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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Quick lists with go packs and a few checklists #NatlPrep

Posted on September 20, 2015 by rusnivek

Since we are in September aka 2015 National Preparedness month, here’s a quick rundown of all checklists, go packs, preparedness kits, and other assorted items on preparedness. Those items marked with a (*) and bold are to me the most critical ones.

Checklists for Family Preparedness Kit: checklist_2014

Family Communications plan (kids to complete) FEMA_plan_child_508_071513

*Family Communications plan (Parents to complete) FEMA_plan_parent_508_071513

*How much water do I need to prep: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/16/one-gallon-of-water-per-day-per-person-48-bottles-natlprep-prepared2014/

Distilled down, here’s the most essential parts of my preparedness kit: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/15/important-parts-of-my-emergency-preparedness-kit-natlprep-prepared2014/

MREs? Here’s what they are: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/14/3-days-of-food-per-person-for-your-emergency-preparedness-kit-natlprep-prepared2014/

*My tech disaster kit: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/20/tech-kit-how-geeky-or-nerdy-is-yours-natlprep-prepared2014/

*Have a pet? Here’s what’s in my Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/19/your-pet-needs-an-emergency-preparedness-kit-too-check-out-the-one-i-have-ready-to-go-prepared2014-natlprep-woof/

Everyone always asks, what is readily in all my disaster kits – DuckTape: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/18/this-emergency-preparedness-kit-multipurpose-item-literally-sticks-to-everything-prepared2014-natlprep-tbt/

Better IRL whistle for attention? Horn me: https://whereisrusnivek.com/2014/09/17/a-better-whistle-for-your-emergency-preparedness-kit-natlprep-prepared2014/

*Enable EAS Alerts to all your mobile devices (turn your GPS location on).

*On Twitter, follow @FEMA and your state’s Emergency Management Agency for good preparedness lists and more emergency response information.

On Facebook, follow your local National Weather Service Office for updates on current weather conditions.

Subscribe to your local Emergency Management’s informational pushes on their respective mass notification system.

*Print out a list of your immediate and extended family’s home and cell phone numbers (I nerd it out and happen to use the DHS/FEMA ICS-205 form).

*Keep your mobile devices and cell phones charged up.

Stay safe peeps!

@rusnivek

New technologies for NHC #NatlPrep #Hurricane

Posted on September 15, 2015 by rusnivek

10 years ago, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf states.

However, with the advances in technology, the National Hurricane Center has improved their prediction forecast…aka technology has improved to showcase the areas likely to be hit.

Regardless of your location, please prepare for hurricanes.

Yes, three years ago, I was told “…that will never happen here” and “Stop wasting your time.” Soon after, Hurricane Sandy hit Ohio in 2012.

Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.

No matter where you are, please prepare for hurricanes.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

No one wants to be unprepared.

@rusnivek

Double checking my weather radio for #NatlPrep #Hurricane

Posted on September 13, 2015 by rusnivek

Peeking into the third week of National Preparedness Month – this week is all about Hurricanes!

So to make sure we are all prepared, I double checked my weather radio yesterday.

I’m Ready!

If you live in Ohio, don’t forget to program your weather radio with these specific frequencies.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

Third week in. Are you Ready?

@rusnivek

Teaching the brand new DHS/FEMA Basic Public Information Officer Course

Posted on September 12, 2015 by rusnivek

Awwww yeah! This past week, I got a chance to teach part of the brand new DHS/FEMA G0290: Basic Public Information Officer Course!

Formerly known as G-290 course, this is the new FEMA Basic Public Information Officer course taught across the country for all public safety and emergency management professionals.

Thanks again to the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency and KESC for allowing me the opportunity. Also, special thanks to the ever fashionable Mike from NIOA.

Shakas because we are reporting live from Kentucky…

@rusnivek

Quick message frm @FEMA Preparedness #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Posted on September 3, 2015 by rusnivek

Still want to know more about preparedness?

