It’s Saturday. I might have found my new wallpaper for the office.

Do you think my boss would approve? #ProllyNot

@rusnivek

As we continue our discussion in ICS-400, we compare Unified Command and the benefits of Area Command. In fact, we talk a bunch about the planning-P and how we use the same process to design the Incident Action Plan.

As situations get more complex, we continue to use the same planning process…that’s right, the ICS process is expandable and has the ability to flex up as needed for any response. This includes large-scale events too.

We also discuss how we can assign the responsibilities amongst all Command & General Staff members as we include all in the planning process.

As we wrap up the final FEMA ICS-400 capstone activity, we flushed out a few actionable items that will help all participants foster better relationships in challenging situations. Translated: disasters are tough so we have to make magic happen for our constituents.

Glad to have such a great class and solid participation from everyone this week.

Happy Aloha Friday everyone!

@rusnivek

Getting started on another new FEMA ICS-400 here at DuPage County OHSEM with a warm welcome from Sup Corey Mulryan.

A big part of this new 2019 rewrite of the ICS-400 course is more group work/activities that leverage participant information and experience with the Central City fictitious scenario. So as we compare experiences we want to hear from everyone on their possible solutions.

This activity based training allows Emergency Managers to think outside the box.

Additionally, as we are starting to see more complex disasters, we want to prepare many of our local public safety for the possibility for more dangerous situations. As you can see, a normal day-to-day emergency is described as a Type-5 incident. While a large complex disaster is considered a Type-1 incident. Usually locals can handle a Type-5, Type-4, and Type-3 incident with their on duty personnel and their mutual aid partners. Meanwhile, Type-2 and Type-1 disasters require more resources, personnel, and likely prolonged operations.

“That’s my type…that’s my type.” #TikTok

As we continue to foster solid discussion with our local and county pros, we start to see how integral it is for all participants to build professional relationships prior to any incident.

Great all-hazards discussion amongst all participants including a solid discussion on preparedness efforts. After all, it is the 2019 National Preparedness Month.

Looking forward to day-2 tomorrow!

@rusnivek

Lots to share here today as we roll into the final day of the FEMA FSC Course here at the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Huge discussions on closeout and demobilization. The emphasis was placed on unused resources AND underutilized resources. That’s right, if you are NOT needed, you can go home!

As we continued to talk about the efforts of the FSC, instructors shared this slide and quite honestly, it could relate to any of the positions in the IMT.

Maybe course creators were referencing the old school line of “FEMA flexible” right?

Lots of time was dedicated to personnel/performance evaluations.

The FSC has lotsa responsibilities pertaining to HR…so paperwork really does make the world go round. Additionally, the FSC position is more than just $$.

This entire week brought back memories when I was assigned as the FSC in a full-scale exercise where I had a TON of anxiety.

#TotalAnexiety

Now feeling more confident in the role of FSC.

As we neared the end of the day, like any other IMT course, there’s a post-test.

Did I pass? How many did I get wrong? And most importantly…did I beat Burrito who majored in finance in college?!?!? Well, here’s his expression.

Awwwww yeah. All smiles as we both passed the final exam. Phew.

Bonus points may have been awarded because #WeWearPinkOnWednesdays

Incident Commander=✅

Safety Officer=✅

Liaison Officer=✅

Public Information Officer=✅

Operations Section Chief=✅

Plans Section Chief=✅

Logistics Section Chief=✅

Finance Section Chief=✅

Now if I can only find an InI Chief class…

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the IMT Finance Section Chief course.

Looks like we have one long AF module all day long.

One day?!? One module?!? All day long? Here’s burrito’s look when he realizes that it’s only one module all day long.

Talking about the Cost Unit Leader, Procurement Unit, Time Unit, and the Compensation/Claims Unit.

We are holding it down today here at the Chicago Department of Public Health.

@rusnivek

This week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – it’s all about….

Money money money….MONEY!

That’s right, I have resisted for years but I am finally taking the AH NIMS ICS IMT Finance Section Chief Course. #FSC

Rusnivek and Burrito suppressing the classroom hysteria…

Shhhhh!!!

We are trying to concentrate!

Now how do I calculate the burn rate of a Type-1 FEMA Master PIO…

@rusnivek

People ask me why I don’t just work disasters.

People ask me why I teach classes.

People ask me why do I dedicate my time to the profession.

This. THIS.

I am always proud of all my participants who move along and capitalize on the knowledge shared in classes.

Work hard. Teach lots. Impart stuff. Inspire all.

Maybe I should make a TED talk about this stuff.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in the field working with us as our most trusted partners.

@rusnivek

Soooooo, today is the Raid on Area 51. The Facebook group that gandered all this interest is really…interesting. Not because of the actual action, but participants’ engagement as well as marketeer’s actions to bolster sales of widgets and services.

While I know many people are excited to break through a government facility, I would caution you to NOT BREAK THE LAW.

I don’t work at Area51.

I have never been to Area51.

I don’t know where Area51 is located.

I don’t have a pass to enter the gate into Area51.

**If you don’t have approved access to Area51, you should not attempt a break in.**

As for aliens? That is not my AOR.

However, maybe my meetings today will include this theme. Ha-I kill me!

Please don’t do anything illegal.

Follow the direction of local authorities.

Don’t do anything dumb.

Happy AlohaFriday peeps!

@rusnivek

Final day of ICS-300 and we continue to bring things together on day-3. We cover demobilization, evaluation, corrective actions, and of course After Action Reports (AARs). As for our class? I have been committed to sharing the most current examples and realistic actions from disasters. I was able to share my FEMA employee evaluation from my most recent deployment and share our demobilization procedures to help supplement the ICS forms that is discussed in the class.

Sharing your AAR is critical component of EM is key so that we can share our best actions as well as our toughest issues with others.

That’s right, lemme say that one more time: SHARE YOUR MISTEAKs…I mean MISTAKES!!! Don’t be shame. Be a professional. Because by sharing your mistakes, you are now contributing to the body of knowledge for all disaster response and recovery.

Does it suck to say you made a mistake? Yep! But aren’t you a professional and want improve our profession? Remember, a rising tide raises all ships.

After a spirited discussion, we started on our closed-book post-test.

A fun way to spend a Wednesday afternoon.

Back in the saddle here to serve our all-hazards statewide public safety providers.

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the new 2019 ICS-300 course. Everyone’s here to discuss ongoing operations for response and recovery – awesome!

A special guest stopped by our class too….

Shout out to Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s Acting Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau on addressing our class and rallying them to continue to train and collaborate.

It is always great to have leadership share some insight of the ongoing issues that are occurring statewide. In this case, TN shared how specifically ICS-300 applies to everyday operations for our all-hazards public safety professionals. Ongoing, as Illinois pushes through for the disaster declaration, how NIMS and ICS play into ICS-300 as many people work through flood recovery operations for so many communities across the State of Illinois.

Looking forward to day-3 in ICS-300!

@rusnivek