our country’s history, we remain thankful for the sacrifices and determination of everyone involved.

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2001 was almost two decades ago. Whoa.

Many have asked what I was doing on September 11th. You can read about it here.

Proud to have worked to support FDNY after the attacks primarily serving at 44 Engine in Midtown Manhattan.

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We dug at the pit but sad that our crew didn’t find a body to return to the families that lost everything.

Regardless of time, all Firefighters are proud to honor each of the fallen.

My 343 Brother Firefighters who died in the line of duty will never be forgotten.

Sign at FDNY Engine 10 Ladder 10 house "FDNY WAY, WAY BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY"

Tacked on the wall at 10s house

Fast forward to 2020, and we’re all having a rough year. But we as a nation must come together.

While it seems bad right now, we will persevere and overcome these challenges.

We will recover and rebuild because we’ve done it before. Trust me, I’ve been in One World Trade and it’s wonderful in there. Special thanks to my friends at FEMA Region II.

Thanks to Delia and the crew at FEMA Region-2!

…and the views was spectacular.

View of the Hudson River looking east from One World Trade Center

Statue of Liberty (south view) from One World Trade.

The view of West Street (north view) from One World Trade.

However, we will never forget the sacrifices heroes have paid for these freedoms we enjoy. At the base, of One World Trade sits the daily reminder – two incredible tributes to the victims of the September 11th attacks from the former WTCs.

Part of the September 11th Memorial in NYC.

Our colors don’t run. Our fight for freedom will will never waiver.

We has never been shy about being in front and fighting for what’s right. As you know, our nation has gone to the ends of the earth to ensure safety…and we hope to continue this Herculean effort to protect freedoms for decades to come.

“…and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”

America the beautiful, my home of the brave.

@rusnivek