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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Safety-PIO-SM-15-001: Maximize your digital real estate

Posted on January 16, 2015 by rusnivek

15-001: Maximize your digital real estate
Agency: Sheriff Patricia Ninmann	Topic(s): Writing for Facebook
Date: 01-16-15	Platform: Facebook

Immediate posts are important, but using valuable social media space is way more important. This was evident when this press release was plainly copied and pasted into this Sheriff’s Facebook page.

On social media, people already know that your posts are for “immediate release” because Facebook puts your status in the timeline and then time/date stamps it for everyone. Also writing with all caps infers YELLING or SCREAMING. As public servants, we strive to bring peace to stressful situations including in messaging.

On Facebook, Sheriff’s name is listed right at the top so it isn’t necessary to repeat it again in the content. Email address in a post? Most likely, people will just click the “Comment” button below your post and respond back. They will likely not email you questions.

That space you are using is PRIME digital real estate. Do not repeat already posted information as readers will rapidly lose interest in your post. But DO write a concise and interesting status update with picture(s) to draw more interest from your audience. Remember that social media is a visual medium.

A more effective Facebook post could have read

Today, Dodge County Sheriff’s Officers responded to an auto crash with severe injury involving… <insert picture from crash>

By phrasing it this way:

You identify the agency responding to the incident and the incident itself.
You pull the reader in with a leading headline and help news reporters write their story.
You use a picture from the incident that helps increase interest in your post.
You use Facebook’s prime digital real estate in everyone’s timeline and push good information.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-001

Solid weekend ICS class in Belmont County

Posted on December 8, 2014 by rusnivek

Great weekend ICS class!

Good mix of participants from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Alabama (serving FEMA Region-5, Region-3, and Region-4).

Building all-hazards partnerships early and planning together is a defining factor for success…esp in HAZMAT emergencies.

Special thanks to Antero and Belmont County Emergency Management Agency for the hospitality.

Glad to be a small part in facilitating the new partnerships.

@rusnivek

Busy December for 5 and 3 and 9 but no on 10

Posted on December 1, 2014 by rusnivek

After a busy November, let’s continue the push hard into December please!

This Wednesday, I’ll be headed to Michigan to teach with FEMA Region-5 on continuity.

Upon the return to Ohio, I’ll make the quick turnaround and head down to southern Ohio/West Virginia to teach ICS-300. A double serving of Region-5 and Region-3.

Then head to Fulton County, Ohio (Toledo area) to teach a Basic PIO course with my favorite PIOs in the biz. Back in Region-5 baby!

The Oregon trip was canceled so No Region-10 for me. Boooooooooooooooo. But ongoing through December, I have two priority special projects for R9 and R5 that need to close too. So no futzing around!

December summary: Yes on 5, 3, and 9…but no on 10.

I’m just hoping to spend some family time sometime. Happy holidays everyone!

@rusnivek

Presenting some social media magic here in Ashtabula

Posted on August 28, 2014 by rusnivek

Did someone say “social media magic”? Heck yeah…and it’s right here in Ashtabula: the use of social media during disasters!

Making sure we cover the entire state, we hit Columbus yesterday and today, we are setup in the farthest NE corner of Ohio, Ashtabula County.

We are fortunate to have State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) PIO Tamara McBride (from Columbus) peek into the class and say hi to everyone.

Leveraging our current technologies during non-emergency times will help concrete our actions and increase our communications during disasters.

Looking forward to seeing some great progress and interaction in social media.

Additionally, it’s so nice to see old friends and colleagues from my past. Truly outstanding.

No matter wearing my flight helmet, my hospital shirt, my fire helmet, whatever….I’m just glad to see great friends again.

@rusnivek

AAR / IP on the Toledo Water Contamination today

Posted on August 25, 2014 by rusnivek

I’m facilitating the After-Action-Review / Improvement Plan for Fulton County from the Toledo Water Contamination.

Lots of discussion from this all-hazards group of pros.

Good Emergency Management discussions today!

Most importantly, glad to see lots of engagement from everyone here.

@rusnivek

All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding

Posted on August 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.

I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.

Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).

Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.

IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.

Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.

@rusnivek

Structure vs Ambo – as usual, structure won #EMS

Posted on July 13, 2014 by rusnivek

City & County of Honolulu: Ambulance accident w/ patient on 07-12-14.

Here’s the initial picture from the incident.

Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Few things to review:

1. Good reminder to check your “Maximum height is ****” plate on your rig.
2. Law enforcement officials should really know the area, including height clearances.

3. Even if Police are leading you out, Fire/EMS should always be aware of your surroundings.

4. Social media is fast and information pertaining to your ongoing situations will always be faster than a PIO.

5. I can already see it now: “Dear Chief, I don’t know what happened…”

6. Crews should have their seatbelts on at all times while the vehicle is moving.

Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Thoughts and prayers to the initial victim of the first emergency call.

I hope the leadership in Honolulu figure out the issues at hand. Emergency Service Professionals need some rest.

@rusnivek

Social Media Mojo in Miami County today #TRexArms

Posted on July 11, 2014 by rusnivek

Breaking down the social media mojo this morning in Miami County, Ohio in FEMA Region-V baby!

Lots of great questions so far…

…also a few questions about my T-Rex arms too.

After class, I’m looking forward to my detail at Tipp City Fire today.

@rusnivek

Hawaii just updated their Emergency Management laws

Posted on June 21, 2014 by rusnivek

Nice work to General Wong and Vice Director Mayne on the Governor’s signing of House Bill 849 for the Hawaii State Civil Defense….I mean the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

It’s always great to see solid progress to benefit residents of Hawaii in case of statewide disaster or local emergency.

@rusnivek

Governor Signs Bill Updating Hawaii’s Emergency Management Laws

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed House Bill 849 (Act 111), a measure that updates the state’s emergency management statues, including clarification of the relationship between state and county emergency management agencies and the emergency management functions and powers of the governor and mayors.

The bill was introduced in the 2013 legislative session and updates laws more than 60 years old that were primarily focused on nuclear attack and civil unrest.

“This measure will ensure that the state is better prepared for all catastrophic events, both natural and manmade, in safeguarding the people of Hawaii,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “In addition, this act will better integrate state and county disaster response planning and reorganizes the authorities and responsibilities of government leaders, providing the public with increased clarity during difficult and uncertain circumstances.”

The signing of this bill also changes the name of State Civil Defense to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Hawaii was the last state to retain the use of civil defense in reference to its emergency management agency. This change brings Hawaii in line with modern best practices and updates the outdated language and references used in prior statutes.

Act 111 also establishes an Emergency Reserve Corps and authorizes the 24/7 State Warning Point, both critical increases in the state’s readiness to respond to hazards. It does not significantly change the governor’s emergency powers, but it does vest county mayors with emergency authorities independent of the state emergency management structure.

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Accountability is key in any event or disaster – Well done Chief!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by rusnivek

Glad to see my T-card class is being used already for all the public safety professionals in the Mahoning County area today for their big event Thunder Over the Valley.

Way to use ICS and NIMS for resource allocation on scene as well as in the air too (And we all know it’s not easy keeping up with the USAF Thunderbirds).

Also, check out a behind the scenes shot from Bazetta Fire Chief Dennis Lewis at their Incident Command Post. OSC, PSC, and RESL positions referencing those valuable T-cards.

For any occasion, event, or disaster – accountability will make or break you. So make sure your crews know what to do.

Keep up the solid work peeps!

@rusnivek