The time has come to welcome all of our graduates of the FEMA Basic Academy here at DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management!
“This is the first FEMA Basic Academy offered here in Illinois and we are proud to bring this Emergency Management foundation education here to DuPage County.” said Academy Instructor Kevin Sur. “The skills learned during this intensive course from November through March builds the framework for all Emergency Managers combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts, and practices of leading actions for future leaders.”
The course started in November 2019 where participants were exposed to all mission areas including a myriad of case studies that highlighted the importance of collaboration and coordination in the response and recovery phase of any disaster or emergency.
In January 2020, participants took a deep dive into the science of disasters as well as planning to better help and understand the threats and dangers to each of their own communities.
To understand our hazards, we must understand legit science so that we can use the right resources to solve the problem.
The last week in March 2020, the class focused on the hot button topic of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program and the Public Information and Warning course. Special thanks to new FEMA MEPP DuPage County OHSEM Sup Corey Mulryan for teaching with me on this one.
Participants debated the use of mass notification systems, social media in targeting specific audiences, and the value of the Public Information Officer (PIO) who’s role is so vital to the success of the agency.
Proud to be a part of the Instructional delivery team to get this first class here at DuPage County OHSEM.
Who’s who in the zoo? Well, we had participants from 6 different states, 3 different FEMA Regions with a diverse crowd from local, county, state, and Federal partners.
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
As we rolled into the graduation, I was able to make some opening remarks and thanking our most esteemed guests in the room.
Glad to hear from the new FEMA Region V Deputy Regional Administrator Kevin Sligh.
Deputy RA Sligh is a graduate of the program and is proud to see this foundational course being used as the marker of success for local Emergency Managers.
We also got a chance to hear from FEMA Region 5 Training & Exercise Manager Jessica Mitchell on the value of training. She is a proud resident of DuPage County.
And finally, to close things out, ladies and gents….put your hands together for Former IEMA Director and former Director of DuPage OHSEM….FEMA Region V Regional Administrator James Joseph!!!!
2020 FEMA Advanced PIO class. Photo cred: TheGabeLugo
Is that the State of Columbia Public Information Officer making a solid appearance at the 2020 January FEMA EMI Advanced PIO class?!?
OMG~!!! I’m #famous
“I’d like to thank the support of the State of Columbia Governor Düsseldorf (aka Maryland EMA PIO Ed McDonough) for his unwavering support through these years as the State of Columbia PIO…”
Special thanks to Super CCN Reporter Mr. LukeSkyWatcher on his outstanding stories on this evolving incident here in Central City and Emerald City in the State of Columbia.
Photo cred: Niki Bender (@NikiBender)
“We vow to work the recovery for our cities, who are the true beating heart of our State of Columbia. We will dedicate resources to strengthen and rebuild affected areas. Together, we will continue to build a prepared and resilient nation.”
My thoughts today is with my FEMA PIO colleagues in Emmitsburg, Maryland – honoring the life of my friend Phil Politano.
2018 FEMA Master Public Information Officer (MPIO) Cohort-1
If you had any part in DHS/FEMA Public Information Officer Program anywhere in the country, you received Phil’s knowledge of External Affairs. That’s right, if you’ve attended courses like
G0289: PIO Awareness course
G0290: FEMA Basic PIO course
G0291: JIC/JIS course
E0388: Advanced PIO course
E0389: Master PIO Course
…you’ve been impacted by Phil’s noggin and course design.
Now previously, I’ve already talked about Phil’s knowledge and his legacy here. But it is worth noting that he was the one that handed me my FEMA Master PIO certificate.
I wish I was assigned there this week Phil.
Outstanding life Phil. No doubt, we will continue to carry your legacy on.
Day-1 of the FEMA OEMA Basic Public Information Officer course here at Lake County EMA!
With a welcome from Joe and the gang here in Lake County.
For those wondering, how close are we to the nuclear EPZ?
Yeah, real close.
So let’s hit this PIO stuff!
Like all PIO classes, we hit the basics of being a PIO as well as what one can do with a few others tips as the emergency situation gets more complex.
And since we love the real-time training, we pull all participants into the mock interviews.
Awwww yeah, no hiding in our class.
Outstanding first day with all participants from across the state from various public safety agencies including Fire, EMS, Police, Emergency Management, Amateur radio, and other government services.
Earlier this week on Thursday, I was informed of the passing of Phil Politano.
😢
Just like the PIO world, the news came with an embargo as I was told to hold on the distro of Phil’s passing until more details were released.
I was not ready to hear this.
Then FEMA EMI pushed the info out.
😞 😔 😢 I’ve known Phil for years. 😢
I cherish all my conversations with Phil, bending his ear on ideas, strategies, and how we can better serve our communities as leaders and still be innovative by stretching and setting the bar higher for others to achieve more.
Phil pushed me to do more.
I openly share info and talk about my duties as a PIO.
Again, Phil pushed me to do more.
I told my story about PIOs and how critical they are to the success of our mission in Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
Phil said you can empower more.
I increased my exposure and worked/traveled/trained more public safety PIOs across the country.
Phil smiled and said in his loud booming voice, “Well done man!”
Over the years, I have literally trained thousands of pros. There is no doubt in my mind, each one of them knows the importance of getting the right message, to the right, people, at the right time.
Phil’s oversight to my official FEMA PIO duties and actions helped make me a better PIO. He was always watching me.
Phil was always watching what I was doing.
Speaking of watching, I knew Phil was always watching me, this turned into a little game called the SURprise. Here’s one time I SURprised Phil at a secure USCG Base in California.
That was a good one.
Another time, I caught him delivering an exercise inject, eating a salad in the sim cell during a functional exercise.
A salad and Sur…who could ask for anything more!?!?!
<Sigh>
In 2018, Phil handed me my FEMA Master PIO certificate.
<sigh>
I was hoping to catch up to him at the end of the month at EMI. However, it seems that God needed a PIO and Phil got the ultimate deployment resource request.
Gonna miss his booming voice….
Gonna miss that side eye…
Gonna miss that PIO guidance…
I’ll just settle for that award winning PIO smile.
Pretty excited to hear about the changes to ICS 300 and ICS 400 tomorrow. I know FEMA EMI has been working hard on these fundamental changes with the ICS structure and command and control.
The last update was really October 2013 so we are totes due for a refresh.
Yeah 2013-2019. Six years isn’t the typical cycle.
This refresh is going to be special as they embody the changes that DHS/FEMA Director of National Integration Doc Lumpkins has set forth in his NIMS refresh.
Proud to carry his work on throughout so many communities across this great country.
In reviewing my comments from yesterday’s class, I am reminded how much our impact and influence we have as instructors.
This is the reason why we as instructors, educators, and leaders share our experiences.
Without a doubt, there are clear differences between people who read the slides vs instructors who are passionate about improving our field.
It is imperative that we continue to push the envelope as we train and exercise our nation’s public safety professionals. During an emergency or disaster, there is no second chance. The community’s safety is of the utmost importance.
Our dedication to our public safety constituents is neverending and we must strive to be ready for any situation.
Where is @rusnivek? 