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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Teaching Ohio EMA’s Basic Public Information Officers Course

Posted on July 15, 2015 by rusnivek

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

Welcome and intros today by OEMA NE Region Supervisor Bob Zehentbauer.

Bob Z kicking off today’s Ohio EMA Basic PIO course.

(Bob-Mahalos for the kind words)

Special thanks to Medina County Emergency Management Agency and Director Christina Fozio for hosting this great all-hazards class.

Medina County EMA Director Christine Fozio with the best hospitality in the EOC!

This class, our participants hail from various disciplines including Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Hospitals, Prison officials, Private Industry, Health Department, and Higher Education.

So many experiences to share especially with all the EOC activations we had in the past 5 years here in NE Ohio. Castro case, Ebola, Pepper Pike Tornado, Flooding, Operations Barclay, Hurricane Sandy, etc…all are great experiences that we as instructors can share our experiences with our participants.

I believe the best part about the G-290 course? The on-camera interviews for everyone.

One camera for face, one camera for body language, and a tricky “reporter” asking questions.

Many instructors shy away from this task because they don’t have the time, experience, or even the equipment. However, I believe that it is imperative we have these tools that simulate real-life situations. We as instructors should provide the most realistic examples of in-field experiences for all participants.

For those attending, we will never compromise. We will always provide the best class.

Period.

@rusnivek

Easy 4th of July safety tips #FireworksSafety

Posted on July 1, 2015 by rusnivek

Safety tips? You bet!

Here’s some basic 4th of July Fireworks safety tips:

Safety tip: Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Safety tip: Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Safety tip: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Safety tip: Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
Safety tip: Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

Thanks @Readygov #FireworksSafety

Happy safe 4th of July week/weekend everyone!

@rusnivek

Tour from TFD and now instructing at FSU #Florida

Posted on June 15, 2015 by rusnivek

Thanks to the crew from Tallahassee Fire for their quick station tour and hospitality.

Lots of equipment in a relatively small station. Also a good to hear that their AOR is growing and the chance for advancement is great at TFD.

Great to share a few stories – because no matter where you are from, the Brotherhood of Firefighters will always shine and exemplify the true meaning of family.

Now I’m starting off the morning on campus at beatiful Florida State University on the official FEMA/NDPTC class.

PIOs/PAOs – let’s get it on!

@rusnivek

June 2015 and my first visit to Region-8

Posted on June 5, 2015 by rusnivek

June will be a lighter schedule as I wind down on a few projects.

First week: I’ll be at the OEMA Basic Public Information Officers course including the JIC/JIS part. On camera interviews for everyone! (Region-5)

Second week: I am assigned to South Dakoka. My first time in FEMA Region-8 baby!

Third week: I will be in Florida (Region-4) piloting FEMA/NDPTC new social media presentation.

Fourth week: I’ll be back in Ohio and I *might* be working in an EOC or a field ICP.

Quieter month huh?

@rusnivek

National Call to Action Day! Thanks to @PrepareAthon @ReadyGov

Posted on April 30, 2015 by rusnivek

Take a few minutes to commit to being ready for disasters that may threaten your community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region V office in Chicago, Ill., is encouraging everyone to take part in America’s PrepareAthon! National Day of Action on April 30 and consider doing at least one activity to improve your resilience to potential disasters.

“Spring in the Midwest can bring a heightened risk for severe weather, so it’s even more critical for people to get ready now,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Be proactive, and engage your family, friends and neighbors in one of the many simple ways to prepare for emergencies.”

Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit your city and/or county website to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. You should also ensure your cell phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area. And always heed the weather warnings from your local National Weather Service Office (NWS).

Download the free FEMA app to get and stay prepared: Access disaster safety tips, an emergency kit list, emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters. Text ANDROID or APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA) and receive a link for download.

Follow preparedness agencies on Twitter like @FEMA @FEMARegion5 @Ohio_EMA @rusnivek @ReadyGov @PrepareAthon @CraigatFEMA for quick information and regularly posted preparedness tips.

Develop and test emergency communications plans. Visit www.Ready.gov/plan-for-your-risks for tips on how to ensure your plan is as comprehensive as possible.

Assemble or update emergency supplies. Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit for a disaster supply checklist. Don’t forget to store additional supply kits in your car and at the office too.

Collect and safeguard critical documents. Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, such as a bank safe deposit box.

These easy preparedness steps takes seconds to complete.

Be a part of the 2015 National Call to Action and be prepared for any disaster or emergency.

@rusnivek

2015 Ohio EMA Emergency Management Director’s Conference

Posted on April 16, 2015 by rusnivek

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2015 EM Director’s Conference has started in Columbus.

Looks like all 88 counties are here ready to collaborate on a multiple topics and challenges.

We also had the FEMA Region-5 Administrator Andrew Velasquez III address the audience.

Also SM luminary and friend Cheryl Bledsoe presented on VOST (Virtual Operation Support Teams).

Great to see so many old friends!

@rusnivek

Instructing at EMI for the National Training and Exercise Symposium

Posted on April 8, 2015 by rusnivek

Confirmed to instruct at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) for the National Training and Exercise Symposium in May 2015.

Hope to see you there.

@rusnivek

2015 Preparedness peeps and PIO planning

Posted on January 5, 2015 by rusnivek

For all my preparedness peeps and PIO planners out there…

Hope this makes your life tons easier.

Special thanks to the Ready.Gov team at FEMA!

@rusnivek

Starting out – NIMS and ICS online classes

Posted on October 27, 2014 by rusnivek

If you are getting started in taking a few National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS) classes, you’ve come to the right place! Best part about the classes below? They are all online, available 24/7/365, and can be done for free.

Here’s a list of recommended Incident Command System (ICS) classes according to the 2008 requirements.

1. ICS-100.b: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)

2. ICS-700.a: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

3. ICS-200.b: ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents

4. ICS-800.b: National Response Framework, An Introduction

After you complete the courses above, let me know so I can recommend the next steps in training.

BTW-You even get a certificate when you successfully complete the above class and post tests.

@rusnivek

Presenting some social media magic here in Ashtabula

Posted on August 28, 2014 by rusnivek

Did someone say “social media magic”? Heck yeah…and it’s right here in Ashtabula: the use of social media during disasters!

Making sure we cover the entire state, we hit Columbus yesterday and today, we are setup in the farthest NE corner of Ohio, Ashtabula County.

We are fortunate to have State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) PIO Tamara McBride (from Columbus) peek into the class and say hi to everyone.

Leveraging our current technologies during non-emergency times will help concrete our actions and increase our communications during disasters.

Looking forward to seeing some great progress and interaction in social media.

Additionally, it’s so nice to see old friends and colleagues from my past. Truly outstanding.

No matter wearing my flight helmet, my hospital shirt, my fire helmet, whatever….I’m just glad to see great friends again.

@rusnivek