About rusnivek

Emergency Services

All-Hazards participants in today’s class in South Dakota

Posted on June 11, 2015 by rusnivek

Here for the class today. Numerous all-hazards responders including US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), US Forestry Service, FireAttack T-1/2 AHIMTs, local law enforcement, infrastructure, utilities, public safety comms, PIOs, healthcare, Tribal agencies, and Emergency Management professionals from South Dakota.

Nothing gets in the way of good training!

In breaking for lunch just now, participants asked if the fella over there with the hella good hair had any Taylor Swift.

Yes, I’m a very accommodating instructor – no problem!

Reporting live from the EOC…FEMA Region-8 baby!
@rusnivek

Hanging with some of the best Presidents

Posted on June 10, 2015 by rusnivek

Just hanging with a few of the best Presidents of our great country.

#Merica #Murica #POTUS

Special thanks to the US Department of the Interior specifically the National Park Service who upkeeps so many national landmarks.

Reporting live from Region-8 baby!
@rusnivek

Merick named Executive Director of Ohio Emergency Management Agency #OEMA

Posted on June 10, 2015 by rusnivek

Sima Merick was named as the Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Previous Executive Director Evan Schumann now serves as the Deputy Director of OEMA.

The primary mission of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency is to coordinate activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. This mission is carried out by closely interfacing with local, state and federal agencies in an effort to bring resources of recovery and support to Ohioans impacted by the disaster. In addition to disaster response and recovery, Ohio EMA agency activities include: education, training, planning and preparedness – strengthening Ohio’s first responder capabilities and improving communication across the state.
@rusnivek

You gotta be jetting me…

Posted on June 9, 2015 by rusnivek

You gotta be jetting me…..

Totally kidding…but safety first! Doing my best “steps and skids” walkaround for today’s flight.

This n00b is heading to FEMA Region-8 today!

@rusnivek

FSC SUR? WTH?!?

Posted on June 8, 2015 by rusnivek

There are days when you are comfortable in your space.

There are days when you feel uncomfortable in your space.

Then there are the days that you feel completely out of place and are trying like hell to survive. This moment was one of them.

That time I was put into a FSC role. Yep, I said I was assigned as the Finance Section Chief. Holy Mary Mother of God! As you guessed, I do not typically serve as the FSC so this was definitely out of my comfort zone. However, I was told that I needed to diversify my roles and try something new. Clearly, sink-or-swim time.

From the evaluators, I did an excellent job and navigated my section through several tough challenges. I am proud of my crew who filled their F/A roles extremely well. Hell yeah!

Special thanks to TEEX for an excellent course everyone should be required to attend.

What did I learn? Make sure you take the time to look inwards and see where growth is needed. Comfortable is easy. Challenging situations allow leaders to shine.

Be a leader.

@rusnivek

You know it…Home of the brave!

Posted on June 7, 2015 by rusnivek

Despite the negative outlook that the national media paints for viewers near and far, it isn’t all bad. Truthfully, because it is easier to share, negativity will only nurture ill will and infect those around you like the plague.

The future of America, my America, lies within and it is our mission we are successful. It is ingrained in each of our souls because…we are Americans and no matter the odds, we fight for what’s right. No matter the dangers, we will continue our plight for freedom that no other nation is willing to offer.

We must continue to promise that the freedom in our hearts will be shared with the world and our dedication to our forefather’s dreams will be honored for centuries to come.

You know it…the home of the brave!

@rusnivek

Tagging a hydrant…wait a minute

Posted on June 6, 2015 by rusnivek

On the scene, tagging a hydrant. Wait a minute….

Preplan your AORs because businesses do creative things with stuff.

@rusnivek

June 2015 and my first visit to Region-8

Posted on June 5, 2015 by rusnivek

June will be a lighter schedule as I wind down on a few projects.

First week: I’ll be at the OEMA Basic Public Information Officers course including the JIC/JIS part. On camera interviews for everyone! (Region-5)

Second week: I am assigned to South Dakoka. My first time in FEMA Region-8 baby!

Third week: I will be in Florida (Region-4) piloting FEMA/NDPTC new social media presentation.

Fourth week: I’ll be back in Ohio and I *might* be working in an EOC or a field ICP.

Quieter month huh?

@rusnivek

OEMA Basic Public Information Officer training – camera time!

Posted on June 4, 2015 by rusnivek

Aside from the great classroom learning and building of networks, the on camera interviews are always hard to prep.

Our Basic Public Information Officers Course helps those who have NEVER been in front of a camera, actually see themselves.

We do on-camera interviews. Yep. Camera time! Members from local Fire Departments participated.

This included Chief Fire Officers from the suburbs too.

Agents from the ATF spoke very well.

Staff from USCG District 9 in Buffalo.

And of course members from the local law enforcement too.

Classroom critiques are always difficult to watch, but that kind of constructive evaluation helps those PIOs become better communications professionals.

I encourage all PIOs and PAOs to train regularly in front of a camera.