2016 National Preparedness Month at HQ in Washington DC

Can’t imagine a better place to be for 2016 National Preparedness Month…than in Washington DC!!!!!

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Yep, spending time at HQ shoring a few things up with External Affairs.

Don’t worry, I wore a suit.

My afternoon was spent at the Pentagon.

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Great to see old friends there.

Also proud to see Ready.Gov and FEMA External Affairs touting preparedness to peeps who work IN the Pentagon too.

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I am fortunate to spend time here with people who are passionate about preparedness.

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@rusnivek

 

We have the ability to better prepare our peeps for disasters or emergencies #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon #SaferOhio

“All I’m saying is that starting in Ohio and to the rest of the country, we have the ability to better prepare our peeps for disasters or emergencies.” – K. Sur

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We all have outstanding communities in each of our 88 counties in Ohio. When they engage with numerous all-hazards public safety professionals, it becomes a whole community effort in preparedness. In essence, these are core programs that everyone can participate.

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When the community gets involved, everyone wins.

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So c’mon – get involved in your community.

CERT: Community Emergency Response Team

ViPS: Volunteers in Police Service

MRC: Medical Reserve Corp

VOAD: Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

Fire Corps

Civil Air Patrol

Neighborhood Watch Program

American Radio Relay League

Veterans Active in Citizen Corps

American Red Cross

Meals on Wheels Association of America

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

@rusnivek

 

Hamilton County All-Hazards NIMS ICS-300 class during #NatlPrep Month!

Part of being prepared is taking classes with your local public safety professionals.

Hamilton County EMA Emily Lakamp welcoming class


Today, Hamilton County EMA partnered with Ohio Emergency Management Agency to bring ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents. 3-day intensive course to talk about the basics of ICS and NIMS and how it applies to all public safety and everyone during an incident/event.

OEMA Instructor Kevin Sur breaking down PPD-5 and PPD-8 for the ICS-300 class


If I counted correctly, we have almost all ESFs represented today! #awesome

Training is key as we continue to push preparedness efforts throughout the county and state. Learning about capabilities is key in any disaster response. 

Ohio EMA Southwest Regional Supervisor Phil Clayton addressing participants today


Glad to see everyone engaged today…esp on disaster response. 

This afternoon, in the world of tabletop exercise disaster training, we will likely ruin Central City, decimate Columbiana County, and then trash the State of Columbia. Oh yeah, and of course flood Emerald City too.


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

@rusnivek

TwitterChat on volunteers during disasters today at 1300EST #Prep2Serve #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

As part of 2016 National Preparedness Month – numerous preparedness peeps will be participating in today’s TwitterChat.

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Gather tips and specific messaging that could work for your community on preparedness. Talk about different groups who are active within their community before, during, and after a disaster.

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RH-CERT in action!

To keep the convo going, consider using the #Prep2Serve today.

See you at 1300EST!

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

@rusnivek

Help your Grandparents out by doing this with them #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Still the second week of 2016 National Preparedness Month and hey you – I see you!

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This week, we are focusing on helping family complete their family emergency communications plan. That’s right – go and help your Grandfather and/or Grandmother out!

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Helping everyone in your family can better prepare them for a disaster or emergency.

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Be a good Grandson or Granddaughter and help out now. Don’t hesitate.

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

@rusnivek

 

 

#Snax will help better prepare your friends and family #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Preparing for emergencies isn’t exactly a fun thing to do….but snacks will make it easier!!!

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Include your family and friends in your preparedness plans help calm their fears.

Many people will not digest information correctly and/or not take things seriously.

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But if you talk to them and help them assemble their preparedness kits WITH SNAX, you will have helped increase their readiness for any disaster/emergency.

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That’s cool. So don’t wait…

Now is the right time to discuss what to do BEFORE an emergency occurs.

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

@rusnivek

Memorize ALL your phone numbers? If not, here’s a free solution #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Seriously, do you memorize all your phone numbers? Chances are, you don’t.

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So stop goofing around on this holiday and create your family emergency communications plan here.

For those who have heard me talk about my own plan, I use ubiquitous NIMS ICS-205 form. #NIMS #ICS #FTW

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Who’s embracing ICS now?

But seriously, take a few moments to plan for the safety of your family with your Family Emergency Communications Plan.

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

@rusnivek

Sharing preparedness tips with PIOs across the country #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

I frequently present to Public Information Officers / Public Affairs Officers (PIOs & PAOs) across the country and talk extensively about preparedness.

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For those that were wondering about the class attire, many of my classes get scheduled on a Friday aka #AlohaFriday

Proud to say that so many of them love the job and enjoy sharing ways to increase safety in all communities with FEMA’s Ready.Gov Program.

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Your local Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management agencies are a great starting point for preparedness activities. Then all state safety agencies and Federal partners cooperate top down with many key organizations across the country.

That’s right. Local works with state works with regional works with national.

 

Happy #AlohaFriday peeps!

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

@rusnivek