Sat phone partay!

Our 4th satellite phone came in today. Like gremlins, they are multiplying!

This Continuity of OPerations (COOP) effort is a phased plan that is imperative to everyone here.

It’s just another part of our COOP plan as Emergency Management leads the way for planning and coordination.

Think of it this way, it’s part of business continuity.

At any time, we have staff/SMEs around the world doing critical work. And we need instant communications with them and our global Exfil team that can deploy out immediately in an emergency.

In the near future, look to Argonne EM to lead the COOP effort for the area by providing high level training with our partners at FEMA.

Funny part, we are calling that part “Operation Kevins”

Reporting live from Sat phone stable…

@rusnivek

Region-3 meeting today in McHenry County

IEMA-OHS Region-3 meeting today so I get a chance to hang with the teams from across the greater Chicagoland and the top tier Emergency Managers.

I’ve been and have lead training here at the McHenry County Regional Training Center. Solid facility and the hospitality from the McHenry County EMA is outstanding.

Even more fun is seeing friends that I don’t get to see all that often.

Proud graduates of our FEMA Emergency Management Advanced Academy, it was great to see IEMA-OHS Operations Section Chief Chris D. and Aurora EMA Coordinator Natalie W. today.

Legit smiles as we all got a chance to catch up for a bit.

Reporting live from McHenry County….

@rusnivek

Annual interface training today

To better acclimate our public safety partners to our operations, we hosted our annual off-site agency interface training today.

Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, and key players from state and Federal were also on hand to make sure we are a well oiled machine when it comes to inbound resources.

Glad to see so many familiar faces on site today.

Just another way Emergency Management leads the way to collaborate with our most trusted partners in response and recovery.

Reporting live from today’s sesh…

@rusnivek

Cross training for operational rescue at Argonne

Ladder trucks are an important part of any Fire Rescue operation.

So cross training with specialized equipment is critical to the success of any response/recovery. So today, our FD got to hang with Westmont Fire Tower 183.

Even got a chance to get my Hazard Analysts in the bucket too.

All smiles as we start the long weekend.

Be safe out there!

@rusnivek

Severe weather awareness week in Illinois #PIO

Another interview as we talk about preparedness. This week is severe weather awareness week in Illinois.

PIO here….working with the Springfield news to feature IEMA-OHS Deputy Director Clayton Kuetemeyer.

Making sure everyone is prepared is key to safety.

Illinois has had some severe weather lately so I am glad that our media partners are in it to win it too.

Just glad to hang with the crew from WICS today in Springfield.

Reporting live from the SEOC…

@rusnivek