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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Sunday full press conference with leadership

Posted on March 15, 2020 by rusnivek

Sunday funday right? #PIO

Looks like we got a prime spot for our presser today. Flag is up so let’s do this.

Assigned: Sunday Press Conference with senior leadership from County Health Department and County Chairman.

Me? I definitely burned the midnight oil but talking points all done. All reviewed and approved.

Let’s get this started because it looks like all my media friends are here. Welcome media partners!

Getting that angle just right….

But don’t forget, pic or it didn’t happen right?

And it’s Sunday so I didn’t a tie was necessary.

So let’s not delay.

Thanks to the friends at NBC5 Chicago for the live streaming of the presser.

Successful press conference with a few issues to review.

Shared learning points:

Trust your more seasoned PIOs to make solid strategic decisions.
Don’t be star-struck with national news media.
Lack of hard copy printing caused some hiccups.
Lack of skills will be very apparent within a few minutes of operation.
Lots to work through as this response will be a long response and even longer recovery.

Moving into the role of External Affairs Officer starting tomorrow. Likely turning on the lights for the Joint Information Center (JIC) too.

Hope your Sunday was good.

Reporting live from the presser….

@rusnivek

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

Emergency Management and Disasters for Glendale Heights’ Leadership #EPIC

Posted on October 11, 2019 by rusnivek

Back in Illinois with the team from Glendale Heights – good morning everyone!

Today, our Emergency Management Agency is bringing the heat as we talk about Emergency Management, crisis and how the magic works…esp during a disaster Starting out the morning welcome with Glendale Heights PD Police Chief Douglas Flint.

To start the morning off, I am honored to share the Incident Command System (ICS) to the leaders and directors from Glendale Heights and beyond.

(Truth be told, I kinda like being the opening act.)

I tailored the ICS part of the class to match the audience. Illustrating the need for ICS as well as the true responsibility in a disaster is critical esp for our peeps!

Our partners like Glendale Heights deserve to get the best info when providing for their community. And when the big one hits, they want a seamless working environment to operate.

Emergency Management = the perfect answer as we collaborate and coordinate with our all-hazards partners to provide resources, staff, etc….

Trust me, when the big one hits, the small stuff counts.

After lunch, we went over the Illinois law re: Emergency Management (301), talked about weather decision modeling, plans, crisis communications, and COOP/COG.

Check out Craig! He can turn on the charm when talking about COG!

Outstanding day with Glendale Heights leadership. Proud to work closely with our partners and leaders here.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s tabletop exercise.

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the State of Ohio #Basic #PIO class #Summit

Posted on February 21, 2018 by rusnivek

Day-2 of the State of Ohio Basic Public Information Officers’ Course here in Summit County. And yaaassss, #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink!

Started off the morning talking about interview skills and techniques that are readily used by both PIOs and Reporters/Photojournalists.

Reviewed all oncamera interviews from all the participants in our class.

We want to prepare our new PIOs with the best training so they are capable off hitting the ground running representing their agency positively in a crisis or emergency.

Steve brought in the Team from WKYC (NBC affiliate) Akron Office to be our panel discussion.

Lots of great points including what could make or break a PIO – esp for a close tight knit community like Akron and Summit County. Special thanks to Reporter Amani Abraham and Photojournalist Carl Bachtel on their insight to news media.

PC: Bosso

I was able to get my friend Cleveland Police PIO Sgt Jennifer Ciaccia to give a dual presentation with me on the 2016 Republican National Convention and other Cleveland activities.

As a team, Jen and I are solid, but we recognize that others are needed to establish the efforts of PIOing within their own communities – no matter pre-planned event or emergency.

And yes, we addressed how PIOs need to keep current on social media trends esp on national cool campaigns…like the mannequin challenge.

Again, special thanks to Jen on the support of today’s State of Ohio Basic PIO class.

PC: Bosso

Afternoon was dedicated to the PIO TTX. We setup two groups with all participants for the in class mock press conference and they did a solid job. Both groups worked together…

…and formulated talking points….

…organized and strategically thought out a press conferences agenda…

…prepped speakers…

And of course controlled the unruly fictitious media reps from OZRadio, WTF, and the YellowBrickRoadNews. FEMA Phil and USFA Tom would be so proud of us MPIOs to see us working the press conference part of the class.

Another great day for PIO training in the State of Ohio!

@rusnivek

State of Ohio EMA G291 Joint Information Center / System class at Medina County EOC

Posted on August 31, 2017 by rusnivek

Packed State of Ohio EMA Joint Information Center / Joint Information System course today!

Started everyone into group work as well as ongoing discussion on the role of SMEs at a press conference.

Just in case, we also tasked participants to start thinking about a policy/protocol for their agency on sneak attack aka ambush interviews.

