3 Regions in April including my favorite social media course

Spring has sprung and April is here!

First and second week will be packed with planning meetings for upcoming functional and full scale exercises as well as some follow up on upcoming Emergency Management / PIO classes and national conferences. Lots of work for classroom fun stuff. Additionally I’ll finally get a chance to sit down with some SES folks for strategic planning career development. 

Third week will be in Florida (Region-4) teaching my favorite #NDPTC advanced social media course – PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques. Whoop whoop!

The Fourth week will be a busy one as we finalize another social media course for FEMA certification at Sacramento County’s EOC in California (Region-9). Then double back to some of my favorite peeps from Georgia (Region-4) for more Emergency Management preparedness courses.


Region-5, Region-9, and Region-4 = Lots of great classes upcoming. 

You know me, I’m just glad to serve constituents who make a difference in their communities every single day.

@rusnivek

Few pet preparedness tips for 2017 severe weather preparedness week

It’s still 2017 Severe Weather Preparedness Week – today’s topic: pets!

Cold weather affects humans. But think about having to put more than just your two shoes into the snow…think about 4 paws.


I know your pet loves being outside in the snow, soooooooooo:

  • Keep their time outside to a minimum.
  • Consider brushing off their paws before coming into the house.
  • Examine the de-icing salt used for your driveway as some may contain harmful chemicals.
  • Harmful edibles or poisonous mushrooms are often buried under fallen snow.
  • Due to large snow embankments, cars on the road may not see you/your pet on a walk.
  • Flashlights or reflective gear at night will increase your chances of being identified by passing motorists.

Rain or shine, keep your pets warm and well dressed for the weather outside.


For more trusted information on your local weather, check out www.weather.gov for official weather predictions.

@rusnivek

Wipers on = Lights on! 2017 #National #Severe #Weather #Preparedness

2017 National Severe Weather Preparedness week.

As we start to experience more rain (April showers) – we need to constantly remind people – IF YOUR WIPERS ARE ON, TURN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON!

Can you identify which vehicle doesn’t have their headlights on? Kinda hard to spot huh?

Despite daytime on a gloomy day, I think people just forget to turn their headlights on.

Consider using this safety meme whenever it rains.

Trust me, it’s free.

Every state is different so check your state and local laws. Or just turn them on whenever you turn your windshield wipers on.

More free severe weather safety tips this week…

@rusnivek

 

Welcome to 2017 #National #Severe #Weather #Preparedness Week #NatlPrep

This week is 2017 National Severe Weather Preparedness Week!

Foggy conditions pose a significant danger to motorists as well as pedestrians.

When driving (and flying) leave more room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
A few more tips/reminders:

  • Use headlights so you can see and be seen.
  • Slow down.
  • Give yourself more time for travel between locations.
  • Allow yourself more distance for stopping.
  • Fog could delay your airline travel plans so check your flight departures often.
  • Double check your vehicle preparedness kit for supplies like food/water.
  • Have a fully charged cell phone – just in case.

More safety tips to share all week for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

@rusnivek

Few PIO takeaways from yesterday’s #CLEStPats Parade Spoxing

Few Public Information Officer (PIO) takeaways after yesterday’s #CLEStPats Parade.

#Spectacles are great for “hands-free” wearable technology…because its difficult to ride a bike and social media.


Duh! Hands free is great.

However, many people asked about my Spectacles which made it difficult to focus in on duty stuff.


The video activation on Spectacles was tough because I had/could only use my left hand only to start the video.


I wonder if those that have been following along on the SnapChat story, are disappointed when they see it’s only a “regular snap” vs “from Spectacles” in the top left identifier. I guess it’s the same viewer mindset as picture vs video because video appeals to more audiences with movement. Spectacles video is circular in nature, easy to expand view of scene. Here’s a quick example.

Here’s the view from a portrait style snap.

And here’s the same view bust just one of the possible views of a snap with viewer control of scene and framing.

Obv, lots more to see.

