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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Public Works (ESF-3) part of the response phase #Hurricane #Harvey #Port #Arkansas #Texas #Disaster

Posted on August 26, 2017 by rusnivek

I talk about it all the time in class – Emergency Support Function-3 (ESF-3) is an important part of our RESPONSE effort in a disaster.

Why do I talk about this all the time? Public works isn’t considered the traditional Fire or EMS or Law Enforcement….but when faced with this….

Photo credit: Gabe Hernandez (@callergabe) from Hurricane Harvey in Port Arkansas, TX – 08-26-17

Public Works’ efforts with so many various resources allow all public safety to get to affected areas.

Photo credit: Gabe Hernandez (@callergabe) from Hurricane Harvey in Port Arkansas, TX – 08-26-17

Often times, people believe public works is only for recovery and clean up. That is not true. As you can see, we clearly need them during the response phase – just to get to affected areas.

Photo credit: Gabe Hernandez (@callergabe) from Hurricane Harvey in Port Arkansas, TX – 08-26-17

Get to know your public works professionals now. They are an invaluable resource for the response phase.

@rusnivek

SundayFunday right?

Posted on August 13, 2017 by rusnivek

SundayFunday right?

Ambo 93, Ambo 42, and Truck-3 were obv out.

Views from the pad on Sunday.
@rusnivek

Day-2: Basic Public Information Officers Course #PIO #PAO

Posted on February 16, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA / Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer course.

Many of our participants wanted to know what is was like to implement a media pool for an international audience so we obliged by showcasing the May 2013 landmark case of the Cleveland Survivors’ Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight.

After discussing interview tips, we reviewed all media interviews. Everyone got a chance to openly review their newly acquired PIO interview skills.

PC: E. Creech

Sharp PIOs providing some sharp witty responses to the fictitious disaster.

Great discussion on redirection…

…and phrasing…

…and transitional phrasing or bridging…

…and reversing a negative…

…and of course the “no comment” conundrum.

All these in class activities help better our PIO on camera TV interviewing skills.

Meanwhile, a few participants tried to manually control the interview by holding my mic hostage.

Fun times.

Looking forward to our G291: Joint Information System / Joint Information Center class tomorrow on #AlohaFriday.

@rusnivek

Great first day of Basic Public Information Officer #PIO Course in Athens County Ohio

Posted on February 15, 2017 by rusnivek

Kicking off another solid FEMA / Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer’s course.

We have participants from across the state of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia!

So Region-5 and Region-3 are well represented.

Proud to have a diverse class this week in Athens County, Ohio.

Lots of class engagement with several opening activities assessing preparedness levels as well as gaps in PIO responses.

Addressing difficult situations (aka anticipating media questions) with PIOs or agency heads before they happen is a critical skill that every PIO should master.

Deep discussion on how all-hazards PIOs could support various operations with public safety. Also dissecting how Strategic Communications play a crucial role in planning.

#StratComms4Lyfe

On camera mock media interviews in the afternoon with focus on answering questions, talking points, redirects, and of course preparedness. Great time to hone the skills of every PIO and agency head.

Show and tell on preparedness kits and PIO go readiness kits.

PC: E. Creech

Including my famous “PIO stick”

PC: J. Beckett

Looking forward to day-2!

@rusnivek

November includes the 2016 World Series too #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

Posted on November 1, 2016 by rusnivek

October was great but a busy November is here!

First week, I’ll be supporting the Cleveland PIOs during the 2016 World Series. Later in the week, I’ll be in southern Ohio teaching ICS-400 in Belmont County (Ohio).

Second week will be a few social media classes in SE Georgia who are still in recovery operations from Hurricane Matthew.

Third week will be all Arizona.

And then the Fourth week will some Thanksgiving fun.

Who’s excited for Turkey in November? Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And for tonight’s World Series Game-6 Cubs vs Indians: #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

@rusnivek

Support your local first responders #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Posted on September 12, 2016 by rusnivek

Third solid week of 2016 National Preparedness Month! This week, we honor and celebrate all of our all-hazards first responder who serve tirelessly throughout the country.

Every day, thousands of first responders (paid and volunteer) put it all on the line for the general public we know and people we don’t know. Day or night, countless individuals respond to the call and make a difference in each community.

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In your community, support your local Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement agencies as they work tirelessly to provide safety for all communities big and small.

“Don’t wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

@rusnivek

Ears ringing because @rusnivek representing at #3CMAAnnual #PIO class!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by rusnivek

Rumor has it that my friend Erica mentioned me in class today at #3CMAAnnual Conference today during her PIO Class.

So alohas to my new peeps!

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Welp, you know that kind of class mention deserves some root beer floats!

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Cheers everyone – and many mahalos to Creech for the mention.

Yep, I’m not even there!

