This week it’s all about Logistics! #LSC #IMT 

This week, I head the FEMA EMI course: All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) Logistics Section Chief (LSC) Course.

We happen to be teaching at the home of one of my favorite Ohio teams: FEMA USAR Ohio Task Force-1.

Obviously, their strategic home Wright Patterson Air Force Base is key in rapid deployments for any national disaster or emergency.

Looking forward to making sure we cram as much stuff into this course because,

LOGISTICS MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

Suit up and see you in class this week!

@rusnivek

Busy September 2016 = National Preparedness Month #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

August was solid, but September is going to be huge because it’s NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH!!!!!

First and second week, it’ll all be planning for a gigantic upcoming all-hazards PIO/PAO Conference.

Third week will be spent teaching ICS-300 for Ohio EMA to my friends in the SW part of Ohio. And then on Friday, attending the Ohio PIO Symposium.

Fourth week, I’ll be teaching at Washington DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management EOC. Upon return, then presenting at the Wayne County (Ohio) Fire Chief’s Conference on PIO/Social Media.

Fifth week, I’ll be presenting on PIO and cyber at the infrastructure at the statewide infrastructure protection conference in Region-7. Who knows, if I can do it, maybe some tactical training in Alliance too. #pewpew

And ALL month long, I’ll be participating in National Preparedness month activities that you can share with your constituents. If we can better prepare our peeps, we can increase our national level of community resilience.

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Thanks to the www.ready.gov program, it is easier than ever to get involved and prepared.

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Hope to see you engaging during this important month.

“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

@rusnivek

PIO Tip: Frame your shot and reduce your onscene variables

I was finishing up my AARs and found a picture from the last night of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

Quick tip for you PIOs doing field reporting: Frame your shot.

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Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams doing an interview with Time Magazine. Obvious chalked roadway with profane statement behind him. Videographer is recording at an upward angle to frame his subject.

During the RNC, we found that it was critical to frame the shot. Onscene shots were particularly tough because so many activist groups had signs, chalked, or painted words that are inappropriate for pictures or even worse yet, uncontrolled live broadcast hits (Periscope or FacebookLive or YouTubeLive).

Additionally, live outdoor broadcasts from the scene are challenging because it is difficult to control the natural and man-made variables.

So as PIOs we need to reduce any signs, ropes, wires, etc….that could affect your framed shot.

 

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Trust me, reduce the amount of variables to a bare minimum.

Focus your energy in delivering your message. #PIO

@rusnivek

 

Can this little guy really save Cleveland on Thursday? #CJSavesCLE

Can this hero with half a heart save Cleveland tomorrow?

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Find out as I do the live social media reporting all day on Thursday December 17th, 2015.

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#CJSavesCLE

Follow along with me on Twitter: @CLEPolice or Facebook: ClevelandPolice

Or tune in to Fox 8 for all the live breaking news.

@rusnivek

My old friend = new NEOhio ARC Disaster Program Officer

Congrats to my old friend Tim O’Toole – the new Disaster Program Officer for the Northeast Ohio Red Cross!

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Tim just retired out of the Cleveland Fire Department as an Assistant Fire Chief…

Photo credit: Robert Burrow

CFD AC O’Toole. (Photo credit: Robert Burrow)

…and yes, Tim and I wore white helmets together.

http://neoredcross.org/2015/10/12/new-disaster-ops-chief-now-onboard/

We worked several large incidents and events for Fire/EMS as well as Emergency Management. Tim is an incredible resource for NE Ohio. I am so glad to see that he will continue to serve the area for the American Red Cross.

@rusnivek

FSC SUR? WTH?!?

There are days when you are comfortable in your space.

There are days when you feel uncomfortable in your space.

Then there are the days that you feel completely out of place and are trying like hell to survive. This moment was one of them.


That time I was put into a FSC role. Yep, I said I was assigned as the Finance Section Chief. Holy Mary Mother of God! As you guessed, I do not typically serve as the FSC so this was definitely out of my comfort zone. However, I was told that I needed to diversify my roles and try something new. Clearly, sink-or-swim time.

From the evaluators, I did an excellent job and navigated my section through several tough challenges. I am proud of my crew who filled their F/A roles extremely well. Hell yeah!

Special thanks to TEEX for an excellent course everyone should be required to attend.

What did I learn? Make sure you take the time to look inwards and see where growth is needed. Comfortable is easy. Challenging situations allow leaders to shine.

Be a leader.

@rusnivek