I’m proud of my Dad who setup his Neighborhood Watch Program.
Dad has been planning this for months now and even posted signs to get everyone involved. Because inviting and talking with the entire neighborhood about safety related topics are the key points of the Neighborhood Watch program. Also, my Dad went big – he blocked off the entire cul-de-sac for his event!
Honolulu Fire Station-30 (Engine-30 & Ladder-30) stopped by to share some safety tips and what to do during an emergency.
Ladder-30 showcased their equipment for everyone to see.
Talked about ventilation saws for trench cuts and vertical cuts for fires.
Also talked about extrication tools and generators for car accidents and confined space rescue.
All the kids in the neighborhood got a chance to try out the headsets used for communications in the apparatus.
Honolulu Police stopped by too.
Even a surprise flyby thanks to Honolulu Fire Air-1 Helicopter.
In the end, this kind of neighborhood program is truly the basis of a safer community.
Education, particularly teaching kids during an emergency, how to call 9-1-1 is crucial to a safe community.
My Dad volunteered to do this. Yep, not paid. Just doing his part to keep his neighborhood and community safe. LOVE IT!
There are many other volunteer programs showcased by DHS/FEMA’s awesome Ready.Gov campaign on safety. Just like my Dad, I volunteer too with my community’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) aka RH-CERT.
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.
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
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!
Yep, it’s a 3-5-7 kinda month – A big month indeed.
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.
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.
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?
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.
And when the Horry County Office of Emergency Management deems your presentation “on fleek” – *swoon*
Mahalos Brooke!
Many thanks to the team at the City of Myrtle Beach. Special Alohas to EM Rockstar Allison and Senior Planner Diane for the invite.
Preaching the good word about Disaster Recovery in South Carolina!
Where is @rusnivek? 