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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Ohio Statewide Amber Alert on a Sunday from Licking County #FathersDay

Posted on June 18, 2017 by rusnivek

AMBER Alert on #FathersDay – not a good afternoon.

Not only do you get email notification…

…social media picked up on it right away…

…EAS Alerts go off to everyone in the proximity…

…and roadside signs instantly broadcast the same message.

Where and why did AMBER Alert first start?

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation.

How does it work?

Once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. AMBER Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and DOT highway signs. AMBER Alerts can also be re-disseminated through lottery, digital billboards, Internet Ad exchanges, Internet Service Providers, Internet search engines, as well as wireless devices such as mobile phones.

How effective has it been?

As of December 23, 2015 there have been 800 children rescued and returned specifically because of AMBER Alert. AMBER Alerts also serve as deterrents to those who would prey upon our children. AMBER Alert cases have shown that some perpetrators release the abducted child after hearing the AMBER Alert.

Do not ignore these Amber Alerts.
Be aware of your surroundings.

Look out for your neighbors.

Read the alert, call if you see something/someone matching the description and make your community safer.

@rusnivek

*****************Update as of 06-18-17 at 19:38*****************

Child was found safe. Keiria Marie Trent girl was found safe with a relative.

Thank you for participating in the Ohio AMBER Alert.

**END**

Last day of #preparedness talks in Georgia in Glynn County

Posted on April 27, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great day in Georgia talking about preparedness to various pros.

Special thanks to Glynn County (GA) EMA Director Jay Wiggins for hosting the class…

…and special thanks to Laura Ginn who coordinated efforts on behalf of everyone in City, County, and State of Georgia.

Glad to see so many participants here to learn but more importantly, share information and challenges and success stories they found within their community. Espically when it comes to senior care and supportive care – these issues need to be talked about openly and various members of family and staff need to be aware of challenges they may face when disaster strikes.

Aside from www.ready.gov program – there are a ton of other agencies to follow to ascertain great and trusted information.

Remember, a short time ago, this entire area was hit by Hurricane Matthew with MANDATORY evacuations.

Building these kinds of relationships before a disaster can only strengthen our efforts in response and recovery.

Plus, it’s super awesome to hang with like-minded individuals who are so dedicated to preparedness.

Be safe peeps!

@rusnivek

Twinsburg Fire for a bit today

Posted on April 21, 2017 by rusnivek

Spent part of my day at Twinsburg Fire (Summit County, OH).

Great to see Fire Chief Tim Morgan. Fun fact, I first met him when he was a new red helmet. We talked a bit about regionalization as well as building partnerships through our IMTs (Incident Management Teams).

But the fun began when I got a chance to chat with Assistant Fire Chief Steve Bosso about PIO stuff.

And of course other stuff too.

Say it with me: “partnerships”

Trust me, its great to have such an outspoken advocate for safety at Twinsburg and Summit County.

Be safe peeps – always lean on your trusted fellow peeps before the big one hits.

@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

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

Presenting today at the 2016 CEAO Annual Conference #PIO

Posted on December 6, 2016 by rusnivek

Presenting today at the 2016 County Engineers Association of Ohio Annual Conference!

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Public Information stuff as well as some Communications Strategies for government officials.

I’ll try not to dance on stage today.

Maybe.

Looks like it’s going to be a fun class!

@rusnivek

SURprise visit to my favorite Social Media class #NDPTC

Posted on November 5, 2016 by rusnivek

Who just shows up at a brand new social media class?!?

Glad to see the newly FEMA certified, NDPTC Social Media Tools and Techniques Course (PER-344) to Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Also glad to see so many fellow peeps as well as public safety professionals who are willing to utilize technology to better their agencies.

Great engagement especially during classroom activities by instructors too.

Seriously, I’m proud to see that this class can help shape the way government and public safety agencies use social media in planned events as well as before, during, and after a disaster.

Super proud.

@rusnivek

Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s November ICS-400 class in Belmont County

Posted on November 3, 2016 by rusnivek

Kicking off Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) ICS-400: Advanced ICS this morning in Belmont County, Ohio.

Great to see so many familiar faces from the previous ICS-300 class too!

Diverse participants from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia makes for a great class.

Additionally, participants represent local, state, and Federal Officials – this makes it an incredible group.

Dynamic activity discussion on Area command as well as spirited discussion on resource allocation for priorities – all the hallmarks of a great engaged class.

Looking forward to Friday – the final day!

@rusnivek

November includes the 2016 World Series too #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

Posted on November 1, 2016 by rusnivek

October was great but a busy November is here!

First week, I’ll be supporting the Cleveland PIOs during the 2016 World Series. Later in the week, I’ll be in southern Ohio teaching ICS-400 in Belmont County (Ohio).

Second week will be a few social media classes in SE Georgia who are still in recovery operations from Hurricane Matthew.

Third week will be all Arizona.

And then the Fourth week will some Thanksgiving fun.

Who’s excited for Turkey in November? Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And for tonight’s World Series Game-6 Cubs vs Indians: #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

@rusnivek

Back in R4 at Cobb County EOC for Winter Weather Hazards

Posted on October 24, 2016 by rusnivek

Back in Georgia again teaching Winter Weather preparedness today.

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I am fortunate to teach at Cobb County’s Emergency Operations Center. I esp like the sound dampening walls and modular setup. Bonus points on the police museum too.

Numerous all-hazard agencies represented as participants shared past experiences from previous historic regional ice storms and complex response challenges.

Dynamic class with challenging table top exercise (TTE) with very creative injects.

I am grateful for the opportunity to teach again in Region-4.

@rusnivek