Author Archives: rusnivek

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Emergency Services

The FEMA #PIO on #PirateRadio! Is that real? #FBF

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I was asked if Pirate Radio was real….yeppers!


Pirate Radio based in the Florida Keys-Key West has a strong voice that not only hits audiences throughout the keys, but also into southern Florida too. They stream their shows so that any Pirate can listen in…even when yer a landlubber!


I was a regularly contributor to their morning shows with daily Hurricane Irma disaster updates. We also brought other public safety agencies in with us to showcase the unified efforts of countless government agencies involved and how we are all working together in the response/recovery effort.


Additionally, I was invited to be a regular guest on their Friday morning show to talk about the DHS/FEMA response and recovery efforts for the Florida Keys. Not only talking about the Florida Keys, but also the millions of $$ in financial support approved for the State of Florida.


Remember, AM/FM radio stations are a critical source of information in a disaster. After a disaster, cell service might be down, sat tv might be out, and it is highly likely that your neighborhood may not have power. Post-disaster, plan on AM/FM radio being a solid source of information.

Many mahalos to both gracious Pirate Radio hosts – Jack and Kim!

@rusnivek

Stopped by Amazon Day-1 for a quick tour and a banana!

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Got a chance to swing by Amazon Day-1 to say hi to a few friends.


And if you are going to ask, we did NOT meet in the new Amazon Spheres.


However, I did see the famous Banana stand – It’s totes real!!!!!

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Aside from their new drone delivery (Amazon Air), there was lots of discussion on the new Amazon HQ2 location.

Yo Jeff, I got some ideas.


Special thanks to Suz and G-crew for the quick tour and banana.


Now, about that Amazon Fire thingy…

@rusnivek

Day 2 of class for US and Canada enhanced border security initiative through training

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Another packed day of class to support the Department of Homeland Security border initiative.


We are talking tools and techniques that can help public safety better adddress disaster response. But while simple searches are good, we can see there are benefits on aggregating information from a host of other places. As an example, Alisha talked a bunch on listening to specific audiences on Reddit…


…we talked about crisis mapping and apps that can better prepare you for “stuff”. Data visualization are pretty things will always be helpful.


This class we push collaboration esp when it comes down to strategic / coordinated all-hazards messaging…and hashtags.


We also promote the use of new technologies to overcome the mis-information that is readily found online. Empowering officials and Public Information Officers to break news themselves is critical because in a crisis, time is of the essence. 


Showcased the ability of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as well as the flexibility of the Joint Information Center (JIC) for everyone to coordinate actions, share similar plans, and ultimately have the coordinated messages across the board so that we can be a unified front in the face of a disaster. 


Without a doubt, this Tools and Techniques course is still my favorite course to teach.

Proud to serve my fellow Emergency Management constituents here on the northern border initiative. Also proud to include our partners from Canada Public Safety as we share our border protection plans for everyone’s safety. 

It worked for the previous DHS border protection initiative and I am confident in the skills and techniques shared with all participants will only be of benefit to those with safety in mind.

Looking forward to a successful upcoming FSE between the US and Canada.

@rusnivek

Supporting the US and Canada border protection initiative through training

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Working the social media magic yesterday to support the upcoming US and Canada initiative for border protection!


Full class as we discussed how so many public safety agencies can use social media for emergency communications during a disaster. Also our partners from Canada provided a different view as we promote cross-border safety efforts including gathering and sharing intelligence with all responders for increased Situational Awareness/Common Operating Picture (SA/COP).


As we got into the Twitter and Instagram sections, a special visitor had a few words to share on the importance of animals on social media.


Great day at the Whatcomm Unified Emergency Communications Center. 


Fun stuff especially with so many functions represented in class.

@rusnivek

Reviewing performance evaluations for Hurricane Irma’s response

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Spending my Sunday reading through paperwork, demobilization emails, and my performance evaluations from Hurricane Irma’s disaster response.


“Mr. Sur is “a model for the agency.'” – FEMA Division Supervisor Mark Landry (Federal Coordinating Officer cadre).

*blush*

Just glad to be a part of the FEMA disaster response to help my fellow Americans.

@rusnivek

Demobilized from Hurricane Irma, now headed back out again

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I just demobilized from Hurricane Irma. Total of 42 days.

One thought as I repack: I have never worked so hard and had to use ALL my learned PIO skills and tricks in just one disaster.

Few hours to make the turnaround in Cleveland.

Now headed to support another DHS mission with the US and Canada.


Evoking the famous quote from Ray Stantz: “Oh, I got to get some sleep, I’m dying.”

@rusnivek

Moving another DRC in the Florida Keys

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In efforts to best serve the communities that were hardest hit by Hurricane Irma, we (FEMA) moved the Marathon Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to a new location


As you guessed it, this new DRC has much easier access to the highway.

6805 Overseas Highway in Marathon, Florida

Stop on by to update your records and/or check on your status for disaster assistance.


Reporting live from the new DRC location in Marathon…

@rusnivek

Disaster communications – FEMA’s MCOVs and IRVs

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When major disasters strike, many local communities lose the ability to communicate.


Whether hardline communications, cellular service, or data – communications is the life blood of any public safety initiative.

So vehicles like FEMA’s MCOVs and IRVs provide a great service re-establishing disaster communications for areas who have nothing.



MCOV: Mobile Communications Office Vehicle

IRV: Incident Response Vehicle

Several vehicles like this are currently deployed out supporting various missions now.

Fun fact, did you know these types of vehicles are

Everything about disaster response isn’t easy. I continue to share that logistics make the world go round.

@rusnivek

Aerial operations is critical in a Type-1 disaster #PIO

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Large type-1 disasters are complex. Not only complexity but in pure size.

In the Florida Keys, destruction was not just limited to houses and commercial structures, but he Category-4 storm + storm surge + possible tornadic events affected so many ships and vessels.

Aerial operations are so important esp when gathering information on resource management and triaging. This picture is of one of the many ships in the bay that were inoperable and uninhabitable.


However, as response agencies go, we need to prioritize things and see what needs to be done first. Therefore pictures like this are critical to tactical and operational pros.


If you only had a roadside view, you would have only seen this small portion of this disaster.


Yes I said it, rotor wing WTF! Additionally, your favorite PIO can get a better grasp on the situation and report out to stakeholders of ongoing joint operations.


Again, your command element should consider an aerial element with HQ photography to aid in SA/COP.

@rusnivek