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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Quick chat with FEMA Deputy Administrator Dan Kaniewski

Posted on October 25, 2019 by rusnivek

I was fortunate this week to sit down this week with FEMA Deputy Administrator for Resilience Dan Kaniewski at FEMA HQ.

Dan’s efforts across the country has helped pushed the importance of preparedness and strength for any community. With regular talks on flood insurance and hazard mitigation, his ability to bring pre-disaster planning to the forefront has been solid as we continue to help many communities better prepare for any disaster or emergency.

Dan’s hard fought efforts is not only with government agencies, but various partners in the public and private sector too. The importance of their efforts will only help better their community when disaster strikes.

Glad to see our top brass pushing for more preparedness every single day too.

Reporting live from FEMA HQ…Happy Aloha Friday peeps!

@rusnivek

Monday morning with FEMA HQ staff

Posted on October 21, 2019 by rusnivek

Solid Monday morning here at FEMA HQ.

Catching up to a few friends in External Affairs because preparedness doesn’t stop! I knew Jana starting back in the day as we were (and still are) huge advocates for the Ready.Gov Program.

For more details behind the FEMA Ready.Gov program, check out www.ready.gov

And since we are talking about External Affairs, I got a chance to take a deep dive with FEMA External Affairs Director Jessica Nalepa.

Lots of discussion on the complexities of External Affairs and how our actions are so critical in a disaster and of course the public perception. Also lots of discussion on dedication to career and service.

Looking forward to having more discussion with her on how to improve our response and elevate External Affairs for FEMA and the nation.

Suit up because I’m reporting live from Washington DC….

@rusnivek

Sunday switching cards and revisiting history

Posted on October 20, 2019 by rusnivek

Sunday change as I go from my ventra card to my SmarTrip card.

Hello Washington DC!

I guess I could just read it on the online, but it’s kinda nice to read it with Abe.

Four score and seven years ago, our forefathers…

Reporting live from Washington DC…

@rusnivek

FEMA launches Prepare with Pedro at the 2018 Youth Preparedness Council

Posted on July 18, 2018 by rusnivek

FEMA Region V Administrator James Joseph was in Washington DC today for the Youth Preparedness Council at Red Cross HQ.

Great to see Ready.Gov partnering with everyone on today’s events.

Additionally, download the free Prepare with Pedro workbook for kids here.

@rusnivek

Kicking off 2018 #Hurricane season this Wednesday with DHS Secretary Nielsen and FEMA Administrator Long

Posted on May 29, 2018 by rusnivek

Kicking off 2018 #Hurricane season this Wednesday with Department of Homeland Security (@DHSgov) Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and Federal Emergency Management Agency (@FEMA) Administrator Brock Long (@FEMA_Brock).

@rusnivek

FL National Guard supporting recovery mission in Florida Keys #TAG

Posted on October 5, 2017 by rusnivek

Got a chance to work with the Florida National Guard today. Their tasks set by Florida Governor Scott was clear to support Floridians in disaster recovery. FEMA’s role has always been to support and coordinate actions of resources in disaster response and recovery.

Here’s FEMA LNO John Allen greeted Brig General Canzoneri at the Key West International Airport.

Military partnerships are critical in a successful mission…esp this one. Hurricane Irma was devastating for almost all commmunities in the Florida Keys. Glad to provide Federal support to this team.

We were able to see the Florida National Guard working hard to cleanup one of the residential houses from a disaster survivor. We witnessed first hand those dedicated soldiers were giving to so many communities throughout the Florida Keys.

Hole in the roof? Roof ops? No problem. The National Guard has you covered.

A quick talk from the TAG to the troops and thanking them for their efforts…

…as well as a few words of wisdom from other leadership attending today’s events.

…but the work continued on for the entire team.

A handshake from leadership goes a long way.

Proud of their efforts in so many communities in Florida. Each one of them giving their time away from home, away from family…just so they can help rebuild another family.

This is what any American would do when someone needs help.

Believe me when I say, I am so glad to be a small part of this team and to tell this story. Great people helping out great people. Straight up, this is America.

This is what we train for. This is why we prepare. This is what we do

@rusnivek

Meetings at FEMA HQ and prep for Hurricane Harvey

Posted on August 24, 2017 by rusnivek

Fun time this morning at FEMA HQ.

Quick meeting with my manager and a quick hello to our other External Affairs pros on the 8th floor.

Additionally, lots of planning ongoing for the preparedness/response for Hurricane Harvey. And lots of senior administration here today to update ongoing issues as well as brief leadership on various branches of government.

Photo Credit: FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Despite the ongoing flurry of activity, I was still able to grab a few smiles from my External Affairs peeps.

@rusnivek and @EmergencyPrepGal

We are going to need everyone to listen to trusted sources of local, state, national information on safety measures being implemented throughout affected areas.

Please heed the warnings of your local public safety professionals.

If told to evacuate, immediately do so.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Most of all, grab your preparedness kit and keep family/friends close as Hurricane Harvey makes landfall.

Be safe peeps.

@rusnivek

OOO for some Mission Readiness stuff

Posted on March 19, 2017 by rusnivek

I’ll be out of the office this week. .

DHS/FEMA Mission Readiness deployment all week with my DC peeps from HQ.

Alohas from Alabama!

@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).