Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Day-2 of the new 2019 ICS-400 course!

Posted on August 7, 2019 by rusnivek

Day-2 of the new 2019 ICS-400 course! This morning, we start out talking about the deadly 2005 Hurricane Katrina/Rita response with the US Coast Guard.

Facilitated discussion allows our participants to openly discuss perceived issues. Lots of response actions from all of our participants that can contribute to a successful response. Glad we had fruitful discussion prior to the actual disaster.

Our class also acknowledged the national Emergency Alert System Test today for TV and radio.

Everyone in class knew about it…aka prepared leadership and pros. Love it!

Midmorning and afternoon class-time was spent on the capstone activity with heavy discussion on the use of area command and how we allocate resources for multiple jurisdictions.

And you are right if you said that the rotor wing options are high on the list of valuable recourses.

Channeling my best FEMA EMI Bob Ridgeway, “…and don’t worry sports fans” moment, we included the infamous State of Columbia!

This fictions town is always a disaster.

Great to see so many partners discuss overarching goals including challenges with the big three public safety providers. Like pros, they included a large bite into health intelligence, DoD assets, and of course addressing various audiences like the tribal nations. Solid!

Proud to serve my fellow public safety pros from all professions this week in the ICS-400 course.

@rusnivek

2018 Second Quarter #PIO Training at WOIO Channel 19 news #PresidentsDay

Posted on February 19, 2018 by rusnivek

Leading off our 2018 2nd quarter Public Information Officer (PIO) Training at WOIO Channel 19/43 (CBS Affiliate).

I’m proud to have so many PIOs from across the State of Ohio and West Virginia discussing current issues and breaking news.

PC: Beth Zietlow-DeJesus

Collaboration and coordination were consistent themes we revisit all the time including Joint Information Center and Joint Information Systems (JIC/JIS). Current news stories like the FL shooting were hot button topics but we also discussed the Boston Bombing, FacebookLive killer, 2016 Republican National Convention, Chardon Shooting, Burke Lakefront plane crash, 3 girls missing for 10+ years, Imperial Ave murders, World Series, and NBA Championships.

PC: Beth Zietlow-DeJesus

But knowing that other PIOs are going through the same issues, we can commiserate and work toward a solution. Yes, of course we did the behind the scenes tours of the studio, desk assignment/reporter bullpen….

…anchor desks, and even popped into a planning meetings for the evening broadcast.

We had so many various disciplines represented.

PC: Beth Zietlow-DeJesus

Great to see all those hard working PIOs ensuring the safety for their communities on Presidents’ Day.

PC: Chris Tanaka

Special thanks to Anchor Chris Tanaka, Acting News Director Brian Sinclair, Mel Watson, Assignment Editor Shelly Steinmetz, and Reporter Jennifer Picciano. Trust me – it’s great to have media partners working with the NEOhio PIOs!

I’m @rusnivek, reporting live from 19 News desk…..

@rusnivek

Boat recovery in the Florida Keys

Posted on October 15, 2017 by rusnivek

Out today checking out the progress on recovery of boats in the area.

There are lots of them strewn about.

Also a bunch of them that are below water.

Like a lot of them. So I’m glad to see our partners from the US Coast Guard as well as other agencies supporting the recovery efforts.

Reporting live from a BOAT!

@rusnivek

Day-1 of ICS-400 – who’s excited?!?

Posted on July 11, 2017 by rusnivek

Who’s excited for some ICS-400 today?!?!?

Great start for today’s NIMS ICS-400 Advanced ICS Command & General Staff – Complex Incidents.

Michelle from Emergency Management welcoming everyone to the Training Center (aka backup EOC).

With almost every Emergency Support Function (ESF) represented, we were able to facilitate solid discussion on opening a second Operations Section or Logistics Section.

Collaboration with various partners in public safety, health departments, and National Guard will only help increase speed and efficiency for response/recovery efforts.

Building an Area Command chart(s) in the Unit-4 will help put things into perspective esp when situations has to deal with multiple locations and prioritization of resource allocation.

I know, poor Fryville.

However, various discussions just happens to align with large scale events like political rallies, national sports events, and National Special Security Event (NSSE).

Great first day. Looking forward to more discussion tomorrow too.

@rusnivek

Ohio Statewide Amber Alert on a Sunday from Licking County #FathersDay

Posted on June 18, 2017 by rusnivek

AMBER Alert on #FathersDay – not a good afternoon.

Not only do you get email notification…

…social media picked up on it right away…

…EAS Alerts go off to everyone in the proximity…

…and roadside signs instantly broadcast the same message.

Where and why did AMBER Alert first start?

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation.

How does it work?

Once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. AMBER Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and DOT highway signs. AMBER Alerts can also be re-disseminated through lottery, digital billboards, Internet Ad exchanges, Internet Service Providers, Internet search engines, as well as wireless devices such as mobile phones.

How effective has it been?

As of December 23, 2015 there have been 800 children rescued and returned specifically because of AMBER Alert. AMBER Alerts also serve as deterrents to those who would prey upon our children. AMBER Alert cases have shown that some perpetrators release the abducted child after hearing the AMBER Alert.

Do not ignore these Amber Alerts.
Be aware of your surroundings.

Look out for your neighbors.

Read the alert, call if you see something/someone matching the description and make your community safer.

@rusnivek

*****************Update as of 06-18-17 at 19:38*****************

Child was found safe. Keiria Marie Trent girl was found safe with a relative.

Thank you for participating in the Ohio AMBER Alert.

**END**

Last day of #preparedness talks in Georgia in Glynn County

Posted on April 27, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great day in Georgia talking about preparedness to various pros.

Special thanks to Glynn County (GA) EMA Director Jay Wiggins for hosting the class…

…and special thanks to Laura Ginn who coordinated efforts on behalf of everyone in City, County, and State of Georgia.

Glad to see so many participants here to learn but more importantly, share information and challenges and success stories they found within their community. Espically when it comes to senior care and supportive care – these issues need to be talked about openly and various members of family and staff need to be aware of challenges they may face when disaster strikes.

Aside from www.ready.gov program – there are a ton of other agencies to follow to ascertain great and trusted information.

Remember, a short time ago, this entire area was hit by Hurricane Matthew with MANDATORY evacuations.

Building these kinds of relationships before a disaster can only strengthen our efforts in response and recovery.

Plus, it’s super awesome to hang with like-minded individuals who are so dedicated to preparedness.

Be safe peeps!

@rusnivek

Need a backup EOC? I bet you can identify this one

Posted on January 12, 2017 by rusnivek

For my Emergency Management Pros – have you done your continuity planning yet?

What? You don’t have a backup Emergency Operations Center?!?

Let me help you for free: Sports-type restaurants can easily double as an Emergency Operations Center.

restaurant-eoc

Oh schnikies – he’s right!

Remember on September 11th, FDNY had to move their EOC multiple times because of increased hazards, inaccessibility, and debris?

More planning? Any of the FEMA credentialed Master Continuity Practitioners can help you out…like me.

fema_logo3

Likely this could be a good alternate to any Emergency Operations Center right? Large parking lot, ability to provide food, bathrooms, etc….all the stuff we need.

So yes, if you are short on funding, consider identifying a few neighborhood sports restaurants as backup emergency operations centers in your AOR and mutual aid districts/regions.

@rusnivek