Additionally,  I can see many of the viewers expecting video as they are getting the “behind the scenes” details with consistent narration. Which means – WE HAVE TO KEEP TALKING ALL THE TIME! Yikes.


As for Spectacles, you might want to consider your breathing as part of the “production” because my Spectacles picked up my breathing standing still and on the bike.

Wind blocking isn’t so great on them – so your “action” movement might be tough to record proper audio. There are no visible ports on SnapChat’s Spectales to attach an external mic.

Again, fun times yesterday with Cleveland Police and so many all-hazards partners in public safety.


If we consistently support each other, we will all succeed in our respective missions.

Be safe out there peeps!

@rusnivek

Marching right in…is March!

Marching right in…is March!

In the first full week, as 1Q starts to close out, I will be finishing up my yearly requirements including compliance and yearly required classes/re-certifications from the agencies I represent.

Second week, I’ll head to Boise to teach some advanced social media courses. Keep your eyes peeled for me in Idaho!

Third week, I’m headed down to Anniston for some FEMA Mission Ready Training with my favorite HQ peeps. Now you know, I wanted to attend the 2017 NEMA Mid-Year Planning Conference, but I just can’t swing it this year.

Then the fourth week, is packed with teaching some new peeps from Woodlawn, everyone’s favorite, ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System (ICS).

fema_regional_map

Is it spring yet?

@rusnivek

 

In 2017, I’m trying something new a few times a week

In 2017, I vowed to try a few new things.

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Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen – the continuous improvement of work efforts and personal efficiency, I decided that I take a few moments each week to do some meditation.

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I don’t need to bang any gongs or burn any incense. (<–cause that would be a fire hazard). I just figured firming up my position might help a bit to refocus on priorities.

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What brought all this? It was really my visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.

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In my humble opinion (IMHO), one of the most spectacular places to visit.

rainrain

Many parts make up the sum. Aside from rainfall, the sounds of calm override most.

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With my meditation, these things help too.

  • Sip green tea.
  • Two hands.
  • Centering my soul.
  • Smooth thoughts. (Obv a nod to the motto “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast”)

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Let’s see how this goes.

@rusnivek

Reviewing the recap from the big 2017 PIO Conference

Finally reviewing some of the recap video from the PIO Conference in January.

Erica Creech

Erica Creech

Great time with over 100 seasoned Public Information Officers (PIOs)…

Jennifer Ciaccia

Jennifer Ciaccia

…from multiple states including from all over Ohio.

Kevin Sur

Kevin Sur

Saturday night fun stuff.

@rusnivek

Controlled demolition explosion at 0100 #CLE #Cleveland #Ohio

At 1AM – Kaboom!

@Illuminatingco Don’t be alarmed! Residents near E 72 and the Shoreway in CLE may hear explosions around 1 a.m. as part of planned demo of Lake Shore Plant.

Bird’s Eye view from @FirstEnergyCorp here.

And @MVielhaber’s wide shot here.

surprisedddd

Don’t be scared. Or scurred.

@rusnivek

 

February is almost all Region-5 and a roll out of a brand new social media course in Colorado

January was fast paced but February 2017 is going to be lots more hustle too!

In the first week, its another great Basic Public Information Officer’s course and Joint Information Center course at Wayne Township Fire. Love me some Region-5 baby!

Second week, I’ll be leading the Incident Management Team Logistics Section Chief Course in Dayton – the home of Ohio Urban Search and Rescue Task Force-1 (OH-TF-01). Teaching FEMA EMI courses are super fun. Week long Logistics is AWESOME!

Third week, we will be back in Athens, Ohio bringing our Basic Public Information Officer’s course (G-290) and Joint Information Center course (G-291) with one of my favorite instructors Erica aka Mama PIO in Region-5 again!

Fourth week, I head back to Centennial to debut a brand new course for FEMA/NDPTC on social media. Looking forward to seeing my Colorado peeps again at the state Emergency Operations Center. Region 8 in the hizzouse!

fema_regional_map

Busy February! Hope to see you my classes!

@rusnivek