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Photo cred: K. Tunell

More like sliding into 3CMAAnnual’s feed…

@rusnivek

PIO-ing Cleveland’s Public Square during #PrideInTheCLE #ClevelandPride

Posted on August 14, 2016 by rusnivek

Yesterday, I supported Cleveland Police on the #PrideInTheCLE #ClevelandPride event in Public Square.

Much different from the Republican National Convention.

Lots of families out and about (and enjoying) the new cool fountain in downtown Cleveland.

Everyone was having a great time.

Lots of speculation and talk about public safety not being around to support the LGBT community – all totally false. Public Safety will be there to support any community.

Trust me, lots of public safety was on hand to support our entire community.

Cleveland Police Bomb Squad and K9 teams…

Cleveland EMS…

..even the Cleveland Police bike patrol was out supporting the day’s events.

Lots of areas to cover.

Partnerships with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and Cleveland Police Department are key in providing safety for everyone who attended the event.

It was a relatively hot day so I am glad that many of the participants dressed appropriately for the event.

Some not so much.

Fun entertainment and friendly people staying cool out in Public Square.

While waiting around, we had some time for a quick PIO selfie…

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Also had time for a few interviews with local media.

Also happy to run into a long time good friend Mark Zinni who is the anchor for the Channel 3 Eyewitness News in Hartford, Connecticut. Great to see him again.

Thanks for the picture Zinni!

Can’t wait to see him again in Cleveland.

While out there, we even made a few new peeps into Junior Police Officers.

Thanks Ken!

We were fortunate enough to do a few live interviews on Periscope from Public Square.

We highlighted the event and gave a status report of the operations using Periscope.

Ever wonder what it’s like to hang with onscene PIOs? Here’s a behind the scenes shot of us doing some live interviews on Periscope.

Thanks for the action shot Zinni!

Trust me, it’s harder than it looks.

Overall, it was great to see so many people out on a Saturday afternoon in Cleveland.

As always, I had a great time working the PIO magic with Jen!

We make a pretty good team huh?

Hope everyone stayed dry while the rain hit.

Great safe event everyone!

Have a great weekend!

@rusnivek

Hello Blues! #BlueAngels #USN

Posted on July 8, 2016 by rusnivek

Got a chance to spend a few with the Blue Angels.

And yes, Fat Albert was there.

As you may already know, the Blue Angels are my favorite performance team.

The do a great job in highlighting and promoting other team members like all the ground support staff and technicians.

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Photo cred: USN Blue Angels

And of course Fat Albert too.

Note: Absent in the class seven aircraft lineup is Blue Angel #6 (opposing solo) – RIP Capt Kuss.

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They had some issues with the afterburners in #7 so they were doing some extra testing on the ramp. Check out the video:

Super loud huh? #awesome

Glad to see so many out there supporting the best aerial jet performance team.

@rusnivek

October has the big four: 3-9-5-NCAP #SURINDC

Posted on October 1, 2015 by rusnivek

As National Preparedness Month closes, my October 2015 schedule is going to be very challenging. And as you know, I have to win. Here’s the plan:

First week: I’ll be in Carlisle, Pennsylvania presenting on Social Media in disasters. Pope out, Sur in! Glad to be back in Region-3.

Second week: I’ll be headed back to the Silicon Valley area presenting on social media specifically for large event planning and monitoring (because it’s all about the L right? Wait, it’s all about the 5-0 right?) I also hope to catch up to one of the VIPs at Intel. Since retiring from Emergency Management, his pro career intrigues me – so I believe some synergies could happen. Additionally, I get a chance to brainstorm with an extremely talented colleague from the NWS Sacramento office. I rant about “building relationships before an emergency” so I assure you that I am practicing what I preach. Love love LOVE me some Region-9!

Third week: I’ll be at Fairfield County (Ohio) Emergency Management Agency popping the G-290: Basic Public Information Officers Course and G-291: Joint Information Center / Joint Information System (JIC/JIS) courses. It will definitely be great to see my friend Director Kochis and crews again – back in Region-5.

Fourth week: I’ll be presenting at FEMA HQ in Washington DC on social media. Yep, at the big house. OMG. This is a big presentation. Big. REALLY BIG. While at HQ, I am hoping to catch up with Lumpkins, Kamoie, FEMA’s Digital Engagement Team…and since we’re fresh off the heels of National Preparedness month grabbing a cup of coffee with my besties from ReadyGov and PrepareAthon. Love me some HQ preparedness action! Additionally, I am hoping to grab a few meetings with my friends at the Pentagon and NGA too. Special thanks to US Representative Fudge (OH-11) for some extra time with Congress and a stop at the White House. Yep. The White House. Again. #SURINDC NCAP region!

It’s going to be a challenge month all October long.

Get it.

@rusnivek