Here is FEMA’s former Individual and Community Preparedness:

Gwen Camp-FEMA-video (http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/98208)

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today!

@rusnivek

Packed September for 3 different regions with #NatlPrep

Posted on August 31, 2015 by rusnivek

August was quite the month of new stuff, and in true form, September will be just as exciting.

I am sure know that September is my most favorite month right? September is National Preparedness month where I’ll be featuring a whole bunch of different preparedness plans and you can participate and better prepare you and your family for disasters or emergencies. All of it…totally free!

But for the rest of the month, here’s the plan:

First week: I’ll be presenting at the Nebraska Infrastructure Protection Conference on Social Media intelligence and disasters. On day-2 of the conference, I’ll be giving the my national keynote presentation: Task Force Deployment to St. Bernard Parish Louisiana – Lower 9th Ward. Region-7 boom!

Second week: I’ll be presenting at the State of Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management Workshop rolling out the brand new G-270.4 Recovery from Disaster course. Two days of critical recovery classes in Region-4…with me!

Third week: I’ll be in Columbus doing some Mass Fatality TtT classes with Ohio EMA and then delivering another Social Media course to Franklin County EMA. Back in Region-5.

Fourth week: We have the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s PIO Symposium (Friday September 25th, 2015) in Columbus.

And the Fifth week: I just might have some time to do some paperwork. Sigh.

This will be a tough first few weeks, but looking forward to the various regions.

And remember: Make your emergency plan today.

@rusnivek

NDPC News 2015 Summer edition

Posted on August 28, 2015 by rusnivek

Attention – It’s here!

NDPC News 2015 Summer edition is here.

@rusnivek

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

Posted on August 14, 2015 by rusnivek

I popped back-to-back-to-back social media classes last week in Sacramento, California.

Participants from all over the west coast attended. Specifically for Thursday and Friday, FEMA reviewed our new curriculum courses. Yep, straight up evaluation. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Ongoing for course design, I will make a few more additions/changes before courses are sent to the National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) for certification. Hoping for final approval in November 2015. Hope to hear the magical words “Federally published” as my course is listed in the DHS / FEMA Training catalog. Whoa Nellie!

For the classes? We had great interaction from all participants.

Solid discussions during the breakout sessions included professionals from all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) as well as experts from the National Weather Service (NWS), Critical Infrastructure, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), etc… Diverse groups make for the best discussions for sure!

As part of our continued efforts in Emergency Management, it is imperative that we address issues from the All-Hazards approach and incorporate the support of our stakeholders in solutions.

With heavy discussion, class participants had a great time engaging with others and using tools/techniques that are specific to the Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Directorates. Obviously, I showcased the importance of a good Public Information Officer (PIO) / Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and how their interaction in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) is imperative to a successful emergency or disaster.

Also, starting to build an online learning library that can be easily accessed from anywhere using the #NDPTC is always good reference. Free. My favorite F-word.

Special mahalos to fellow Instructors Cheryl and MaryJo in the delivery of these courses.

Also the solid smiles from fellow #SMEM Jennifer and Scott was crucial support on this delivery.

Glad to be working with partners like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Truly great to see everyone working collaboratively. Thanks to the Sacramento County Emergency Management for hosting these courses.

Looking forward to the next class at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conference in Clark County, Nevada. See you there!

@rusnivek

JIS – JIC planning class for Tribal State and local PIOs

Posted on July 17, 2015 by rusnivek

A fine day to teach the Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s JIS / JIC Planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs (G-291) course in Medina County!

A classic start with The Who.

One of the big points emphasized in this class is the differences between a Joint Information Center (JIC) and a Joint Information System (JIS). Both have merits in daily operations and each have strengths and weaknesses in disaster operations.

Sometimes PIOs don’t understand that a JIC or JIS activation is just like a normal activation. If you can’t figure out the differences between the two, take the class from those who have actually worked a JIC or a JIS.

