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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Another solid JIC JIS course on #AlohaFriday

Posted on July 7, 2017 by rusnivek

Today is DHS/FEMA’s G-291: JIC/JIS planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs!

Lots to talk about esp coordination with various all-hazards agencies.

Also glad to share a few PIO/JIC stories on 3-girls that were missing for 10+ years as well as the 2016 NBA Championships, Republican National Convention, 2016 World Series, and 2017 NBA Championships.

On top of that, our class wanted to know more about social media so I can indulge a bit. Not only on #s, geolocation, platforms, etc….but also lots on newer wearable technology too.

As always in any class we instruct, we try to make fun and exciting. And yes, thumbs up for PIOs!

Special thanks to WTFD Capt Mike Pruitt for the coordination and hospitality.. Glad to see so many new PIOs in the audience.

Happy Aloha Friday peeps!

@rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA Basic Public Information Officer Program

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA’s Basic Public Information Officer Couse started out with reviews of all crisis interviews.

Collaborating on communications tactics with various agencies allows PIOs to craft the right message – esp in a disaster.

Erica had a chance to share JIC efforts from the Republican National Convention.

And you know I shared some tactics and tips on ascertaining open source info utilizing geolocation/metadata during a National Special Security Event. I also chatted briefly about tools field PIOs should use when deployed out.

After lunch we were fortunate enough to hear from a great panel discussion: Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine, the Information Officer for central Indiana and RTV6’s Investigative reporter Paris Lewbel.

Both panelists candidly shared information with everyone attending.

Side note: Sgt John Perrine is the brains behind the truly viral PSA hit on vehicles turn signals. Check it out here.

Great to work with so many pros today.

@rusnivek

This week, we are starting another G290…

Posted on July 5, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great start to a solid G-290: Basic PIO Course with WTFD.

Greetings and welcome to everyone in Region-5 by Capt Mike Pruitt.

Started out the morning with building a base of core PIO principals including reviewing writing that targets a specific target audience.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Ahem. Press releases are almost dead.

Erica talked about how critical Incident Communications Analysis plays a big part in how our audience uses/digests information.

We started all the on-camera interviews after lunch. Lots of great interviews…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…and solid techniques showcased in the field interview exercises…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…many of the participants are already functioning as PIOs within their own communities.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Group work in the afternoon…

…with more discussion and reporting out of critical facts while writing talking points.

We are so fortunate to have such a diverse class of participants willing to share information.

Reporting live from the most funnest PIO class ever…

@rusnivek

Day-4 of the DHS/FEMA AH NIMS ICS IMT IC Course at OEMA

Posted on June 22, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-4 of the DHS/FEMA All Hazards NIMS ICS IMT Incident Commander course here at Ohio EMA.

Lots of sharing of ideas esp from our partners from the US Foresty Division.

Obviously, they deal with large incidents all the time – esp this year being an already busy wildfire year.

Additionally, talking about the entire Command and General Staff and how they interact with all other positions are key to formulating a successful team.

Just glad we have everyone contributing to the conversation.

Lots of passionate people wanting every community to work together and succeed.

@rusnivek

Best Practices for Incorporating…

Posted on April 12, 2017 by rusnivek

A few good friends sent me the new Best Practices for Incorporating Social Media into Exercises released by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology First Responders Group.

2017-April-Best-Practices-Incorporating-Social-Media-Into-Exercises-508

Click on the link above to download the entire pdf.

Lots of good reading info in there from the International CAUSE IV experiment that I contributed in Michigan and our international partners in safety – Canada Public Safety.

@rusnivek

Few PIO takeaways from yesterday’s #CLEStPats Parade Spoxing

Posted on March 18, 2017 by rusnivek

Few Public Information Officer (PIO) takeaways after yesterday’s #CLEStPats Parade.

#Spectacles are great for “hands-free” wearable technology…because its difficult to ride a bike and social media.

Duh! Hands free is great.