We found as we leverages our strengths and capitalize on our skills, we as JIC Managers can better meet the needs of any situation – we just gotta find the right PIOs for the job.

As our groups collaborated, we found that despite crossing state lines, we still have the same problems as other areas – thus proving our point that we need to consistently train together and exercise our plans together.

Many of our participants enjoyed working in the JIC setting and were excited to work in a JIC during the next activation. Most excellent as we build a strong cadre of PIOs across this great state.

My Ohio Peeps!

Reporting live from Medina County’s Emergency Operations Center….

@rusnivek

May we head into June 2017?

Posted on June 1, 2017 by rusnivek

May is out like trout and June has come in with a slew of activities as well as the 2017 NBA Finals!

First week I’ll be in Missouri teaching my favorite class – Social Media Tools & Techniques and a functional social media exercise in Columbus. Yes I know, that means I won’t be attending the 2017 UASI Conference in Buffalo. #Boooo. However, my free time will be spent at Game-3 and Game-4 of the 2017 NBA Championships. #GoCavs!!!!!

Second week I will be teaching the FEMA EMI Incident Management Team Plans Section Chief Course in Cincinnati. With so many members from USAR Ohio Task Force-1 (including Schulmann) attending, it’s going to be a fun class. Are you attending?

Third week I think I got blessed with the approval to take the IMT Incident Commanders course at the home EOC in Columbus. Lemme see if I can login this time (Password “JOSHUA”).

Fourth week will be doing some tactical training including quals. #pewpew

Honestly, I just hope to stay afloat this month.

Additionally, June 2017 will serve as the foundation month for the 2018 training schedule. Who’s ready for more classes?!?!?!?

Get your learn on!

@rusnivek

“Attending” the #GSMCon2017 in Dallas #coasttocoastkevin

Posted on April 13, 2017 by rusnivek

Today, I am “attending” the Government Social Media Conference (#GSMCon2017) in Dallas.

Thanks to a few late night ideas spurred by Maryland Emergency Management’s Emily Allen (@allen_emilym) and Garden Grove Fire California Capt Nguyen (@PIOthanhn).

Bahhahahaahaha.

Sounds like an interesting talk from Mary Jo Flynn and Sarah Miller now on Social Media and UAS use by government officials.

Ahem. Well, what can I say?

Maybe a few safety messages on keeping your mobile devices charged…..Wait, Lazo can you help?

I tried to win a few raffle prizes, but sadly that didn’t happen.

While on the step and repeat, Conference host Kristy Dalton is giving me the look…the look to attend #GSMCon2018 too.

I spy, with my right eye…Bronlea too!

Reporting live from…..well Dallas!

@rusnivek

Marching right in…is March!

Posted on March 1, 2017 by rusnivek

Marching right in…is March!

In the first full week, as 1Q starts to close out, I will be finishing up my yearly requirements including compliance and yearly required classes/re-certifications from the agencies I represent.

Second week, I’ll head to Boise to teach some advanced social media courses. Keep your eyes peeled for me in Idaho!

Third week, I’m headed down to Anniston for some FEMA Mission Ready Training with my favorite HQ peeps. Now you know, I wanted to attend the 2017 NEMA Mid-Year Planning Conference, but I just can’t swing it this year.

Then the fourth week, is packed with teaching some new peeps from Woodlawn, everyone’s favorite, ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System (ICS).

Is it spring yet?

@rusnivek

Reviewing the recap from the big 2017 PIO Conference

Posted on February 25, 2017 by rusnivek

Finally reviewing some of the recap video from the PIO Conference in January.

Erica Creech

Great time with over 100 seasoned Public Information Officers (PIOs)…

Jennifer Ciaccia

…from multiple states including from all over Ohio.

Kevin Sur

Saturday night fun stuff.

@rusnivek

Hello to January 2017!

Posted on January 1, 2017 by rusnivek

December was relatively busy but say hello to January 2017!

In the first week, its paperwork mania! As usual, we have yearly update classes that needs to be completed and mandatory inservice training.

Second week, I’ll be headed to the State of New Mexico’s Department of Heath to teach Social media. For my friends in Region-6, I also need to figure out if I’m a green or red. Hmmm.

Third week, I’ll be presenting at the huge PIO Conference in Franklin County (Columbus), Ohio. Working the PIO magic with Jennifer Ciaccia and Erica Creech. It’s a huge conference with tons of participants. Do you want to attend? Just email Xenia (xeniapalus@franklincountyohio.gov ) for more deets.

Fourth week, I head back to St. Clair County Michigan to teach social media. If you remember, these are my peeps who participated in the big Cause IV experiment with the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Canada’s Public Safety on a cross-border full scale exercise in 2016. Excited to see my peeps again!

2017 is here. Bring it!

@rusnivek