Starting out another Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) Course with a quick hello from one of the state regional representative.

Additionally, we had a quick welcome from the local Jennings County Emergency Management Director Jerry Shepherd on the importance of the PIO function.

And of course a solid thank you from the State of Indiana’s SAA Elizabeth Westfall.

Did you know that I get to teach with my favorite PIO Instructor? She’s one of my favorite JIC Managers…

Ladies and gents…

Erica Creech!!!!!!

So we decided to jump right into the meat of the class.

Since we had lots of discussion in the FEMA Master PIO class and the FEMA Advanced PIO class as well as FEMA External Affairs leadership – we put heavy focus on the inverted pyramid for press release writing.

Knowing the area and the star PIOs, we opted to include the two more visible PIOs and leverage their years of experience to share with the participants – I invited Mike and Rita!

These two Fire Department PIOs are stars in their own area – while focused to help other PIOs in the business. So by facilitating an open discussion, we can help all attendees get a better view of the roles and responsibilities of a front line PIO.

Wayne Township Fire Department Captain Mike Pruitt has not only supported his department, but also FEMA USAR ISTs in deployments with me in Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith is a legend and one of the hardest working FD PIOs in the biz. Her attention to detail and fire updates is so critical to the success of IFD growth over many years.

Glad to have these goofballs spend some time with us and share their knowledge with our class.

Solid first day of the Basic PIO class.

Looking forward to day-2!

@rusnivek

Solid start to this morning’s JIC/JIS class in Delaware County.

Hot topics today will be creating joint messaging that is representative of all of our partners in public safety.

And yes, you know we work hard to craft coordinated concise messaging.

It is our job to get the right information…

To the right people….

At the right time…

So they can make the right decisions.

And this PIO magic can actually happen…..wait for it….in the Joint Information Center (JIC).

Love seeing so much collaboration going on!

Special thanks to Sean and Sandy who were instrumental in bringing this State of Ohio EMA course to our local partners in central Ohio.

Excited to see these new peeps use their new knowledge out in the wild.

Eric Burgess (@ejbdcems) “Have a Whole new respect for the #PIO role in ICS.”

You might want to read that again. Awwwwwww yeah baby!

Many mahalos to all participants who attended this week’s Basic Public Information Officers Course as well as the JIC/JIS class in Delaware County EOC.

Looking forward to working with all of you on the big one.

@rusnivek

Our benevolent overlords at FEMA EMI….aka our FEMA Master PIO Instructors decree that we don’t spend enough time on press releases. I find it hard to believe that many of the new PIOs don’t know how to write press releases…esp ones that are less than 140 characters. Ahem.

Sooooooo in complying with orders, we will spend some time focusing in on press releases.

Most important facts at the top…

…then a few supporting facts…

…followed by less important facts…

…and then maybe some background info.

Octothorpe Octothorpe Octothorpe

Mid morning, we switched gears to TV media as we reviewed all interviews.

Here’s Ohio EMA’s very own Tristan Morath showcasing his newly acquired skills for the class.

His empathy to the injured and compassion to the deceased were great, and the bonus points for his community call to action were outstanding.

Great to see so many OEMA peeps getting training in Emergency Management class with our local providers.

Got a special music request for tomorrow morning along with other social media extras for the class. Also, sharing the good vibes of StratComm before we let out today.

So excited and glad to see an engaged class with so much participation.

@rusnivek

Starting off the morning right in Delaware County, Ohio for Day-1 of the FEMA OEMA Basic Public Information Officer Course.

Starting this full class of well networked PIOs – this is gonna be fun!

And also a welcome introduction by Delaware County EMA’s Director Sean Miller.

You know we did some interviews making sure our cadre of central Ohio PIOs are ready for any reporter.

Additionally, we spent time sharing our experiences not only in disasters…but also daily operations.

Disasters are not daily….but we must all remain vigilant in our preparedness efforts.

As the bonus kernel of fun, I made this joke in class. Sadly, only one person laughed.

At least you know, #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink #April25

Looking forward to the rest of the week training our Ohio PIOs!

@rusnivek

Stopped by the 2018 Fire Department’s Instructors Conference (aka FDIC) in Indiana today.

Yeah yeah yeah, I had some FOMO for sure.

On arrival to the Hands On Training (HOT) area, I found the OIC running the joint.

Glad to see Capt Mike Pruitt again.

In fact, the last time I saw him was on our deployment to Hurricane Irma (2017). Here we are taking a look at the FEMA USAR maps for grid searching and other activities.

Seems like forever ago, but like we have always said, “In our line of work, it’s a small world.”

Lots of burning going on as participants continued to work on tactics so that they become almost muscle memory.

Various types of trainings going on including flashover simulators, extrication, hoseline advancement, ventilation, and of course teamwork.

At the end of the training, everyone pitches in to help inservice all the pieces of equipment.

Also helps to have the PIO there to take a few pictures and share with their communities on how departments are constantly training.

All. The Time.

Well, I hope all my fire friends will be taking in more classes than beverages.

It is imperative that we continue to be studious and learn and grow.

We all have lots to learn from each other.

@rusnivek

Just follow the yellow brick road…Just follow the yellow brick road…Just follow the yellow brick road…

Welp, looks like I got some exploring to do on this Munday morning.

Paperwork can wait till the afternoon! Sorta.

@rusnivek

I see Hawaii Governor Ige and FEMA R-9 Regional Administrator Bob Fenton got a chance to survey the damages in Kauai from the most recent flooding.

Looks like they got an early bingo punch for the disaster score card with the rotor-wing view.

Bob is always smiling!

@rusnivek

Well, it’s officially the weekend so be nice to each other as you party like a rockstar.

“Uniform Alpha to 13. Good Day”

So peeps – you are cleared for takeoff to the weekend.

@rusnivek

Simple press conferences? Each group took different approaches to their delivery.

One of the PIOs were firm on the time schedule so that it kept reporters who often ask rather weird questions on track.

Some were a bit more passive, but because of the scenario, most groups opted for a stronger bold press conference.

Our group? We targeted our messaging to our specified audience.

We planned for questions that the media could ask us.

You won’t believe it, they opted to put me in to represent the police PIO.

Bee doo bee doo indeed.

We opted for a more friendly approach and we were firm on our evacuation orders as well our issued BOLO.

Don’t worry, both instructors said I improved in my media speaking topics. #AlwaysLearning right? Gotta represent like a pro!

Class was fun and lots to learn from others attending esp those who were involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline event. Many thanks to all my fellow NIMS ICS All-Hazards PIOs from across the country who attended this course.

Special thanks to these two Master PIO Instructor goofballs.

See you soon on the next big disaster.

@rusnivek