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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Big cameras vs phones?

Posted on February 2, 2020 by rusnivek

Sunday reflection – just some quick screen shots of the ongoing press conferences from the back on the rotorwing aircraft crash in CA. Take a look.

Do you see it?

Count how many phones vs big cameras.

Amazing to see the change in technology as we move from

My PIO observations

Try your best to make room for those reporters w/ phones only. Obviously, they can’t pool, so maybe a stand for video.
Media should be considerate of the notification of next of kin. Loved ones should NEVER find out of death from media reports.
Malt boxes are nice for secure locations, but likely in an outside field setup (like this one), it might not be possible.
At the close of the presser, clearly state the time of the next press conference so that media will have a good idea what info will be delivered and of your partners on what to prepare.
In the mass/swarm of the location, consideration to elevate your primary talent. If that’s not possible, perhaps give them some room around the podium to deliver message.

Good work on an undoubtedly difficult incident.

@rusnivek

FEMA OEMA Basic PIO Day-2 in Lake County’s EOC

Posted on January 22, 2020 by rusnivek

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.

@rusnivek

Crisis Comms meetings at ARC Chicago

Posted on March 2, 2019 by rusnivek

Afternoon meetings with the Communications team with the Red Cross of Chicago!

Case studies? Social media? Response training? Media training? Yeppers, all of that stuff for for the L-team to boots-on-the-ground staff.

Looking forward to some upcoming Crisis Comms training with all their staff.

@rusnivek

Live spot with News13 in Cudjoe Key for #Hurricane #Irma Response & Recover #Miami #Tallahassee #Orlando #Tampa

Posted on October 17, 2017 by rusnivek

Got a chance to do a live spot with News13 out of Orlando in Cudjoe Key, Florida.

Inside, it’s a whole different view.

As you know, Cat-4 Hurricane Irma made eye wall landfall here with incredible high winds and storm surge leaving heavy devastation throughout this neighborhood.

Lots to see and do esp w/ their field producing and staff onsite. I counted at least 7 cameras for their 6p live shot.

They even had a jib camera.

People will stare including our staff and state director.

Lots of steadycam shots leading into the first interview with former State of Florida Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon.

Next live segment was with our Division Supervisor (DIV/SUP) who happens to be an Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) member.

Solid questions on response efforts and good inquiries for ongoing operations for recovery phase.

Great interactions and questions from the anchors.

Lots to discuss in response as well as recovery.

As you know, the recovery phase is the hardest part of a disaster.

Glad to be partnering with news agencies who get the story right. The Anchors and producer was super nice…so of course I had to take a selfie w/ them. Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

Making sure we represent FEMA – particularly Branch V Division Alpha.

Reporting live on News13 from Cudjoe Key, Florida…
@rusnivek

Another Governor and FCO visit with PIO media coordination

Posted on September 25, 2017 by rusnivek

Another Florida Governor visit with our senior administration and Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO).

Tight quarters so I had to set the cameras far back.

Little known fact, positioning and seats AT the table is important. A PIOs job is to get the right optic for media.

I even found a reporter shooting stills in between the arms of attendees.

Cramped space makes it tight and a little schwetty!

After the actual meeting was over, we had several post meeting interviews including 10News and Telemundo. Great to see so many news outlets covering the Governor’s message…

…and our message from FEMA.

Solid day on Hurricane Irma disaster response and recovery for Florida.

#PIO is OK!

@rusnivek

State of Ohio EMA – Basic Public Information Officer’s Course in Medina County

Posted on August 30, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-2 of Ohio EMA’s Basic Public Information Officer’s course here in Medina County EMA welcoming participants from two different FEMA Regions to our class!

We have representation from almost every ESF – outstanding to see that kind of participation in our state class.

It’s going to be a packed two days of training including classroom discussion…

…complex in-class activities…

…on-camera interviews…

…engaging (and crazy reporter) type questions…

…and of course we had several contentious mock press conferences.

Train like you fight right? We also discussed how our varied experiences lends a ton of expertise to our ongoing operations in any community across this great nation.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s JIC/JIS course!

@rusnivek

First looks at my #Spectacles From #SnapChat Part-1

Posted on March 7, 2017 by rusnivek

Here’s my first observation with SnapChat’s #Spectacles

They are big. Here’s a comparison from my Spectacles vs an ordinary pair of Oakley Holbrook sunglasses.

Obv featuring an Engine and a Squad.

Yeah yeah, I know they are now called Snap, but I believe if you reference “Snap” this is what most everyone thinks.

More tomorrow peeps.

@rusnivek

Great first day of Basic Public Information Officer #PIO Course in Athens County Ohio

Posted on February 15, 2017 by rusnivek

Kicking off another solid FEMA / Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer’s course.

We have participants from across the state of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia!

So Region-5 and Region-3 are well represented.

Proud to have a diverse class this week in Athens County, Ohio.

Lots of class engagement with several opening activities assessing preparedness levels as well as gaps in PIO responses.

Addressing difficult situations (aka anticipating media questions) with PIOs or agency heads before they happen is a critical skill that every PIO should master.

Deep discussion on how all-hazards PIOs could support various operations with public safety. Also dissecting how Strategic Communications play a crucial role in planning.

#StratComms4Lyfe

On camera mock media interviews in the afternoon with focus on answering questions, talking points, redirects, and of course preparedness. Great time to hone the skills of every PIO and agency head.

Show and tell on preparedness kits and PIO go readiness kits.

PC: E. Creech

Including my famous “PIO stick”

PC: J. Beckett

Looking forward to day-2!

@rusnivek

On camera crisis interviews, SnapChat, and FacebookLive showcasing the new Quint

Posted on December 22, 2016 by rusnivek

Doing some PIO camera work today. Don’t be nervous!

Even for the most experienced professional, on camera interviews are challenging, but the more you do them, the easier it gets. Additionally, we were fortunate to have several participants with past media (TV and newspaper) experiences to share with the class too.

Social media? You bet! We talked a ton about SnapChat too.