On Tuesday/Wednesday in the Basic Public Information Officers’ Course (G-290), we talked about training and readiness efforts for any PIO. Go Kits were a hot button topic as everyone’s PIO kit would most likely be different. Resource manuals are great to have, but difficult to keep updated. Just maintaining a PIO contact list is a tedious task.

Much discussion about food in the kit. This was obviously NOT a good example of what you should be eating during an JIC activation.

Prob not the best lunch.

Healthy body = Healthy mind. Period.

As the day progressed, we facilitated several in-depth discussions on teamwork, joint efforts in responses as well as some pre-scripted messages that can be used by everyone. Planning now will reduce the amount of white hair during an incident.

Establish relationships now with local health departments, local and regional hospitals, local Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Teams, Special Technical Rescue Teams. Easily rely on your state staff and resources to support your actions. A great wealth of information is available to bring to the table. Just establish that connection before that awkward 0300 hit.

Additionally, tapping into local resources from other Federal Agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives(ATF), National Weather Service (NWS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs Border Patrol (CBP), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), etc…so many options to establish relationships!

“Building relationships now can only increase our response effectiveness during a disaster.” – K. Sur

Looking outside government agencies, public and private partnerships can support our safety and response initiatives – so we need to make a concerted effort to make those connections now. Build relationships before a disaster!

Sur and Mo!

So how can you bring all these resources together? Consider these actions to explore in your jurisdiction:

Train. Train. Train.
Open discussions with various providers.
Invite your all-hazards partners to meetings.
Meet regularly. Maintain contact.
Take classes together.
Share resource lists and contacts.
Support each other during operations.
Review After Action Reviews / Improvement Plans (AARs/IPs) together.

And if you were wondering, class participants did well on their post-tests.

Psssst…the answer is “C” #not

We had a great time teaching this week. Much thanks to the Medina County Emergency Management Agency and EM Director Christine Fozio for their hospitality. Super fun time.

So much ducking fun (duck face reference)

Special thanks to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for sponsoring this all-hazards class for our partners in public safety.

(L to R): PIO Instructor Kevin Sur, Medina County Emergency Management Director Christine Fozio, and PIO Instructor Monique Witherspoon.

If you are looking to attend OEMA’s free PIO courses:

Public Information Officers Awareness course (G-289)
Basic Public Information Officers’ course (G-290)
JIS / JIC Planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs course (G-291)

**coordinate through OEMA State Training Officer Susan Traylor.

As always, I’m looking forward to the JIC / JIS activation calls. I am excited for these new PIOs to put their new acquired PIO skillz in place. And yes, I said skillz with a Z.

Time is short so do good stuff!

@rusnivek

Final day of instructing Ohio EMA’s Basic Public Information Officers Course

Posted on July 16, 2015 by rusnivek

Final day of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s Basic Public Information Officer Course (G-290). Kaboom!

Before class started, we pumped a little Billy Joel through the ECC&C speakers.

We talked about what kind of information needs to be disseminated including categorizing messages by priority. Obviously, we discussed various social media platforms and a few publishing options to maximize visibility.

Basically, it still comes down to maximizing our efforts during a disaster or emergency.

Working in groups, all participants formulated action items to implement at their agencies. Incidentally, this is truly the reason why so many ICS classes exercise in groups…is to help facilitate open dialogue. Building relationships is easier in an open classroom setting.

And yes, 0300 is NOT the time to be meeting fellow public safety professionals for the first time in the EOC.

As a group, we evaluated everyone’s TV PIO interview.

Everyone shared constructive recommendations with the entire class. Everyone.

In fact, the private industry crew really enjoyed the training and wanted to work/train more closely with various public safety agencies (Hmmmm, I sense this could be the start of a public-private-partnerships-EEEK).

In the end, more group work and a secondary interview helped participants to become more comfortable in front of the camera.

Additionally, non-verbal actions including certain physical cues were shared to help PIOs take back control from an aggressive reporter and take control of the interview.

Remember, the important point to remember is….

Reporting live from FEMA Region-5, at the Medina County Emergency Coordination Center & Classroom…

@rusnivek