Author Archives: rusnivek

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Emergency Services

Last day ICS-300 at DWFD

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Day-3 and final day of ICS-300 here at Darien Woodridge Fire.

Lots of discussion on collaboration and teamwork esp in a crisis/emergency. And bringing our partners to the table with a solid understanding of a coordinated all-hazards response is crucial to a successful response/recovery.

Many of the scenarios in the new 2019 version of ICS-400 are based on real-life events which make it easier to parle the teaching points.

Either way, the capstone activity brings all factions together. Regardless of Public Works, Fire, EMS, Police, Health Department, Government officials, heck even out of state response officials, we can now work more cohesively together in disaster response/recovery.

Special thanks to Fire Chief Gorsky and all the fire shifts at DWFD for the warm hospitality this week.

Happy AlohaFriday everyone!

Hope to see you next week for ICS-400!

@rusnivek

It’s all smiles in day-2 of ICS-300 at DWFD

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Starting off our day-2 of ICS-300 here at DWFD with Jake and Elwood!

You know those two jokers executed their plans…to get the band back together.

This morning, we are joined by another representative from Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Region 4 Trainer Wendell Brewer!

Hope to lean on his recent expertise as a MEPP throughout the day.

Additionally, I got several inquiries on training that pertains to timely and proximity to the holidays (specifically any classes in December).

Look, it’s only December 6th. You need to calm down. You’re being too loud.

In short, disasters don’t take holidays or extended vacations. And neither do we. I am proud to see so many public safety partners attending our class from across the country.

Today, we hit the Planning P in full force as we brief our partners with the deets on the tactics meeting. We also dive deep on how important the ICS forms are (esp the 215 and 215A) for all tacticians and deployed personnel. I believe these two forms are critical to every single Incident Action Plans (IAP).

And for those that took ICS courses and thought they were boring and a waste of time or had poor instruction….that’s your fault.

Here’s proof that ICS participants, if provided solid instruction, can enjoy training and smile throughout class. I would say that the smiles probably help nurture transparent and dynamic conversation in class to solve legit problems that face any government agency. Sooooooo critical for any agency leader.

So go ahead and continue to complain about your experiences. Perhaps you just haven’t found an agency that provides solid instructors with real-world experiences that nurtures coordination and collaboration.

And as a true marker that I believe what we teach is impactful in all of our communities, I submit my sock choice for today. If we as leaders of our organization do not plan accordingly, we will likely become extinct.

Rawr.

Reporting live from the front of the class…

@rusnivek

Day 1 of ICS-300 at DWFD

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Midweek start to our FEMA IEMA DuPage Co OHSEM ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents at Darien Woodridge Fire Department Station 89!

And since it’s the holidays, I thought a little Mariah would be appropriate

🤣

Special thanks to Fire Chief Gorsky on the warm hospitality to all of our participants from across the country.

This week, I am fortunate to have Illinois EMA Region 7 Trainer Richard Williams along for the instructor ride.

Great to hear about his military experiences and how they used ICS. Additionally, lots of info to share on his assignment to the southern Illinois flooding this year.

And since I’m teaching with IEMA staff, I thought it would be appropriate to wear my Illinois socks.

Reporting live from Station 89…

@rusnivek

IPEM? Yep!

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When I was deployed this summer with FEMA for the disaster response in Nebraska, I totally missed the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) awarding me my official Illinois Professional Emergency Manager certification/designation.

Whohooooooooo – IPEM!

Special thanks to DHS/FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for their support in this process.

Reporting live from Illinois…

@MEPIrusnivek 😆

How is it December already?

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Can”t believe it’s already December as we pack in these full classes to count in 2019.

First week we have ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command for Expanding Incidents at Darien Woodridge Fire Department (DWFD). Glad to continue to build the foundation of Emergency Management with our partners in public safety.

Second week we are doing the ICS-400: Advanced ICS course at DWFD as we continue to support our locals and others from across the country. Additionally, I will be popping a FEMA G0291 Joint Information Center course at the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). Looking forward to the completely full course.

Third week with another downtown bunch of meetings and of course we got inventory of stuff. All the stuff.

Fourth week as we close out 2019 with lots to recap and summarize for our leadership. Soooooooooo basically, it’s all about my TPS reports here.

In short, I’m just glad to have my training plan laid out for 2020.

Hope to see you in a disaster…I mean in the classroom soon.

@rusnivek

Deep frying a turkey! #DFT2019

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Happy Thanksgiving all!

Today, I could die…because I am deep frying a turkey!

Yeah yeah, I know there are some dangers with deep frying a turkey. So let’s give this a whirl. Esp keeping in mind that we will NOT be deep frying a frozen turkey.

Yeah, I saw a few redic YouTube videos.

I don’t want to be that kind of famous.

I decided to break out my turnout gear as some personal protective gear because it’s kinda hard to predict a vat of bubbling oil.

I also bought peanut oil and ONLY peanut oil for the fryer.

Not going to lie, starting the fryer, I got excited.

As I dunked the turkey in, I dropped it in very slowly. If you decide to make a three point dunk, your turkey will likely splash all the super hot peanut oil all over the place, and hot oil isn’t good for your Thanksgiving look.

And a few options if things get too hot thanks to my handy halligan tool.

Yep, one of my favorite tools. (The other favorite tool is the Talon hook). Forcible entry AND turkey prep FTW!

Our turkey turned out awesome so here’s some easy tips that you can use to ensure your family’s safety when deep frying a turkey.

Tip-1: Dunk your turkey in and out slooooooooooly. Allowed less splashing and spillage.

Tip-2: Use 100% real peanut oil for deep frying. If you have a blend, the smoke point of the oil mixture may change. Translated, it could go kaboom at various temperatures. Pure oil allows for a stable and predictable and higher smoke point (than other commonly used oils).

Tip-3: Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for turkey safety. No matter the situation, always be prepared – including fire gloves!

Tip-4: I had my favorite halligan and charged hose line (water hose) – just in case things got out of hand.

Tip-5: Heed all safety warnings and watch plenty of YouTube videos because you should be 100% dedicated to this deep frying event. PAY ATTENTION!

Tip-6: Make sure you are a tad late for Thanksgiving turkey dinner time. Grand entrance AND everyone is TOTES hungry.

Tip-7: Thaw and dry your turkey dayzzzzzzzz before you drop it into the boiling hot peanut oil starting at 375.

Tip-8: Have a battle turkey buddy that can help you out with your 🦃 drying and frying tactics. Extra set of eyes and hands with gloves is a huge help. Additionally, huge bonus points if your battle turkey buddy is a board certified residency trained Emergency Medicine Physician and EMS Medical Director.

Follow these tips to ensure your deep fried turkey actions go well.

Successful #DFT2019 – Happy thanksgiving everyone.

We all have much to be thankful for this year.

@rusnivek

The afternoon module-11 links

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Module 11: Recovery links

Slide-5: National Disaster Recovery Framework

 

Slide-10: Recovery Support Functions

 

Slide-14: Successful recovery includes AARs and IPs! Few examples of what a AAR/IP process looks like

 

Slide-31: FEMA Activity in the Field: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2017/11/30/disaster-survivor-assistance-teams-going-door-to-door-yes-they-are-dsat/

 

11-21-19: National Disasters? https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDHSFEMA/2019/11/21/file_attachments/1329222/FEMA%20Daily%20Ops%20Briefing%2011-21-2019.pdf

 

Slide-44: Coping with Disaster: https://www.fema.gov/coping-disaster

 

Emergency communications vehicles in transit to Puerto Rico to support communications for search & rescue, medical, and other federal teams. Credit: Jeff Sandlin