Author Archives: rusnivek

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Emergency Services

FEMA Basic PIO – day 2 with media!

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Day-2 of the FEMA Basic PIO course here at DuPage County OHSEM and I wanted to pay my respects…..I mean focus in a bit on press releases.

While just one tool in the tool box, press releases were the primary way to get the info out to media partners about 15 years ago.

Yes, don’t ask. I remember writing my first press release. And no, it wasn’t good.

I am old AF.

However, we wanted to share the dangers of writing bad press releases…so I opted to share one of my favorite ones from Cleveland.

Thanks LeBron.

Mid-morning stop as we open our class up for our media panel.

(L to R)

Daily Herald (@dailyherald) Justin Kmitch (@JustinKmitchDH)

NBC Chicago (@NBCChicago) Chris Coffey (@ChrisCoffeyNBC)

WGN News (@WGNNews) Shannon Halligan (@ShanHalligan)

Lots of discussion including field PIO questions, staging areas, no comment, availability, and of course the dreaded “off the record” conversation. These kinds of conversations are incredibly important as we continue to network with others and enhance our relationships with our partners in the media. Also tweeting from the front of the class is totally acceptable too.

We also had some discussion about the outstanding work that the Aurora Police Department did during their active shooter incident in February. Kudos to all involved including the six new Police PIOs who were immediately pressed into service on their first day of being PIOs.

Literally “Learn it today, use it this afternoon.”

I’ve heard some great panel discussions, but the straight forward information in this panel was refreshing and honest.

I even pressed – if a PIO says to you “No comment” how does that make you feel? Justin’s comment was poignant and worth hearing.

Stay tuned for that interview to be published on #MediaMinutes.

We closed out the day reviewing the interviews and had solid conversations around social media.

Special thanks to our Media Panel guests from the media,

Outstanding class with all our participants!

@rusnivek

 

 

FEMA Basic PIO Day-1

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Starting off another FEMA G0290: Basic PIO course with our public safety pros from across the state!

I am fortunate to grab a few other PIOs for class today – suit up!

Aside from sharing concepts and theory, we also focused on interview skills…

…you know we did the oncamera interviews.

No bones about it, our mantra is to provide the best real-world training out there.

Lots of discussion on staging as well as single role PIOs and what they can do to get the ball rolling.

We also integrated a few activities and exercises into the mix too.

Don’t worry, we took some time to discuss communications strategies. We shared the 8-step communications model and introduced StratComms!

Planning ahead is always a good thing – esp for PIOs. Preparedness is essential in being a good PIO.

Successful first day with everyone. Looking forward to a solid day-2!

@rusnivek

ICS-400 at OHSEM

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Big start to another ICS-400 course here at DuPage County OHSEM! Kicking things off is Director Snow!  

As you can imagine, we have a diverse group with lots to share.

Not only talking about response, but we also discussed recovery as the most challenging part of disasters.

No doubt, It is really our job as Emergency Managers to better prepare our communities to be more resilient after a disaster.

Look closely, you can see people smiling in an ICS class. It’s not folklore, it’s real. Get yourself a good instructor and see what happens.  

Bringing everyone together in a collaborative environment can only provide great benefits for all.

Small or big, rich or poor, our class has great participants from all over the state.

Glad to have participants from countless cities from across Illinois attending.

Looking forward to Day-2 tomorrow!

@rusnivek

 

Canada Goose is fashionable into response clothing?!?

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Am I the only one without a Canadian Goose jacket that costs a kabillion dollars?!!??! Why does everyone wear their stuff?

And of course I get these types of fashion ads.

Wait….is that what I think it is?

Does it have pockets for patches or ID tabs like my 511 jacket?

Does it?!!?!

Is response fashionable now?

Is covert now fashionable?

I’ve got soooooooooo many questions.

@rusnivek

DNA Item Collection Checklist

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Doesn’t everyone spend a bit of time worrying about washing the DNA off your hands?

Doesn’t everyone start their morning read with “After a mass fatality incident…”

Look, let’s be real honest – this isn’t exciting, but completely necessary esp to deal with the challenges of disaster response and recovery.

I can confirm:

  • Emergency Management is not your typical 9-5 job.
  • The nature of our job is to make sense out of non-sense.
  • We must organize chaos into a coordinated response.
  • We are tasked to building relationships where none exist.

But good Emergency Managers? You’ll see them thrive in this environment and often excel in adversity.

You’ll know when you see one.

@rusnivek

More EM staff IntraOp Radio Comms training

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Concreting our IntraOp radio comms training today with our staff.

Enhancing the message and now assuring our partners get the right message in a timely fashion is so important.

Train like you fight right?

“Air Branch from Ops Section Chief: I”m going to need four type two rotor-wing assets to arrive at the helistop at 1800. How do copy?”

You know our staff – we ain’t messing around.

@rusnivek

ICS for Executives/Senior Officials

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What a morning as we kick off the FEMA ICS-402: ICS for Executives/Senior Officials!

Even got a rare class visit from Director Snow on the start today.

 

Suit up as we continue to explain the need for ICS and share the values a coordinated response. And yes, if you are going to ask, I once created an IAP thiiiiiiis big…  

Proud to have leadership from various organizations including our own DuPage County Board Members Dawn DeSart and Sheila Rutledge.

Great class and looking forward to more with our partners.

@rusnivek