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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Welcoming party to EMI

Posted on May 22, 2016 by rusnivek

Maybe this should be the welcoming party for everyone attending the 2016 DHS / FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium.

It’s going to be a great class!

Hope to see you in my class.

@rusnivek

Presenting at the DHS FEMA 2016 National Training & Exercise Symposium

Posted on May 21, 2016 by rusnivek

Heading out to teach at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) this week at the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium.

I am sure other Emergency Managers can attest, EMI is one of the best places to learn and build relationships with other professionals from across the country.

And yes, it is one of my most favorite places to teach.

Just like last year, I’m stoked to be invited to present again and I’m hoping to see a few friends too.

WhereIsRusnivek? Find_Doc? Hmmmmmm

So if you are headed to the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium this week, let me know.

@rusnivek

My new social media friends in Michigan #NDPTC

Posted on May 11, 2016 by rusnivek

Lots of new social media friends in Michigan.

Many mahalos to the outstanding hosts from the Michigan State University Police Department and the use of their Emergency Operations Center for our #NDPTC class.

Our class included a social media inject from FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

Lots of discussion on data mining, geolocation, and information gathering including a little real-time people uses and their platforms. How was your coffee Valerie?

The power of social media.

After class was over, many of the participants (Cooper and Valerie) said to check out the famous MSU Dairy Store.

Dark, quiet, sadly, no one was home. Promised ice cream but I got nothing. #boo

Maybe next time I instruct in Lansing.

@rusnivek

April 2016 was solid, but it’s gonna be May

Posted on May 1, 2016 by rusnivek

April 2016 was solid, but it’s gonna be May…..

Instructors Kevin Sur and Justin Timberlake. Heh.

First week, I will be instructing FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy Program at EMI specifically on Crisis Communications, Public Information Officer, and Social Media. Then heading back to Ohio to teach a basic Public Information Officer’s Course and Joint Information Center/System course (G-290/291) in Summit County. R3 and R5 = Twofer in just the first week!

Second week, I will head back north to Michigan to teach social media at Michigan State University. Then the last half of the week spent in Chicago for meetings with various public safety officials including Chicago Fire.

Third week, we have a State of Ohio Emergency Management Instructors’ Workshop at Ohio EMA in Columbus. Good chance to chat and share successes with our staff – who are all good stewards of Emergency Management. Cbus baby!

Fourth week, I will be instructing in the big DHS/FEMA 2016 National Training and Exercise Symposium at EMI. Whohoo!!! Hoping to catch up to Brian Kamoie and Doc Lumpkins again. Then jetting off to Nebraska to teach Social Media and Crisis Communications in the statewide CPESymposia. R3 and R7 in the hizzouse!

fema_regional_map

Yep, it’s a 3-5-7 kinda month – A big month indeed.

@rusnivek

Providing oversight on today’s US DHS and PS Canada International Exercise #Cause4 #CauseIV

Posted on April 27, 2016 by rusnivek

I was requested to support the Department of Homeland Security’s 2016 Science and Technology Cause-4 International Exercise between the United States and Canada today.

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Public Safety Canada. Yep-international baby!!!!!

But crossing borders is more difficult than you think – esp when dealing with patient privacy, tactical operations, and coordinating efforts amongst ultra type-A personalities.

This is why training and exercising is so crucial to agencies who want to make a different in their communities they serve. This is also why Emergency Management is ideally a solid coordinating entity for this type of response.

In this particular international exercise, emergency response agencies are testing EMS response, transport information, sharing actionable data, social media, and a whole lots others stuff.

I’m just glad to be a small part of the work by so many people and agencies.

I am convinced that through joint exercises, we can build stronger core agencies and be better responsive to emerging threats and hazards.

“It is imperative that we enhance our all-hazards public safety partnerships.” – Kevin Sur.

@rusnivek

Only three in April right?

Posted on April 7, 2016 by rusnivek

April has arrived like a wrecking ball, so sorry about the 7-day delay in posting my April schedule.

First week, I’ll be getting back from instructing in Colorado (Region-8). Also, I’m launching my own clothing line. Heh.

Second week, I’ll be teaching social media in Cincinnati at the Regional Operations Center aka TheROC (Region-5).

Third week, I’ll be in Nebraska presenting on social media and crisis communications (Region-7).

Fourth week, I’ll be in Michigan supporting the US Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety Canada with a bunch of seminars, a few EOC workshops, and then culminating with a TableTop Exercise (TTE). Bring your best ICS forms because we are repping the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) action in the hizzouse! (Region-5).

Fifth week is still not exactly defined. Likely, I will be in a “ready status” #mylife amiright?

Also, I am hoping that April gets warmer too.

fema_regional_map

@rusnivek

2016 South Carolina Business Disaster Recovery Symposium – final thoughts and thanks

Posted on February 6, 2016 by rusnivek

Last week, I had the chance to present in front of the leaders of South Carolina in Myrtle Beach at the 2016 South Carolina Business Disaster Recovery Symposium.

It was a packed house! (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

It is outstanding to see everyone, especially private industry building partnerships with governmental agencies. I talked a ton about the use of social media and communications.

Just me, standing on chairs dancing away.

Of course all the news media was there too…

WMBF News (NBC Affiliate)

PIO interview skills in 3…2…1…

“We must work in tandem with our partners in public safety…” (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

And the reporter?

Trust me, the WPDE (ABC affiliate) News reporter Liz Cooper was hilarious. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

At this Symposium, not only were they talking about preparedness…

Gahhhh, I love preparedness! My favorite month is……. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

…we talked a ton about response and RECOVERY!

Because it isn’t as sexy, the recovery phase in Emergency Management does not have the same visibility when compared to the Preparedness phase or the Response phase. So this symposium is a perfect opportunity to showcase some messaging and how communications needs to be an integral part of any government or private business during recovery.