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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Presenting some social media magic here in Ashtabula

Posted on August 28, 2014 by rusnivek

Did someone say “social media magic”? Heck yeah…and it’s right here in Ashtabula: the use of social media during disasters!

Making sure we cover the entire state, we hit Columbus yesterday and today, we are setup in the farthest NE corner of Ohio, Ashtabula County.

We are fortunate to have State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) PIO Tamara McBride (from Columbus) peek into the class and say hi to everyone.

Leveraging our current technologies during non-emergency times will help concrete our actions and increase our communications during disasters.

Looking forward to seeing some great progress and interaction in social media.

Additionally, it’s so nice to see old friends and colleagues from my past. Truly outstanding.

No matter wearing my flight helmet, my hospital shirt, my fire helmet, whatever….I’m just glad to see great friends again.

@rusnivek

Beautiful afternoon at OEMA in Cbus

Posted on August 26, 2014 by rusnivek

Beautiful afternoon at Ohio Emergency Management Agency – now heading downstairs into the State Emergency Operations Center.

It would be worth mentioning that the EOC has no windows to look outside.

@rusnivek

Made the evening news in Wisconsin

Posted on August 20, 2014 by rusnivek

Made the news in Wisconsin.

Looks like I’m going to owe many many root beer floats when I get back to Ohio.

@rusnivek

All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding

Posted on August 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.

I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.

Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).

Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.

IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.

Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.

@rusnivek

Doggie paddle heading to Columbus

Posted on August 11, 2014 by rusnivek

After a busy morning immersed in a contaminated water AAR, I will be submerging myself this afternoon into flood management.

Heh.

Teaching flood stuff at the State EOC on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

@rusnivek

Presenting at PEMA statewide conference in September

Posted on August 5, 2014 by rusnivek

Looks like I’ll be presenting Public Information Officer (PIO) / Social Media stuff at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) statewide conference in September.

Region-III baby!

http://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/2014-Conference.aspx

http://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/Default.aspx#.U-D3psJ0xJQ

Will I see you there?

@rusnivek

Wednesday meetings at FEMA #SURINDC

Posted on August 1, 2014 by rusnivek

As usual, I always make it a point to stop by FEMA HQ to meet with a few friends and teams working the FEMA magic.

First stop was to see the crew leading the Ready Campaign. Lots to discuss including the measure of preparedness and how we can more heavily promote preparedness digitally within each community. We constantly need to access our information that we are pushing and additionally make sure that the information is specific and actionable…esp during a disaster.

The general public seeks solid information FROM MOBILE DEVICES during an emergency. We cannot convolute the message, it must be clear and concise.

Did you know FEMA’s Ready.Gov program was featured at the White House Innovation for Disaster Response Recovery Event on Tuesday during the presentation by Appallicious? Check out the event and pictures here.

Mobile platforms must be easy to navigate and less cluttered. Almost everything is read on mobile platforms right? Duh! Esp since you can’t take/turn on your desktop computer while you are evacuating to an emergency.

Between meetings, I usually find a moment to take a funny picture with the hard-working FEMA pro, my friend Jana. She. Is. Hilarious.

Short meeting with the Digital Team at FEMA to discuss social media efforts and promoting great programs like FEMA’s SocialHub and Twitter Alerts.

But seriously, make sure you turn on your Twitter Alerts to get pertinent messaging from FEMA. It can be done from your mobile phone and it takes seconds to do.

In the coming months, we will be exploring a few classes that we can help cross promote a few programs. And I hope I get chosen to teach the class at FEMA HQ.

End of the day was spent chilling in the Executive Administration side of the house. And of course trying to catch a few moments with Craig.

Whew…what a day!

@rusnivek

Soooo, I’ll be in Washington DC next week…

Posted on July 25, 2014 by rusnivek

A quick update on next week’s trip to Washington DC aka my official invite to the White House…

I have been invited by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and The National Security Council (NSC) to attend the White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014. Workshops in the morning and the event in the afternoon (Social Media, User-Centered Designs, and Predictive Analytics).

Additionally, I’ll be taking in a few other meetings with response and preparedness agencies including DoD, DHS, and FEMA. Alphabet soup gang huh?

Am I nervous? Yep. I’m just hoping I don’t throw up on important people.

I’m totes excited.

Suit up!

…

Event: White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014

This event will bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, and members of the disaster response community to showcase tools that will make a tangible impact in the lives of survivors of large-scale emergencies. The White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative was first launched by the Administration in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to find the most effective ways technology can empower survivors, first responders, and local, state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government with critical information and resources.