Thanks to the pros at Grady on their hospitality. As you may remember, Grady was one of the first health systems to treat Ebola patients here in the United States.
Grady works closely with their partners in health at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both agencies are in Atlanta, so it puts them in a very unique position to integrally work in specialized treatment in stopping this deadly outbreak.
Thanks again for the warm hospitality.
I swear, I take the weirdest vacations. Zombie prep anyone?
Thanks to the folks at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for their most excellent hospitality.
Mahalos
Great class #ASFPM2015 today.
Solid group of Floodplain Managers from across the US in ATL!
Thanks for the invite!
Heading to Atlanta to speak at the Association of State Floodplain Manager’s Annual National Conference. 
Mitigation On My Mind – Region-4 baby!
Will you be there?
On Saturday, a user on Twitter posted threats about specific flights.
These terroristic tweets were taunting and often vulgar with careless disregard for the safety of numerous people. Authorities were contacted and an immediate investigation was started. Multiple flights were halted, Flights from Portland Portland and Milwaukee were identified and Atlanta Airport was checked for bombs.
Targeting various airlines, the threats moved on from Delta Airlines to Southwest Airlines.
Good practice – the verbiage used by Southwest is good communications/social media verbiage to use on Twitter when responding to immediate threats.
User cited supposedly specific information on how the plot was carried out.
Taunting the safety of passengers on a public forum is bad.
In the end, the person making the threats identified a specific address of location. Again, taunting law enforcement.
Easily found on Google Maps, Chicago Police was dispatched to this address to verify information.
As I predicted, the address did not yield the subject.
Sounds like “SWATTING” to me – http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/september/the-crime-of-swatting-fake-9-1-1-calls-have-real-consequences/the-crime-of-swatting-fake-9-1-1-calls-have-real-consequences
In my opinion (and how you should interpret this story is simple): It takes is 140-characters to send you to jail.
From the intel POV: Lots to glean from the info/data posted in these tweets.
From the safety POV: Lots of operational assets to mobilze.
From the Emergency Management POV: Lots to coordinate with various all-hazards public safety agencies in multiple places.
This would be a good time to remind you of DHS’ phrase – “If you see something, say something”.
Remain vigilant my friends.
Great quote from US Attorney General Eric Holder last night as he was interrupted by protestors in a church in Atlanta.
Photo credit: CNN
“There will be a tendency on the part of some to condemn what we just saw, but we should not,” Holder said. “What we saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. And it is through that level of involvement, that level of concern and I hope a level of perseverance and commitment, that change ultimately will come.
Photo credit: CNN
Perhaps retool it a bit so every PIO has this canned message ready to go:
“There will be some that will frown upon what we just saw, but we should not. In fact, what we really saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. Because, this is America…and that is what we do. We are a nation of change led by engagement. By the people, for the people.”
I even included a little bit of the Gettysburg Address in there. #Merica
*cut* *paste* *print* *ready*
You are welcome.
Stopped by CNN HQ today…
Oh you know, just checking out CNN’s world headquarters. #YouSoFancy
Also got a chance to see behind the scenes at HLN (formerly Headline News). Despite going through a newer format in the last 3-5 years, I’ve been a fan since the days of 30 minute repeat news as well a Linda Stouffer, Chuck Roberts, Lynn Russell, Wolfie, Jeanne Moos, etc….All from the 80s.
Also found out Mike Gallanos is pretty funny IRL too.
Oh the fun news antics behind the scenes….
Mahalos to the crews at CNN…including CNN News Editor @RyanSloanCNN.
@rusnivek
Where is @rusnivek? 