I am honored to lead this Joint Information Center (JIC) with the US Secret Service.
I am incredibly thankful for everyone who participated with us from local, county, state, and Federal partners. Welcome to Illinois and the City of Chicago!
2024 Democratic National Convention Joint Information Center
Lots of dangers with these types of National Special Security Events (NSSEs), but through a well coordinated system with highly trained individuals,
Trust me, it took many months of introductions, planning, networking, scheduling, coordinating, and of course collaborating with our most trusted partners from across the country.
I’ve said it before, but it takes a certain skillset to be the agency’s PIO. No day is ever alike.
And no incident or event will ever be the same. Nothing is ever the same.
Proud of the work that was done this week to keep everyone safe.
Reporting live from the 2024 DNC’s Joint Information Center…
Because of the work we will be doing with the US Secret Service, got to be up close and personal with the Beast.
This is the US Presidential limo that takes POTUS around.
As you can probably tell, it’s a bit more fortified than other limos….and protected from stuff.
Additionally, they brought a few support vehicles too. All the prep for the upcoming National Special Security Event (NSSE) with the 2024 Democratic National Convention here in Chicago.
Proud to work close with the US Secret Service in these upcoming events.
Welcome to the third week of 2020 National Preparedness Month! This week, we will be addressing how to prepare for specific disasters.
Compared to other weeks where we talk about general topics, plans, and maybe some things in your kit, we will be talking about how you can get stuff ready for each type of emergency or disaster.
So to start out, let’s talk about information about upcoming disasters.
A solid tool that is almost indispensable is…..your cell phone!
That’s right, that little computer/smart phone in your pocket is a GREAT way that you can discern information and better respond to the emergency.
The FEMA app has a ton of features that could be beneficial to your specific area. Specifically in the notification for five of your identified cities/county.
This feature provides the ability to see what’s going on in a certain area of the country. And since I travel, I always have the first slot in my list for home. This allows me to get any notification on stuff that could be happening at home.
The second, third, and fourth slot are for my family in Los Angles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Gotta keep an eye on the family no matter where they are. Plus an extra set of eyes from another part of the country is beneficial esp if they are sleeping at 0300 and it’s 0800 here.
Since I travel a fair amount, I usually reserve slot #5 (the last slot) for my work travel. Even though I may not be from Central City, I will always know the latest in dangers in my travel city.
From critical tornado warnings or immediate evacuation tsunami warnings – I know I’ll be prepared for my location(s) specific disaster or emergency.
All of the information provided to you….FREE. That’s right-all the details are available to you for free. App is free. No charge from FEMA to download the app. No monthly fee. No recurring administrative charges.
Ahhhh, safety for free.
I got your back.
More free tips tomorrow addressing specific hazards.
As we near the end of the first week, we should also consider our planning and look at evacuation routes. As far as things go, most major routes should be open esp in emergency to allow for those who need to egress to GTFO of there right?!?
While in perfect situations, this would be the case. But lately, we’ve had some challenging situations across the nation that leads me to believe we may not have the option to evacuate safety out of the city.
While most days, all the bridges are down in Chicago.
However the City of Chicago has had some bad luck and was forced to pop the bridges to curtail silly behavior at night.
With almost all the bridges up, that makes travel through the loop a bit more complex and challenging esp when things happen last minute and late at night.
To help deal with these challenging situations, subscribing to the mass notification systems would provide additional information on which roads are closed but amidst the ruckus, perhaps planning alternate routes out of your location would be best.
Easier said than done but necessary when faced with pressures of the safety of yourself and your family.
While it doesn’t have to be a straight shot out, you can exercise various options on how to exit your location and safely rondevous with loved ones in other places.
Remember, plan at least two alternate routes of egress from your location and try your hardest to reduce the amount of complexity after a disaster/emergency.
As always, remain vigilant and make sure you and your family are safe by planning now.
Since this is only the second day of 2020 National Preparedness month, we needed to focus in on your plans before, during, and after an emergency.
On the regular, I get TONS of calls/inquiries from people trying to figure out what’s going on. Many of our friends/families can glean this same info I get from the mass notification systems already in place.
By inputting your information and particular way to be contacted, you can get the most up-to-date information about any part of the city. This includes warnings, hazards, and of course major street closures due to riots, protests, or other weird things that happen in Chicago. Choosing to be notified via text message ensures that no matter where you are, you can be alerted to dangers in your area 24/7. Subscribe for free here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/oem/provdrs/alertchicago/svcs/notifychicago.html
This could include severe weather, road closures, as well as critical information for anyone living/working in the area. You can sign up here: https://www.smart911.com/
From the region:
I rely heavily on our partners from the National Weather Service. While not the primary way, I think their social media work on Twitter is excellent and pull lots of info from them using the alert feature (notifications on) function on Twitter.
Consider following Mike Bardou and the crew from the NWS Chicago or follow your own local NWS office for immediate weather info. There are 122 Weather Forecasting Offices across our great nation.
And finally, with the amount of info and the onslaught of information being pushed to our mobile devices, it’s good to know that IF it’s too much, you can always unsubscribe to any these services.
IF you have family in other parts of the country, consider subscribing to their area notifications. Doesn’t hurt to help a loved one out as they maybe be too busy, sleeping, or incapable of understanding the severity of their situation. More on that tomorrow.
Keep it safe during this first week of National Preparedness Month by making your plan!
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!!!!
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Where is @rusnivek? 