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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Know your current weather by using one of these #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 10, 2014 by rusnivek

Midway through the second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

It’s Wicked Wednesdays because bad weather is coming!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#10: Know the your current weather outlook by using a NOAA NWS Weather Radio #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Don’t forget to program your weather radio too! Because weather affects everyone, plan and anticipate adverse weather by having your weather radio ready!

(And if you happen to be in the Cleveland area = 162.550mHz SAME#039035)

What is a NOAA NWS Weather radio?

My weather radio? Midland WR-300 with a Midland 18-STR visual strobe alert.

Why am I talking about weather radios?

Be safe…because this is about to hit us here in NE Ohio.

Woof!

@rusnivek

Planning alternate travel routes to avoid adverse weather #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rusnivek

Mowing this week down as we are almost to the middle of the second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Terriffic Tuesdays are here!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#9: When planning alternate routes for work or evacuation, factor in adverse weather conditions #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

By carefully planning your routes, you can prepare you and your family for adverse weather before it rolls in. Additionally, the use of your NOAA NWS Weather Radio to avoid bad weather will help you safely navigate to your destination in a timely fashion. Consider printing out maps w/ clearly defined routes for everyone in your family.

You do NOT want to mess with Mother Nature – so plan your routes accordingly and drive them often so you aren’t surprised by major/minor construction. Make sure you and your family are safe!

“Planning is everything.” – US President Dwight D Eisenhower.

@rusnivek

Various free classes on disaster preparedness #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 8, 2014 by rusnivek

Solid Monday here as we lead into the second week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

No Mundays here!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#8: Do not be afraid to attend ongoing free training classes on preparedness
#NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Your local, state, and Federal Emergency Managers are always providing free classes on preparedness and what to do during/after a disaster.

In a few of these courses, your local emergency officials help review your plans for specific items needed after a disaster. As an example, if you live in Ohio, you’d want to have warm blankets, mittens, etc….for your vehicle preparedness kit – esp during the cold winter right? Plan for your specific needs!

So taking classes…totally important right?!?

In fact, I’m sitting in a class today in FEMA Region-III (Maryland).

(Shhhhh! I’m trying to pay attention)

Life long learning peeps!

@rusnivek

Pets have specific needs during a disaster…so plan now #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 7, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s a beautiful Sunday as we start the second week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

#SundayFunday right?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#7: I have 3 days of food/water including meds & toys in my dog’s ready-go kit. #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

My immediate family includes my dog too…so I want to make sure she is prepared and can carry her own stuff.

Included in her pet preparedness kit includes a 3×5 notecard with

her name
her basic information (breed, name, phone, medications)
owner information (our names, address, phone, emails, twitter handles)
her vet name and contact information
vaccination records
her backup dog tags
and a 24-hour emergency vet clinic with emergency surgery capability

You can create your own pet preparedness list by using the information found here.

Good girl Kacy!

This year, make sure you include all your pets in your preparedness efforts because they have specific needs in a disaster.

@rusnivek

Flashlights keeps your family together after a disaster #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 6, 2014 by rusnivek

Rainy/gloomy Saturday, and I’m closing out the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Saturday Stuff right?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#6: Have at least two (2) flashlights w/ batteries to help navigate in the dark & keep your family together #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Pictured above is just one of the three flashlights that I keep in my everyday bag.

Reconnecting with my family after a disaster means that I have preparedness items for them too. It would be worth noting that each flashlight uses the same type of batteries and all operate/function the same (rear push button and twist-on action). This brand and similar power source compatibility allows everyone to have the same gear.

2 is 1 and one is none right? Well, I guess in this case, it’s 3 is 1 and one is none.

For those inquiring on my equipment specifics, I have a Surefire M2 Centurion, a Surefire A2 Aviator, and a Surefire G2 Nitrolon.

Also, a simple red tape marking allows us to easily identify what equipment is ours.

