Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Site visit ending up at AFD Station-8

Posted on February 3, 2020 by rusnivek

Is it kinda like the elephant march when we line up ambulances outside?

Overcast dreary morning as we continue to support our public safety pros in the field 24/7. No rest for the weary!

But after Chicago, I was able to switch out to Aurora Station-8 as we discuss some ongoing issues and see how we can creatively explore more training/exercises to increase partnerships/coordination.

Lots of discussion on our ongoing FEMA Emergency Management Basic Academy as we continue to share the good that the DuPage County OHSEM does for all partners.

Sometimes it’s difficult for people to understand that Emergency Management is a different field than 30 years in the fire service or 30 years at the police department or 30 years working at an EMS service. Definitely not the same.

So in that same vein, we need to tailor our classes and exercises to address the all-hazards approach and address all partners.

We are fortunate that our classes are geared to hit all 15 Federal Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) in accordance with national plans. Our guidance is clear as we align with national doctrine, state grants/guidance, and local response plans to coordinate and execute any needed response plans.

The crux is that Emergency Management in the EOC will be the coordinating entity during any emergency or disaster. Period.

In order for locals to execute, State to manage, and Federal to assist and support, we need to have a firm understanding of what happens every step of the way. I am proud of my staff for taking the time to see these things through and explore options for our public safety pros.

No doubt, these are the kinds of things that make our EM stronger and solid at supporting our peeps 24/7/365. We in Emergency Management must continue to build a rock solid collaborative effort with our key players so that when we need to exercise or execute, we can do it seamlessly.

Special thanks to the men and women at the Aurora Fire Station 8 for their warm hospitality. Looking forward to seeing all of you in class and future exercises.

Reporting live from the bay floors between Truck-6 and Engine-99…I mean Engine-8…

@rusnivek

Closing out June with 4 regions and no sleep

Posted on June 1, 2019 by rusnivek

I can’t believe we are already through more than half of 2019! Amazing how time flies. Lots more to do in 2019.

First week we have lots of new ICS classes/coordination as well as a class in Baltimore, MD.

Second week more FEMA Basic Academy TtT coordination and a class in Worcester, MA.

Third week, OMG, we #totes have a solid week of advanced social media across the State of Ohio. My old peeps!!!!!

Fourth week, we have another Basic PIO course and JIC/JIS course in Kentucky. I get to teach with a reporter. Funz!

Basically, it’s a 3-1-5-4 kinda month so likely lots of sleeping on planes, trains, and in automobiles. Will I see you in June?

Can’t stop, won’t stop.

@rusnivek

Can Sharknado be real? Easy answer is…

Posted on July 25, 2018 by rusnivek

It’s Wednesday – so on this fine hump day, I bring you this hump of a disaster…

…more like a movie that is a disaster. I can confirm, Sharknado isn’t real.

The possibility of a sharks flying around in a tornado are incredibly rare.

Don’t be a bozo.

@rusnivek

Volunteers & Donation Management

Posted on June 19, 2018 by rusnivek

Volunteer and Donations Management class today.

Lots of discussion was sparked by spontaneous volunteers.

While easy to handle, complex to handle without a tested and easy system to categories skills and personnel.

Additionally, lots focused on resource and supplies. A casual remark in class is that volunteers can house all kinds of stuff and be able to distribute everything accordingly.

Let me be very honest, I love people that want to help. But if you dump this task on an untrained and unfamiliar set of volunteers, it will not go smoothly. You have to train them, set them in a direction, and of course be as organized and coordinated as you can be. Make them part of your team EARLY!

So to share a perfect example of serving in disaster recovery, I’ll again share the AmeriCorps package we put together while deployed out for Hurricane Maria on the US Virgin Islands St. Thomas.

Outstanding crew to work with and solid bunch of dedicated individuals to the mission at hand. More info about AmeriCorps, click here and AmeriCorp Blue-6 (<—That team is SOLID).

A few takeaways for participants in today’s class:

Build relationships before an emergency.
Enhance capabilities and knowledge.
Evaluate skill sets of your volunteer workforce.
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.
Help your neighbor.
Do good stuff.

Train your volunteers frequently as they should be a valuable part of our community’s recovery process.

@rusnivek

Final day of Ohio EMA’s Emergency Planning Course

Posted on September 6, 2017 by rusnivek

Second and final day of our Ohio EMA Emergency Planning course!

We are going to dive deep into CPG-101 and talk about how we can increase our ability to write better EOP base plans and enhance our annexes.

All four groups firing all the way as they work through challenges in formulation of SMEs for plans.

Dynamic chatter esp focusing in on American Red Cross and Emergency Management when it comes to bringing people to the table.

Dove deep into how CPG101 applies, incorporating the NRF, lots on NIMS compliance, and of course ICS requirements. Discussion also lead to a few case studies including Hurricane Jacob Cat-5 to Cat-2 hit.

Also fortunate to have key players from CERT, HAM, EM, and law enforcement at the table discussing challenges with paid vs volunteer staffing and accounting for resources.

I want to give a major shoutout to Alicen and Tim for their hospitality this week for the Ohio EMA G-235 course. Most gracious and hospitable course coordinators.

Now go forth and formulate good EOPs!

@rusnivek

Teaching in the NM DOC – Social Media Tools and Techniques

Posted on January 11, 2017 by rusnivek

Hello Wednesday! Getting a chance to teach my favorite advanced class – PER-344: Social Media Tools and Techniques at the State of New Mexico Department of Public Health.

Whohoo!

The engaging in-class activity in the afternoon is a great way to get you to think outside of the box…

…and force you to #totes enhance your social media game.

So happy to see numerous peeps attending today’s class.

This course is also very valuable to support upcoming Full Scale Exercise Vigilant Guard with the National Guard too.

@rusnivek

Hello to January 2017!

Posted on January 1, 2017 by rusnivek

December was relatively busy but say hello to January 2017!

In the first week, its paperwork mania! As usual, we have yearly update classes that needs to be completed and mandatory inservice training.

Second week, I’ll be headed to the State of New Mexico’s Department of Heath to teach Social media. For my friends in Region-6, I also need to figure out if I’m a green or red. Hmmm.

Third week, I’ll be presenting at the huge PIO Conference in Franklin County (Columbus), Ohio. Working the PIO magic with Jennifer Ciaccia and Erica Creech. It’s a huge conference with tons of participants. Do you want to attend? Just email Xenia (xeniapalus@franklincountyohio.gov ) for more deets.

Fourth week, I head back to St. Clair County Michigan to teach social media. If you remember, these are my peeps who participated in the big Cause IV experiment with the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Canada’s Public Safety on a cross-border full scale exercise in 2016. Excited to see my peeps again!

2017 is here. Bring it!

@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.

cfdcems-copy

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

Social Media Day-2 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health

Posted on August 26, 2016 by rusnivek

Strong classroom engagement yesterday with many military personnel attending including a Lieutenant Colonel. But today’s class? They are asking some serious deep social media questions too!

Including FacebookLive! So, like any hands-on PIO instructor, I decided to grab one of them and do a live demo. Say hello to USAF OK ANG PAO Brigette Waltermire!

Showcasing some social media live streaming magic to the class.

During the break, I was able to demo how we do the behind the scenes stuff so that the PIOs/PAOs in the audience can see how much work goes into a two-minute interview.

Special mahalos to my friend Amber for the invite to Oklahoma again.

I am fortunate to have so much fun teaching in Region-6 with great peeps!

@rusnivek