Just watched a ton of interviews on TV. So, is “You know…” the new “Um….”
C’mon peeps. We are all capable of doing better.
For those that need a little help, reference your cue/quiet cards with transitional/bridging phrases.
Remember, your audience doesn’t know…so help them, well, you know…
2016 Ohio PIO Symposium today!
This year, a smaller NEOhio PIO contingent attending the conference in Columbus.
So it’s just James and I holding down the fort! (T-R-O-U-B-L-E)
But check out that #AlohaFriday wear!
Reporting live from Cbus…
2016 National Preparedness Month – but on this September 11th, 2016 we should all pause and remember those who have fallen for this great country.
Like many other Firefighters, I did my share at FDNY with the lads at 44 Engine.
Outstanding memories.
15 years later, I hope the memory does not fade from anyone’s mind.
As a country, we will always sacrifice for those in need.
Because our nation will never fail. #Freedom
Never forget.
I was discussing some Periscope tips with a few Police PIOs on an upcoming spot with the mounted unit. Great key points in the story, but I cautioned them on the variability and unpredictability of filming with animals.
Try your best to limit the view to close ups and reduce the amount of wide shots.
Also, consider having cut plan…aka alternate plan in case “stuff” happens.
(I should have posted this on Wednesday huh?)
Stuff that makes me smile? This…
Little messages like this motivates me to continue to bring the best training to all my peeps.
Glad to see so many of you advancing your careers with Emergency Management and PIO-ing.
I had a great time with the Northeast Ohio Public Information Officers (NEO-PIOs) who sat for a quick down and dirty (DaD) Table Top Exercise (TTE) designed around on a social media (SM) module (MOD). OMG.
Various topics discussed:
Lots of fun esp various discussions on platforms and reach.
Public Information Specialist @ThingsToShea and Public Information Officer @TomsDarren work to craft specific emergency alert messages in the preparedness phase #NatlPrep
Heavy debate on the use of mass notification systems…
@ClevelandFire Public Information Officer Gray & @LakeCoHealth Public Information Officer Cole collaborating on preparedness messages specifically for Instagram & Vine #NatlPrep
…and their true reach/effectiveness of messaging.
Summit County Public Information Officer @jamesp501 discussing multi-platform information dissemination for preparedness & evacuation #NatlPrep
Discussion on simplicity and concise messaging for those we serve before, during, and after an emergency.
BAM – solid Tuesday afternoon with my peeps!
Yups, I can’t thank these ESF-15 characters enough.
(From L to R): Pollack, Cole, Sur, Gray, and Toms.
Mahalos my friends!
Awwww yeah! This past week, I got a chance to teach part of the brand new DHS/FEMA G0290: Basic Public Information Officer Course!
Formerly known as G-290 course, this is the new FEMA Basic Public Information Officer course taught across the country for all public safety and emergency management professionals.
Thanks again to the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency and KESC for allowing me the opportunity. Also, special thanks to the ever fashionable Mike from NIOA.
Shakas because we are reporting live from Kentucky…
A fine day to teach the Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s JIS / JIC Planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs (G-291) course in Medina County!
A classic start with The Who.
One of the big points emphasized in this class is the differences between a Joint Information Center (JIC) and a Joint Information System (JIS). Both have merits in daily operations and each have strengths and weaknesses in disaster operations.
Sometimes PIOs don’t understand that a JIC or JIS activation is just like a normal activation. If you can’t figure out the differences between the two, take the class from those who have actually worked a JIC or a JIS.
On Tuesday/Wednesday in the Basic Public Information Officers’ Course (G-290), we talked about training and readiness efforts for any PIO. Go Kits were a hot button topic as everyone’s PIO kit would most likely be different. Resource manuals are great to have, but difficult to keep updated. Just maintaining a PIO contact list is a tedious task.
Much discussion about food in the kit. This was obviously NOT a good example of what you should be eating during an JIC activation.
Prob not the best lunch.
Healthy body = Healthy mind. Period.
As the day progressed, we facilitated several in-depth discussions on teamwork, joint efforts in responses as well as some pre-scripted messages that can be used by everyone. Planning now will reduce the amount of white hair during an incident.
Establish relationships now with local health departments, local and regional hospitals, local Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Teams, Special Technical Rescue Teams. Easily rely on your state staff and resources to support your actions. A great wealth of information is available to bring to the table. Just establish that connection before that awkward 0300 hit.
Additionally, tapping into local resources from other Federal Agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives(ATF), National Weather Service (NWS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs Border Patrol (CBP), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), etc…so many options to establish relationships!
“Building relationships now can only increase our response effectiveness during a disaster.” – K. Sur
Looking outside government agencies, public and private partnerships can support our safety and response initiatives – so we need to make a concerted effort to make those connections now. Build relationships before a disaster!
Sur and Mo!
So how can you bring all these resources together? Consider these actions to explore in your jurisdiction:
And if you were wondering, class participants did well on their post-tests.
Psssst…the answer is “C” #not
We had a great time teaching this week. Much thanks to the Medina County Emergency Management Agency and EM Director Christine Fozio for their hospitality. Super fun time.
So much ducking fun (duck face reference)
Special thanks to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for sponsoring this all-hazards class for our partners in public safety.
(L to R): PIO Instructor Kevin Sur, Medina County Emergency Management Director Christine Fozio, and PIO Instructor Monique Witherspoon.
If you are looking to attend OEMA’s free PIO courses:
**coordinate through OEMA State Training Officer Susan Traylor.
As always, I’m looking forward to the JIC / JIS activation calls. I am excited for these new PIOs to put their new acquired PIO skillz in place. And yes, I said skillz with a Z.
Time is short so do good stuff!
It takes less than 15 seconds…and you have to do this now.
Seriously, do it now.
Fall back = Change your smoke detector batteries and set your clocks back.
Thank you for helping yourself in staying alive.
@rusnivek
Where is @rusnivek? 