National disaster or major significant event? Turn off your scheduled posts and tweets!

Quick social media note: During a national crisis/event, turn off your scheduled posts/tweets.

Last night, I watched as numerous agencies continue (or forget) to stop their auto scheduling programs last night. C’mon, I talk about that in class! If you don’t turn off your auto posts/tweets, your constituents and consumers will perceive you as being insensitive to the current events.

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After the horrific shooting at the Aurora, Colorado Theatres on 07-19-14, NRA social media team autoposted this tweet via HootSuite on 07-20-14. Tweet was viewed as inappropriate as shootings/gun violence/tragedy was the major discussion of the day. Tweet was perceived as inappropriate and insensitive.

After all, social media is about being social and talking about #trending topics right? (Think of it as a digital water cooler)

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After the Boston Bombing incident, many brands and organizations expressed thoughts and prayers for those involved in this egregious tragedy. Public perception? Simple and thoughtful.

Now I know what you are saying – “But national events don’t play any part in our daily operations.” WRONG!, your image is based on perception and being mindful or relevant to a national event will help your readers embrace your greater good.

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Now what is considered a national event? Well, that is for your organization to decide. My opinion? I would err on the side of conservative judgment.

@rusnivek

Your emergency USB drive #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

It’s the first Friday, the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Easy right? My goal is to provide actionable information so that you can better prepare you and your family.

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#5: Use a small USB drive includes all key emergency documents & family communications plan #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

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These ubiquitous USB drives (aka thumb drives, jump drives, memory sticks, etc…) are so easy to find. Best part? These things are cheap! You can easily find 16G for $2…which is WAY more storage that you’d ever need to store your documents in an emergency.

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What to keep stored on this jump drive? Scanned or digital copies of your:

  • Family Communication Plan (that also includes an out-of-state contact)
  • Driver’s License/State Identification card
  • Passport
  • Social security card
  • Birth Certificates
  • Home Insurance card
  • Auto Insurance card
  • Credit card(s)
  • Copies of a recent bank statements
  • High resolution pictures of your family and individual pictures.

As you pack your one ounce USB drive, don’t forget to put it in an airtight freezer ziplock type bag. Your electronic equipment does not like getting wet.

The cost of these USB drives are so low, that it behooves you to use easy technology now to better leverage your position in a disaster. Because you won’t have time to copy/transfer these documents during a rapid evacuation, now is the time to be prepared.

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Keeping good documentation for your family is one of the most important parts of reconnecting with family during and after a disaster.

@rusnivek

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Thank goodness, I did NOT burn my house down… #DFT2013

Say hello to my little friend…

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…his name is Deep Fried Turkey #DFT2013

Boom – SUCCESS!

Much to the dismay of my fellow Firefighters, Emergency Management Professionals, Paramedics, EMTs, and Police Officers – I didn’t burn my house down.

But it IS time to chow down with the family.

Hope these tweets and posts have helped you out in your turkey adventures today.

Remember:

  • Be safe and do NOT compromise for your safety.
  • Deep frying turkey is NO joke. This is serious business.
  • Make sure your fryer is at least 30 ft away from any house or structure.
  • Do NOT deep fry your turkey on your deck.
  • No kids outside.
  • Stay with your turkey fryer all the time. Do NOT go inside to warm up.
  • Have your cell phone ready and know how to call 9-1-1.
  • Have a fire extinguisher ready to go close by.
  • And of course, no adult beverages while cooking.

Note: For cleanup? I’m going to let the oil cool down for about 6 hours. And regardless if there is no fire, I’m still keeping my extinguisher on the ready.

Keep all of these safety tips handy as you finish your bird this joyous holiday season.

I have much to be thankful for…like you folks as well as my solid family and friends.

Enjoy your evening everyone!

@rusnivek

 

 

Deep Fried Rapid turkey Extraction – starting now! #DFT2013

Ready for rapid turkey extraction #DFT2013

Boots, pants, coat, helmet, gloves on.

Slowly pull out…..SLOWLY!

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OMFG, either this is going to go well, or really bad.

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Wish me luck.

@rusnivek

See…I got full safety precautions here for #DFT2013

Pretty smokey here….but it smells delicious!

Looking good so far! But still, worried about a gigantic fireball here at #DFT2013

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Hot oil will burn you!

Seriously, take FULL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS when checking your deep fried turkey.

@rusnivek

 

Full safety precautions – Time to check on my deep fried turkey #DFT2013

Time to check my deep fried turkey…. Full safety precautions being used #DFT2013

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@rusnivek

Measure the oil with water WITH your bird or else… #DFT2013

And of course you measured your turkey with water and IN the pot before you started heating up the oil right?

Checking your bird’s volume BEFORE you dunk it into bubbling hot oil is a smart move.

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If you haven’t, here’s a few easy steps that only take 60 seconds:

  1. Empty pot.
  2. Insert bird
  3. Add water to cover bird
  4. Remove bird
  5. Measure remaining water. That’s how much peanut oil you put into pot.

Easy right?

If you did NOT measure your oil prior to frying, your pot could overflow…and this could happen to you

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Don’t be crispy this Thanksgiving!

@rusnivek

Frying plastic parts and packaged giblets isn’t a good idea #DFT2013

Also, take a look inside your bird too.

Remove all plastic and extra giblets from inside the bird.

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Cause no one likes fried plastic…

Don’t get the bird from your guests tonight…check your bird again.

@rusnivek

Disaster averted – look what I almost forgot to pull out #DFT2013

More checks this AM.

OMG-look what I almost forgot to pull out

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It would have been disastrous if I had dropped the bird in with this plastic pop top still in.

Double check your birds BEFORE you put it in the oven or deep fryer.

Reporting live from #DFT2013

@rusnivek