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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Wilson…I mean Willson!

Posted on November 13, 2015 by rusnivek

The varied schedule allowed me to catch up to one of Cleveland’s finest Paramedics – Jim Willson!

The man, the myth, the legend, Commander Jim Willson! In lieu of posting an embarrassingly old picture of Cmdr Willson, I figured this one is best. Plus he knows too many stories.

I remember first meeting Jim at the ER. Years later, I remember meeting him again during EMS week as a Cleveland EMS Commander. Shortly thereafter, I sat and co-chaired the UASI EMS Functional Committee…Jim was always there.

(Funny note: I remember spelling his name wrong for about a decade until I got it right. Jeez.)

Jim’s career at Cleveland spans decades including finishing his career with Cleveland Public Safety as the Emergency Operations Center Manager. Almost every time I was in the EOC, Jim was there. I can’t think of a more dedicated EMS professional who’s been there/done that.

So glad to catch up to my friend Jim Wilson…I mean Willson.

@rusnivek

My old friend = new NEOhio ARC Disaster Program Officer

Posted on October 13, 2015 by rusnivek

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

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

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

Interim Cleveland Fire Chief

Posted on October 9, 2015 by rusnivek

Heh-I knew him when he wore black gear…

@rusnivek

FSC at CLE on SAT AM #training

Posted on September 19, 2015 by rusnivek

It’s full scale exercise time…who’s excited?

********This is only training – only a planned drill********

Wait, doesn’t everyone hang out at the airport on Saturdays?

@rusnivek

Day-5 with an alternate juror, puppies, and ongoing deliberations! #JuryDuty

Posted on August 28, 2015 by rusnivek

Day-5 of my Jury Duty! Bueller? Bueller? Hello?

Jury Assembly Room

As you can see, almost all the jurors were excused for the week. Many have served and are done with their assigned cases. Some potential jurors didn’t even get called. It’s all random. So there is a strong possibility that you will get sent home if there are no cases to be had.

Aside from the typical 12 jurors needed to serve, judges will normally have two alternate jurors. This is done just in case one of the 12 jurors are unable to fulfill their duty to the courts/case.

Jury box action shot

This is exactly what happened to us this morning. Juror #3 was out so Alternate juror #1 dropped right in the slot. Alternate jurors listen to the entire case and can easily slide into a main juror slot at anytime assigned by the judge.

Also, I couldn’t pass up a grand view of Tower City Center looking so stately in the sunny Cleveland daylight.

Tower City Center – 2015

If you get assigned to Jury Duty, bring your camera. Chances are, you’ll see some spectacular views of downtown #CLE.

BTW-Yesterday, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Courts’ Cleveland APL Mobile Unit Program to bring puppies every other week so that jurors can play with them during their lunch break on Thursdays. Superb idea! Sadly, I had to catch up on a few emails so I didn’t have time to play with the puppies.

For our specific criminal case? Deliberations are still ongoing so it’s not over yet!

Shhhhh! Trying to deliberate!

Main question in the deliberation rooms are guilty vs not guilty. That’s it. In these courts, the jury does not decide punishment – that’s only grand jury cases.

The judge explained in detail, the laws pertaining to the case. He reviewed all four counts in detail, gave definitions, and reminded us again that for our criminal case, we only decide guilty or not guilty on each of the charges.

So yes, if you can register to vote, you do possess the skills to be a juror!

Gotta get back to deliberating. I’m definitely earning my keep this week doing my civic duty!

Reporting live from the deliberation room…

@rusnivek

Spin the wheel for #JuryDuty!

Posted on August 27, 2015 by rusnivek

On entering the Justice Center from Lakeside Avenue, look to your immediate left.

Back in the day, this all wood contraption was how the courts choose you for jury duty. Yep – a simple spin of the wheel gets you assigned. C’mon Vanna! Heck, I’m even more impressed that someone hasn’t smashed this thing out of frustration.

In all honesty, it’s really amazing how the judicial system has progressed over the years…esp the random population of the pool. From our initial court briefing, they pull potential jurors from voter registration stats because they feel that those who are responsible to vote truly care about the community.

Since we are stuck indoors all day, the view out from the justice center is quite nice.

I wish Amtrak made more daytime stops in Cleveland.

For those that work downtown, Cuyahoga County has done a ton of work with increasing green space.

And since I know all of you want to know, our courtroom is relatively quiet.

Well, it is almost lunch time.

Reporting live on day four in the Jury box!

@rusnivek

#JuryDuty has some spectacular views of downtown Cleveland

Posted on August 25, 2015 by rusnivek

Downtown Cleveland has some pretty spectacular views of downtown.

Perfect day to be….inside.

Special thanks to Darren Toms on the historical tour at lunch. So much associated with the court system here in NE Ohio.

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Ladies and gents….here’s PIO Pro Darren Toms!

Related to my adventures here on #JuryDuty – apparently, I must have said the right things as I was chosen to serve on a criminal case.

Great to see our appointed judge explain the process in detail. This really helps everyone understand the judicial process and the importance of voir dire or Frenchly-translated to say what is true. Lots of questions by potential jurors today.

Appeals court (I wish I was working in this courtroom)

Shhhhh – I gotta pay attention!

Doing my civic duty and reporting live from green chairs in the Justice Center jury booth…

@rusnivek

CPD Challenge Coin

Posted on July 31, 2015 by rusnivek

Another special challenge coin!

Never had one from Cleveland Police before.

Special thanks to Captain Sulzer on a fun assignment in Cleveland.

@rusnivek

Holy jet! Did I really win?

Posted on July 29, 2015 by rusnivek

Holy jet!

I think I just won a contest thanks to social media.

frontier06p

Now where should I go. Hmmm…

Standby for details!

@rusnivek

Press credentials discussed

Posted on July 22, 2015 by rusnivek

We talked a little about press credentials last week in our Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) class. Here’s an example of Chicago’s press creds.

(Some of you may remember Erin Kennedy from WKYC 3 here in Cleveland).

PIO Pro Tip: Build trusted relationships w/ the media prior to an incident.

@rusnivek