And there’s the official FEMA HQ standby call at 1540…

#PIO Mount up!

Dear Hurricane Lane: For the sake of my family in Hawaii, I hope you disappear.

Sincerely

@rusnivek

Kicking off Cheryl Bledsoe’s favorite course Social Media Engagement Strategies!

Glad to see a few old friends here at the State of Mississippi EMA. Hiya Tina!

In this class, we talk a bunch about strategy and how we can focus our efforts for maximum outputs. Yes, writing SMART Objectives are not only for ICS and Incident Commanders, but are also for astute social media pros.

So give me your SMART Objectives please!

Now we continue to build on those SMART social media objectives and then roll them into a strategy that any emergency manager can use for their agency.

Proud of the work done here at the State of Mississippi EMA. Looking forward to seeing their work put into play very soon.

No doubt, Mississippi has had it fair share of disasters. BTW-this is an example of the amount of tornado activity and path they took from 1950-2016.

Whoa is right.

Empowering locals as well as state officials will only better their response capabilities. This will ultimately lead to better cohesion esp through communications during disaster response and recovery.

Proud to serve my fellow Emergency Management Pros and look forward to working with all of you during the next big disaster or emergency.

@rusnivek

And now for my favorite class ever….Social Media Tools and Techniques!!!!!

Time to get your search on and yes, group work is mandatory in this class.

And as the bonus, I brought all the fun PIO toys too.

Yes, that is the famous #PIOStick – deployable and relatively economically feasible for doing all kinds of PIO work out in the field.

Groups discussed preparedness messaging using all kinds of tools including a few to make your messaging more 508 compliant.

We also discussed critical response messaging because time is critical esp to those who have to evacuate immediately.

Our class also formulated rumor control all-hazard messaging specifically designed for crisis management – because rumors are a huge problem during any disaster or emergency. Here’s an example of the FBI pros working closely with local public safety partners to have a joint message push.

Glad to see so many local, county, state, and Federal agencies participating in today’s class. Even more proud to see their willingness to work together now BEFORE a disaster.

And that my friends, is the true magic behind why I teach these classes.

See you on the next big one.

@rusnivek

Kicking off another Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery at the State of Mississippi Emergency Operations Center!

Introduction and welcome by the Fusion Center Director Jenny Williams.

Excited to share the benefits of social media for all of our partners here today from Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Maryland.

And not to worry, keeping an eye on Hurricane Lane and bad weather here in Mississippi too.

Let’s get this social media magic started.

@rusnivek

Sunday finds…the State of Mississippi’s DMAT Trailers.

Oooooooooo, disaster medical stuff!

@rusnivek

Better saddle back up as I’m back on the national assignment today.

Region 5 to Region 4 in 3…2…1…

@rusnivek

Talking refuse and garbage today…

Again, I can’t stress enough about the importance of having a debris management plan BEFORE a disaster.

There are various cost sharing opportunities and specific paperwork that needs to be approved prior to a disaster so it would behoove you to be ahead of the disaster and get your debris management plans in order.

On this one, plans lead the way.

FYI-ESF-3: Public Works is an incredible resource for this one.

@rusnivek

I realize that I need to spruce up my office a bit…

Yeah, I’ll have to work on that next week.

And maybe 6 more screens too. (Too soon?)

@rusnivek

Night views cause I’m back at it w/ a new crew. Popping smoke for tomorrow’s big announcement.

@rusnivek