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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

About rusnivek

Emergency Services

Boots…with my suit

Posted on August 20, 2015 by rusnivek

Pondering a bunch today.

Specialization or not. That seems to be a common question for many of us. However, this is one that plagues Emergency Professionals all the time. We are required to be the Jack of all Trades and the Master of all…but the reality is that we collectively work and collaborate with other professionals to make things better. BTW-if you have been in my class, about now, the words All-Hazards planning should come to mind.

Personally, I seek the challenge of doing greater good. Yet, I am still conflicted by my white shirt. That’s my inner struggle. I’ve talked about it many times.

Like my forefathers before, the lead from the front mantra still rings true. I just have to find a way to wear my boots with my suit.

As Americans, we need to hold the values of all of our forefathers closer to our hearts. We need to focus on the real issues at hand…not just political rhetoric. I get it, but we don’t have the time to waste. We all need to be informed…like read more, speak less, and actively participate in our communities. Everywhere.

As a country, we need to be steadfast in our resolve for freedoms, support worthwhile good endeavors, and of course be vigilant in protecting this great nation.

Yup. I have a few big decisions coming up….I just hope I make the right ones.

@rusnivek

Have you seen @TSA Mr August #SafetySur

Posted on August 19, 2015 by rusnivek

Have you seen Mr. August?

Here’s my Uncle Pete doing some #SafetySur stuff for the official Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 2015 pocket calendar. Celebrity status for sure! So if you’ve been through the Honolulu International Airport, you’ve probably seen my Uncle (who has since been promoted to supervisory/management at TSA HNL).

If you were wondering, my Father and Uncle are proud Veterans who served their country. Yep, safety runs in my family’s blood…Safety runs in my blood. #SafetySur

Our family has always served this great country and I am extremely proud of all my family’s accomplishments and their continued vigilance on safety.

@rusnivek

Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

Posted on August 18, 2015 by rusnivek

Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

It was outstanding to see one of my all-time favorite ER Docs today in the Emergency Department – ladies and gents, I give you the prestigious Dr. Larry Glaude!

Many of you know that in public safety, friendships are forged that last a lifetime…and Dr. Glaude is a great example. So many great memories and of course epic stories to tell!

@rusnivek

Trump and I are doing this in August

Posted on August 17, 2015 by rusnivek

That reminds me…

…I have jury duty next week. Yes, we both are serving jury duty in August. Concidence? Hmmmm. Well, I definitely won’t be arriving to the court house in a limo.

Thanks to Trump for making a spectacle of every American’s civic duty.

Related note: The picture above is TOTALLY FAKE (My friends at CNN just rolled their eyes).

@rusnivek

Drive drunk and you will be arrested!

Posted on August 17, 2015 by rusnivek

Too many needless MVAs this weekend.

For the sake of all Public Safety and your family who loves you, please DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

And feel free to continually share safety messages like this often.

@rusnivek

This would be me on a Blue Angels flight

Posted on August 16, 2015 by rusnivek

IF I was ever given the chance to fly with the Blue Angels, this would totally be me.

“I was freaking out there for a second…”

Hope this brought a smile to your Sunday.

@rusnivek

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

Posted on August 14, 2015 by rusnivek

I popped back-to-back-to-back social media classes last week in Sacramento, California.

Participants from all over the west coast attended. Specifically for Thursday and Friday, FEMA reviewed our new curriculum courses. Yep, straight up evaluation. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Ongoing for course design, I will make a few more additions/changes before courses are sent to the National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) for certification. Hoping for final approval in November 2015. Hope to hear the magical words “Federally published” as my course is listed in the DHS / FEMA Training catalog. Whoa Nellie!

For the classes? We had great interaction from all participants.

Solid discussions during the breakout sessions included professionals from all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) as well as experts from the National Weather Service (NWS), Critical Infrastructure, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), etc… Diverse groups make for the best discussions for sure!

As part of our continued efforts in Emergency Management, it is imperative that we address issues from the All-Hazards approach and incorporate the support of our stakeholders in solutions.

With heavy discussion, class participants had a great time engaging with others and using tools/techniques that are specific to the Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Directorates. Obviously, I showcased the importance of a good Public Information Officer (PIO) / Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and how their interaction in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) is imperative to a successful emergency or disaster.

Also, starting to build an online learning library that can be easily accessed from anywhere using the #NDPTC is always good reference. Free. My favorite F-word.

Special mahalos to fellow Instructors Cheryl and MaryJo in the delivery of these courses.

Also the solid smiles from fellow #SMEM Jennifer and Scott was crucial support on this delivery.

Glad to be working with partners like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Truly great to see everyone working collaboratively. Thanks to the Sacramento County Emergency Management for hosting these courses.

Looking forward to the next class at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conference in Clark County, Nevada. See you there!

@rusnivek

Ever wonder why we call it AMBER Alert?

Posted on August 13, 2015 by rusnivek

Ever wonder why we call it AMBER Alert?

In January 1996, nine year old Amber Hagerman was riding her bicycle when a neighbor heard the girl scream. The neighbor saw a man pull Amber off her bike, throw her into the front seat of his pickup truck, and drive away at a high speed. The neighbor called police and provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle, but couldn’t recall much else. Arlington, Texas police and the FBI interviewed other neighbors and searched for the suspect and vehicle. Local radio and TV stations covered the story in their regular newscasts. Four days later, Amber’s body was found in a drainage ditch four miles away. Her throat had been cut. Her kidnapping and murder remain unsolved.

Amber Hagerman

A concerned citizen contacted a Dallas, Texas radio station suggesting the idea that Dallas radio stations should repeat news bulletins about abducted children just like they do severe weather warnings. The idea was presented to the general managers of the radio stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They agreed that such a program would provide an important public service and might help save the life of a child.

Although the Amber Plan is named after Amber Hagerman, this national program is dedicated to all children nationwide who’ve been abducted. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, nearly 262,100 children are abducted every year. Specifically, 58,200 are non-family abductions and 203,900 are family abductions.

The Amber Alert Plan was launched in Ohio on January 1, 2003.