Social Media NDPTC course today at the Michigan State University.

Lots of agencies from all over Michigan.

Great to see such engaged peeps and representatives from our all-hazards partners in public safety.
Rolling out the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s new G0291: Joint Information Centers (JIC) / Joint Information System (JIS) Planning for Tribal, state, and Local PIOs. Luckily, we were in the Command and Control room at the Summit County Health Department.

Command Control room…aka DOC
As always, its great teaching with Sister Michael Marie. Outstanding experiences and great stories from her international work in challenging areas of the world.

Even OEMA was checking in on our progress!
Sister Michael showcased the importance of all-hazard PIO involvement in emergency response to a natural hazard.

Everyone was able to share experiences and help each other improve – esp thinking outside the box on various scenarios.

By the end of this in-class activity, our participants realized that there are so many parts to a “simple disaster” that it pays to build partnerships early.
Remember: At 0300, you ugly, you smell, you stink – and clearly that’s not the best time to meet new people and to function in an emergency at 110%.

“As Emergency Management, we must continue to nurture solid working relationships and common response/recovery objectives with our all-hazards partners in public safety.” – @rusnivek
Best part? At the end of the class, they all applauded.

Awwww yeah!

When was the last time a class applauded your Emergency Management NIMS ICS compliant class?
Heh.
As always, it’s great to teach with OEMA Instructor and consummate professional Sister Michael Marie.

There is so much going on in this picture. I can’t even.
I’m just glad to be a part of something big.
Second day of the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s Basic Public Information Officer’s Course in Summit County.

Lots of discussion on the changes in public information especially with the use of social media in the 24-hour news cycle. #OMG

We were fortunate enough to hear from WKYC Reporter Jasmine Monroe and Videographer Carl Bachtel (NBC News affiliate) on what the media needs once they arrive on scene. Great insight to breaking news and media notifications.

Special thanks to WKYC’s Jasmine Monroe and Carl Bachtel.
As a class, we reviewed all media interviews and shared positives and points to improve – all geared toward enhancing PIO interview skills.

Reviewing the on camera interview with Twinsburg Lt. Marcus Ketner.
The final activity we broke into various PIO sections. This included an on-camera interview with talking points and bridging.

Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster while Mark Shane handles the videographer duties in the final G0290 classroom activity.
Great way to showcase newly acquired skills!

Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster for the final G0290 classroom activity
At the end of the day, I had a few moments to play our little holiday project aka #CJSavesCLE – just to showcase the power of when PIOs work with local media to make a wish come true for a day.

#CJSavesCLE
Solid day with so many new peeps!
Tomorrow will be G-291 Joint Information Center stuff! #excited
Bringing the State of Ohio G-290 Basic Public Information Officer Course to the pros at Summit County (Ohio).

Glad to see SO many old friends and faces in the crowd – and proud to share the value of ESF-15.

Also glad to teach w/ fellow FEMA IA Pro Sister Michael Marie.

With participants from all throughout Ohio, I’m excited to build new PIO relationships.
Rainy day start to the FEMA National Emergency Management Executive Academy Program here at the Emergency Management Institute.
As always, FEMA EMI Superintendent Tony Russell welcoming our class.

FEMA Emergency Management Institute Superintendent Tony Russell
Always great to see Tony.

Superintendent Tony Russell and Instructor Kevin Sur: “Welcome to EMI!”
I had a great time talking about public information officers, crisis communications, and social media – but from the engaging questions from the Cohort, we could have spent all day talking about just tech tools issues and digital engagements!

Breaking down the science of crisis communications for PIOs with various tools like social media
Great class and hoping next year we have more time on the in-class exercise.
Looking forward to the collective expertise from this Cohort in the near future!
Warm Alohas to my new friends!
April 2016 was solid, but it’s gonna be May…..

Instructors Kevin Sur and Justin Timberlake. Heh.
First week, I will be instructing FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy Program at EMI specifically on Crisis Communications, Public Information Officer, and Social Media. Then heading back to Ohio to teach a basic Public Information Officer’s Course and Joint Information Center/System course (G-290/291) in Summit County. R3 and R5 = Twofer in just the first week!
Second week, I will head back north to Michigan to teach social media at Michigan State University. Then the last half of the week spent in Chicago for meetings with various public safety officials including Chicago Fire.
Third week, we have a State of Ohio Emergency Management Instructors’ Workshop at Ohio EMA in Columbus. Good chance to chat and share successes with our staff – who are all good stewards of Emergency Management. Cbus baby!
Fourth week, I will be instructing in the big DHS/FEMA 2016 National Training and Exercise Symposium at EMI. Whohoo!!! Hoping to catch up to Brian Kamoie and Doc Lumpkins again. Then jetting off to Nebraska to teach Social Media and Crisis Communications in the statewide CPESymposia. R3 and R7 in the hizzouse!

Yep, it’s a 3-5-7 kinda month – A big month indeed.
In honor of National Preparedness Day, it’s the perfect to check my emergency preparedness kit!

More specifically, I’ll be taking a look at my box of emergency medications, checking expiration dates, etc…Never know when you or a family member will need a little extra help.
Additionally, I double checked all the primary and backup batteries in all my weather radios too. If you didn’t know, NOAA Weather Radios are a great source of free information before, during, and after a disaster. I highly recommend you getting a few to keep handy. Note: I like to utilize rechargeable batteries as they are move environmentally friendly.
For more information on Twitter, follow @ReadyGov @PrepareAthon @FEMA
For more information on social media, follow #PrepareAthon or #NatlPrep