Tag Archives: Emergency

New technologies for NHC #NatlPrep #Hurricane

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10 years ago, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf states.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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No one wants to be unprepared.

@rusnivek

Double checking my weather radio for #NatlPrep #Hurricane

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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.

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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.

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Third week in. Are you Ready?

@rusnivek

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

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

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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.

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Shakas because we are reporting live from Kentucky…

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the 2015 Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management conference for the Disaster Recovery course

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Second and final day of Disaster Recovery here at the Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management Conference. As the lead instructor, it’s game time peeps!

I started the class out with some FEMA videos on the #Katrina10 recovery operation ongoing for Louisiana. They encompassed topics like whole community, public-private partnership, Faith-based organizations, and of course Fire/EMS public safety from SBPFD.


I then started laying the groundwork in the class for the end of day capstone recovery exercise.


But before lunch, I was requested to instruct in the adjacent room and teach the live video section of the KY Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) Course for Mike and Buddy. Addressing platforms and uses for situational awareness/common operating picture.


Nice to see some new PIOs in front of a camera. They did fairly well.

After lunch, we did some work with forms and cost recovery with Judge Bertram.


Overall, everyone had a great time learning and collaborating ideas for future Post Disaster Recovery plans. I’m looking forward to seeing Kentucky’s success in their enhanced recovery process now.

Special thanks to the Kentucky Emergency Management Office, KESC, and Ohio EMA for the invite and allowance to speak to all 38 Emergency Management Directors, 2 EM coordinators, 1 EM planner, 1 USAR, 1 lawyer, and 1 county executive. I’m also so glad to have the largest class at the conference too.

In anticipation for AlohaFridays, they broke out their best Aloha on a Thursday afternoon…Just. For. Me.

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My new peeps! Reporting live from Kentucky…

@rusnivek

This DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) makes large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

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Specialty aircraft like this DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) make large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

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I got a chance to see this aircraft up close when I was at McClellan airport.

It’s amazing how air professionals can take older resources and make them into something that can help so many.

Making sure we expend all resources and their effectiveness is key for any emergency or disaster response.

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

CKYhdyqUMAQdNj1

@rusnivek

Packed September for 3 different regions with #NatlPrep

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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.

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

And remember: Make your emergency plan today.

CKYhdyqUMAQdNj1

@rusnivek

Friday talks with Ohio EMA leadership

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It was great to spend some time with Ohio EMA leadership yesterday.

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Discussion on community resilience, task force deployments, Presidential Declarations, key initiatives, outreach, training, EMAC deployments, stakeholder engagement, public information officer, Emergency Management visibility, social media, Public Assistance, SBA loans, documentation and reimbursements, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Public and Private partnerships…heck-we even touched on the buzz words for 2015: Climate change and Cyber.

For sure, lots of notes!

It is so great to hear OEMA Executive Director Sima Merick passionate about all facets of Emergency Management.

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Also got a chance to hang with my Ohio EMA Training and Education peeps Lisa and Susan too. Solid discussion about the upcoming Mass Fatalities course (G-386), PIO Courses (G-290), JIC/JIS Courses (G-291), Intermediate Incident Command courses (ICS-300), and the Recovery from Disasters Course (G-270.4).

Lots of good free stuff upcoming from Ohio EMA!

BTW-If you did a double take on that first picture, yes sir Sur, #AlohaFridays are made for an Aloha shirt. Period. Also a historical note, Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959.

Don’t worry peeps, look closely as I had my Ohio pin on.

Have a great weekend!

@rusnivek

Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

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Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

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It was outstanding to see one of my all-time favorite ER Docs today in the Emergency Department – ladies and gents, I give you the prestigious Dr. Larry Glaude!

Many of you know that in public safety, friendships are forged that last a lifetime…and Dr. Glaude is a great example. So many great memories and of course epic stories to tell!

@rusnivek

 

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

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

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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.

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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!

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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

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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