In a time where the future looks bleak due to a national paper goods shortage.
No, no, no…wait a sec…
Breaking news…reports out of the battle field indicate a tear in the armor…
No, no, no….that’s not it at all.
Come work with us and you won’t have to worry about that kinda stuff. For realsz. If you were worried about toilet paper, fear not!
We got all the stuff you need here at work.
Basically, this post is a basic needs necessity. You have to provide for the needs of your employees. During a crisis, their stress levels skyrocket and they are probably having a tough time adjusting to the new schedules and response rhythm.
As a leader of your organization, you must give your employees the sound mind to be able to function and act as needed. Your team does NOT need to be distracted by the basic creature comforts of home while trying to make an impact/difference in the community.
Let me repeat that one more time: In the midst of battle, allow your team to make good decisions.
Provide for them the tools they need, allow them to do their thing, and trust their judgement. You hired them for a reason right? Let your staff make your organization shine.
Butt seriously, don’t worry, we got you covered. 🤣
The time has come to welcome all of our graduates of the FEMA Basic Academy here at DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management!
“This is the first FEMA Basic Academy offered here in Illinois and we are proud to bring this Emergency Management foundation education here to DuPage County.” said Academy Instructor Kevin Sur. “The skills learned during this intensive course from November through March builds the framework for all Emergency Managers combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts, and practices of leading actions for future leaders.”
The course started in November 2019 where participants were exposed to all mission areas including a myriad of case studies that highlighted the importance of collaboration and coordination in the response and recovery phase of any disaster or emergency.
In January 2020, participants took a deep dive into the science of disasters as well as planning to better help and understand the threats and dangers to each of their own communities.
To understand our hazards, we must understand legit science so that we can use the right resources to solve the problem.
The last week in March 2020, the class focused on the hot button topic of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program and the Public Information and Warning course. Special thanks to new FEMA MEPP DuPage County OHSEM Sup Corey Mulryan for teaching with me on this one.
Participants debated the use of mass notification systems, social media in targeting specific audiences, and the value of the Public Information Officer (PIO) who’s role is so vital to the success of the agency.
Proud to be a part of the Instructional delivery team to get this first class here at DuPage County OHSEM.
Who’s who in the zoo? Well, we had participants from 6 different states, 3 different FEMA Regions with a diverse crowd from local, county, state, and Federal partners.
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
As we rolled into the graduation, I was able to make some opening remarks and thanking our most esteemed guests in the room.
Glad to hear from the new FEMA Region V Deputy Regional Administrator Kevin Sligh.
Deputy RA Sligh is a graduate of the program and is proud to see this foundational course being used as the marker of success for local Emergency Managers.
We also got a chance to hear from FEMA Region 5 Training & Exercise Manager Jessica Mitchell on the value of training. She is a proud resident of DuPage County.
And finally, to close things out, ladies and gents….put your hands together for Former IEMA Director and former Director of DuPage OHSEM….FEMA Region V Regional Administrator James Joseph!!!!
Day-2 of the FEMA OEMA Basic Public Information Officer courses. Back at it for the morning sunshine in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) here in Lake County.
Loving how they still have the nod to the older Civil Defense logos here.
Steve opted for a faster pace today so he blew through Palumbo Plastics scenario.
After walking through a few tabletop exercises, we shifted into the classroom review of all PIO on-camera interviews. Legit on camera interviews.
The realistic scenario has been shared hundreds if not thousands of times. All of which point to crisis comms, PIOs sharing (or not sharing) information and how they can improve their on camera presence to their audiences through spoken word and non-verbal cues. Pretty much the hallmark of any PIO on camera.
In the mix, Steve shared his EMAC deployment w/ to South Carolina for Hurricane Florence.
Another outstanding day in Lake County as our participants are fully engaged in another class. Looking forward tomorrow with great engagement for the JIC/JIS class.
Day-2 of the FEMA Basic Public Information Officer Course here.
Glad to finally meet Lexington Fire Capt Jessica Bowman who is also one of the FEMA Master PIOs.
Great day to share some of the tools we use as PIOs. Here’s Sherelle and John talking about the importance and fashionable safety vests are for officials onscene.
Additionally, we discussed media being well visible as their safety is incredibly important. We can’t have our friends in the news business get hurt or become part of the incident.
And trust me, the more people who get injured in an incident, the more paperwork we all have to fill out….so be safe!
As usual, we had a very seasoned media panel from WLEX18 Bill Wilcox and Herald Leader Peter Baniak. Many thanks to both news organizations to spend time out of their busy schedule to spend with PIOs from across the state.
With all Basic PIO classes, we talk about the ability and flexibility for PIOs to do field reporting. Often times, reporters can’t get to a scene because of traffic or lack of staffing. Either way, we as government PIOs can help them out by packaging information they need from the scene. The tools needed to produce this kind of info is fairly easy to get, however the challenge is to put them into play.
By sharing the tactics and tools in class, I am able to improve the skills of any PIO by enhancing their ability to share solid timely and TRUSTED information with any of the targeted audiences.
As PIOs, we are beholden to so many audiences.
Public
Media
Leadership
Our internal teams.
At times, our job seems easy however once you dive into it, you can see the complexities of our efforts.
Don’t worry, we reviewed all mock on camera interviews. Tackled key concepts like redirects as well as some tips on how to give more positive non-verbals while being interviewed during crisis.
Super fun day with everyone. Lots of contributions from our partners from Fire, EMS, Police, Emergency Management, Energy, Coroner’s Office, Higher Education, Search and Rescue.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s FEMA JIC/JIS course!
Morning start to the FEMA Basic Public Information Officer course at the Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC)
Welcome and good morning by Mr. JB himself!
Packed house with multiple disciplines represented from Fire, EMS, Police, Emergency Management, ESF-12, higher education, Search and Rescue, Coroners Office, etc…
Like a good Emergency Manager, I found the EOC.
They have soooo many tools and toys to play with!
As all FEMA Basic PIO courses, we are staunch advocates of putting all participants in front of the camera. No matter what kind of experience level or years in the position, you can always learn by practicing your skills in front of others.
We typically hear complaints.
I didn’t get enough time to prepare.
I didn’t get the information in time.
I don’t know anything about plane crashes!
Blah blah blah. But the reality of the situation is….IT HAPPENS LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE!!!!!!!!
So yeah, we want to train like you fight.
For those that were wondering “Has this ever happened before?” Yes.
Looking forward to tomorrow day-2 with our news media panel, interview reviews, and focus on social media.
It’s just another Manic Monday as we start another FEMA OEMA Basic PIO Course here at Defiance County Emergency Management Agency (Ohio). Cue the Guns n Roses intro music!
Not going to lie, all signs point to a large contingent from our law enforcement community here today.
Lots of new PIOs in the audience today as we try to share the good word from so many agencies. Almost every ESF is represented!
All-hazards coolio on Monday!
As an added instructor bonus, we get a chance to see what campaigns that Ohio EMA has worked for previous outreach activities in Ohio. Hi Nancy!!!!!
My lunch time views include a few red fire trucks.
Ahhhhh, I feel better now.
And in classic fashion, we are most definitely doing on-camera interviews.
While seemingly insignificant, this is the part of the class that participants find is the most valuable for their ongoing career.
Me? I’d rather you have that experience and training and never use it vs never having that training and then being thrown to the wolves in a crisis or emergency.
Train like you fight right?
Reporting live from the EOC as I ask those challenging media-esque questions…
Where is @rusnivek? 