Author Archives: rusnivek

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Emergency Services

Day-2 of the 2015 Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management conference for the Disaster Recovery course

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Second and final day of Disaster Recovery here at the Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management Conference. As the lead instructor, it’s game time peeps!

I started the class out with some FEMA videos on the #Katrina10 recovery operation ongoing for Louisiana. They encompassed topics like whole community, public-private partnership, Faith-based organizations, and of course Fire/EMS public safety from SBPFD.


I then started laying the groundwork in the class for the end of day capstone recovery exercise.


But before lunch, I was requested to instruct in the adjacent room and teach the live video section of the KY Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) Course for Mike and Buddy. Addressing platforms and uses for situational awareness/common operating picture.


Nice to see some new PIOs in front of a camera. They did fairly well.

After lunch, we did some work with forms and cost recovery with Judge Bertram.


Overall, everyone had a great time learning and collaborating ideas for future Post Disaster Recovery plans. I’m looking forward to seeing Kentucky’s success in their enhanced recovery process now.

Special thanks to the Kentucky Emergency Management Office, KESC, and Ohio EMA for the invite and allowance to speak to all 38 Emergency Management Directors, 2 EM coordinators, 1 EM planner, 1 USAR, 1 lawyer, and 1 county executive. I’m also so glad to have the largest class at the conference too.

In anticipation for AlohaFridays, they broke out their best Aloha on a Thursday afternoon…Just. For. Me.

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My new peeps! Reporting live from Kentucky…

@rusnivek

Recovery is the most challenging part of the disaster response cycle

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Recovery is the most challenging part of the disaster response cycle.
  
It is incumbent upon us as emergency managers to support our communities after a major emergency or disaster.   
You must utilize all of our resources so that we can bring a sense of normalcy back. 

And if you have been following Twitter, you can see that I’m making Disaster Recovery #SexyBack

  
@rusnivek

Its dangerous working with prop aircraft use #NatlPrep

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It’s dangerous working with propeller aircraft use #NatlPrep

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No joke-do not walk into the props!

Safety is always the first priority when doing air operations of any kind.

The general public should take the time to watch the news and find out the areas that have active air operations. Stay clear of those areas.

Also probably a good time to remind you about these things.

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Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

CKYhdyqUMAQdNj1

@rusnivek

This DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) makes large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

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Specialty aircraft like this DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) make large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

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I got a chance to see this aircraft up close when I was at McClellan airport.

It’s amazing how air professionals can take older resources and make them into something that can help so many.

Making sure we expend all resources and their effectiveness is key for any emergency or disaster response.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

CKYhdyqUMAQdNj1

@rusnivek

California has an all-hazards response to wildfires #NatlPrep

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California has working closely w/ the National Guard to provide support to wildland firefighters.

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Here’s a C-130 retrofitted slightly differently to carry different payloads to support operations. This year’s wildfires are bad. Glad that many partners in public safety have trained and exercised closely together to prepare for such an occasion.

Working in consort, this all-hazards response is making a difference every day.

So support or join your local National Guard. You could be on the front lines!

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

CKYhdyqUMAQdNj1

@rusnivek

2015 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

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2015 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

FEMA has announced the winners of the 2015 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, recognizing the outstanding efforts of individuals, programs, and organizations throughout the country working to prepare their communities for emergencies.  These awards highlight innovative practices and campaigns that have made outstanding contributions toward making communities safer, better prepared, and more resilient. This year, FEMA asked applicants to highlight accomplishments that took place between January 1, 2014 and April 10, 2015.

“Effective emergency management requires commitment, teamwork and engagement by the entire community before disasters occur,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “I congratulate the individuals and organizations that embody these ideals. Through their hard work and dedication, they are making our nation stronger and safer.”

The 11 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award recipients will be recognized on September 8, 2015 in Washington, D.C. During the recognition ceremony, recipients will share their experiences, success stories, and lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders.

A complete list of the recipients and the honorable mentions for each category is available at: http://www.ready.gov/citizen-corps/citizen-corps-awards. Award recipients by category are as follows:

  • Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award: Ready New York, NYC Citizen Corps, NYC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
  • Community Preparedness Heroes Award: Craig Wolfe and Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee Members
  • Awareness to Action Award: City of Henderson (Nevada) Get READY! Stay READY! Campaign
  • Technological Innovation Award: Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, Geographic Information System/Information Technology Working Group
  • Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness Award: Alabama Be Ready Camp
  • Fifth Annual Recipients of the John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award: Ready Montana Program and Spartanburg County Office of Emergency Management (South Carolina)
  • Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives Award: Orange County, California Community Emergency Response Team Mutual Aid Program
  • Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program Award: New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps
  • Excellence in Volunteer Sustainability Award: City of Irvine Community Emergency Response Team (California)

Congratulations to all the award recipients and honorable mentions! You continue to make your communities and the Nation proud!

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