At night, a great flashlight allow you to quickly identify your family members amongst the sea of cheap weaker flashlights in the neighborhood. Trust me, at night, you want the best most powerful flashlights around.

So have flashlights and batteries ready for all members of your family.

Keeping tools ready for your family is another important parts of keeping your family together during and after a disaster.

@rusnivek

Your emergency USB drive #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 5, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s the first Friday, the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Easy right? My goal is to provide actionable information so that you can better prepare you and your family.

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#5: Use a small USB drive includes all key emergency documents & family communications plan #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

These ubiquitous USB drives (aka thumb drives, jump drives, memory sticks, etc…) are so easy to find. Best part? These things are cheap! You can easily find 16G for $2…which is WAY more storage that you’d ever need to store your documents in an emergency.

What to keep stored on this jump drive? Scanned or digital copies of your:

Family Communication Plan (that also includes an out-of-state contact)
Driver’s License/State Identification card
Passport
Social security card
Birth Certificates
Home Insurance card
Auto Insurance card
Credit card(s)
Copies of a recent bank statements
High resolution pictures of your family and individual pictures.

As you pack your one ounce USB drive, don’t forget to put it in an airtight freezer ziplock type bag. Your electronic equipment does not like getting wet.

The cost of these USB drives are so low, that it behooves you to use easy technology now to better leverage your position in a disaster. Because you won’t have time to copy/transfer these documents during a rapid evacuation, now is the time to be prepared.

Keeping good documentation for your family is one of the most important parts of reconnecting with family during and after a disaster.

@rusnivek

Multi-purpose binder clips help a lot #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 4, 2014 by rusnivek

Rounding the corner through the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Of course you need to be prepared right?!?!? My goal is to provide actionable information so that you can better prepare you and your family.

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#4: Multi-purpose binder clips help keep wires organized for easy visual access to connection points #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

These office binder clips allow me to keep things organized, clean, stowed neatly, and tied down as I travel around. Additionally, I am able to pair the ends of the cables together so I can immediately see the end attachment points.

(And who doesn’t love binder clips right?)

I have assessed my entire family’s cell phones and mobile devices and found that this lightning cable is needed by everyone. We are an iPhone 5 & 5s family.

Not pictured above, are my micro USB cables which charge other mobile devices. Everyone should plan on supporting power needs for the family’s mobile devices (tablets) and accessories (keyboards).

Assessing the entire family’s cell phone power needs before a disaster can ensure that your family will remain connected through and after a disaster.

Family first peeps!

@rusnivek

Cell phone WITH cables and external power supply #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 3, 2014 by rusnivek

Half way through the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Lots to do…just be prepared!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#3: Have extra cables w/ multi-option external power supply for charging your cell phone. #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Because we use/push more information and data, our power consumption has skyrocketed. I find that having extra cables in various lengths will make life easier when charging your phone. Keeping your family informed before/during/after a disaster is so important – so keep your mobile devices charged!

Additionally, my extra battery pack has gets used almost daily. Busy lifestyles call for travel or remote working options so choose one that has a USB connection(s) so you can charge your various mobile devices.

Because you never want to be *that guy* or *that girl* who hides in the corner next to a smelly garbage can to use the lonely random plug because of this…

@rusnivek

Use ALL your tools to communicate during a disaster #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 2, 2014 by rusnivek

Hello from the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Just a reminder, throughout this month, I’ll be pushing preparedness stuff…for free! No fuss – no muss!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#2: Have at least two (2) ways to communicate with your family before & during & after an emergency. Cell phone, text msg, Tweets, Email, Post, Pin, Snaps…use it all!

Yep, I’ll be revisiting my family’s communications plan tonight. Will you?

@rusnivek

Welcome to 2014 National Preparedness Month #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 1, 2014 by rusnivek

Welcome to 2014 National Preparedness Month.

Throughout this month, I’ll be pushing preparedness stuff…for free!

Best news on Monday huh?

#1: Allow ample room for all emergency services to do their job

@rusnivek