However, many people asked about my Spectacles which made it difficult to focus in on duty stuff.

The video activation on Spectacles was tough because I had/could only use my left hand only to start the video.

I wonder if those that have been following along on the SnapChat story, are disappointed when they see it’s only a “regular snap” vs “from Spectacles” in the top left identifier. I guess it’s the same viewer mindset as picture vs video because video appeals to more audiences with movement. Spectacles video is circular in nature, easy to expand view of scene. Here’s a quick example.

Here’s the view from a portrait style snap.

And here’s the same view bust just one of the possible views of a snap with viewer control of scene and framing.

Obv, lots more to see.

Additionally, I can see many of the viewers expecting video as they are getting the “behind the scenes” details with consistent narration. Which means – WE HAVE TO KEEP TALKING ALL THE TIME! Yikes.

As for Spectacles, you might want to consider your breathing as part of the “production” because my Spectacles picked up my breathing standing still and on the bike.

Wind blocking isn’t so great on them – so your “action” movement might be tough to record proper audio. There are no visible ports on SnapChat’s Spectales to attach an external mic.

Again, fun times yesterday with Cleveland Police and so many all-hazards partners in public safety.

If we consistently support each other, we will all succeed in our respective missions.

Be safe out there peeps!

@rusnivek

Final day of the AH #IMT #Logistics Section Chief course w/ OH-TF-01

Posted on February 10, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-5: Final day of the DHS/FEMA Ohio EMA All-Hazards Incident Management Team Logistics Section Chief course.

Again, special thanks to FEMA USAR Ohio Task Force-1 for hosting this week.

Solid morning as we talked about how the LSC frequently meets with the PSC well before much of the action happens.

In fact, it is likely that the LSC is at least 5 steps ahead of the OSC – to plan to supply and equip our tactical operations with the stuff they need.

Ohio EMA LSC Phil Johnson brief the class on how county agencies interact with our activated State EOC focusing in on resource ordering and task assignments.

Like good Logistics Section Chiefs, we debated the merits of pre-staging resources before they are needed for faster deployments and anticipating needs (leaning in).

Lots of discussion on EMAC and the success that the State of Ohio had with 2016 events including the 2016 Republican National Convention which was classified as a NSSE.

We discussed demobilization plans as well as factors that could contribute to delayed demob. As always, we emphasize on the safe return of all crews from disaster deployment.

At the end of the day, we were able to tour the DHS/FEMA USAR OH-TF-1 facility.

Amazing stuff!

Logistics plays a HUGE part of daily operations as they have thousands and thousands of pieces of deployable items needed for disaster operations.

So as you can see, LSCs have an insurmountable task of keeping order during non-disaster times.

For those in the military and are truly Logistics pees, I believe this is an amazing piece of equipment.

If you are a pro, and like to sling load your stuff, you should consider getting a few.

Special thanks to all the pros from DHS/FEMA Ohio USAR Task Force-1.

Yes it's Friday. That is an Aloha Shirt.

Yes it’s Friday. Look closely. That is an Aloha Shirt.

Superb ending of class with participants from numerous states on this #AlohaFriday!

Proud to serve my country and train other IMT LSCs from across this great nation.

@rusnivek

Kicking off another Basic PIO Course at Wayne Township Fire

Posted on January 31, 2017 by rusnivek

Breaking down more Public Information Officer stuff today at Wayne Township Fire!

PC: Mike Pruitt

Basic Public Information Officer (G-290) for my 29 newest peeps!

And yes, I already brought out the PIO stick!

PC: Ivette Olave

You know we’re going to have some great collaboration today!

Reporting live from the front of the class…

@rusnivek

Teaching in the NM DOC – Social Media Tools and Techniques

Posted on January 11, 2017 by rusnivek

Hello Wednesday! Getting a chance to teach my favorite advanced class – PER-344: Social Media Tools and Techniques at the State of New Mexico Department of Public Health.