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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Thank all of your EMS Professionals this week #EMSWeek 2014 #EMS #EMSWeek2014

Posted on May 19, 2014 by rusnivek

Celebrate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week on May 18^th – 24^th 2014. Numerous communities across the nation, as well as several national events are planned around this year’s theme “EMS: Dedicated for Life.”

EMS-Week-Header

Thank all of your Emergency Medical Services Professionals this week. During any crisis or disaster or everyday emergency, these men and women bring emergency care to anyone in need.

Just in 2014 alone, we’ve had numerous school shootings, tornados hit several southern states, a landslide in Washington, wildfires in California, and flooding in Florida. EMS professionals work tirelessly day-in/day-out to assist and support others who are sick or injured. At every call, EMS treats and transports people in their most critical times of need 24-hour a day – dedication, professionalism and commitment.

Each year EMS Week honors the contributions of EMS Professionals throughout the country and stresses the need and importance of strong public support for all our EMS Providers.

Happy National Emergency Medical Services Week!

@rusnivek

Well, at least he has his seatbelt on… #EMT #EMS #Paramedic

Posted on May 17, 2014 by rusnivek

Well, at least he has his seatbelt on…

Don’t worry, he’s got his five minutes of fame now thanks to Rihanna.

Jeez

@rusnivek

Solid group in my ICS-300 class at Washington County

Posted on May 5, 2014 by rusnivek

Had a solid day teaching ICS-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents to various public safety professionals at Washington County EMA.

Solid group hailing from several different functional groups.

I really enjoy classes that have a good mix of participants. It makes the class WAY more interesting and allows more input into exercises during class.

Remember: At 0300, I’m not pretty. At 0300, you are not pretty. Best time to get to know each other is under bright lights and calm setting…like now. Learn what is important to each agency so that you can better support their mission and goals during a disaster or emergency.

@rusnivek

Drone hampers aeromedical crew from landing at MVA

Posted on April 15, 2014 by rusnivek

Flying a drone and causing trouble during an actual call?

See, I told you that it would happen. To verify, check my documentation from my AAR on 03-06-14 (AirOps Branch-Observation/Recommendation-3 on page 16).

@rusnivek

Police: Ohio Man’s Drone Prevents Medical Helicopter from Landing at Crash Scene

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A man is facing charges after deputies say he was flying a video camera-equipped drone that hindered the landing of a medical helicopter at an accident scene.

Kele Stanley, of Springfield, said he’s been unfairly charged and would have landed it immediately if he knew the medical helicopter was en route.

“I’m not an idiot,” he said.

The hobbyist was flying the $4,000 drone over a crash scene on Saturday morning to shoot photos and video.

Authorities said both fire officials and a Clark County sheriff’s deputy told Stanley to stop flying his remote-controlled aircraft because the helicopter was preparing to land, and that he refused. The helicopter was able to land and depart safely from the scene.

Stanley is facing a felony charge of obstructing official business and misdemeanor charges of misconduct at an emergency and disorderly conduct. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Monday and said he’s going to hire a lawyer to fight the charges.

Stanley, a 31-year-old copy-machine repairman and videographer, said he flew his remote-controlled “hexacopter” about 75 feet above where a pickup had hit a tree in Moorefield Township near Springfield. He said he was shooting the video as a hobby and would have turned it over to local television stations, as he has done before.

There currently are no regulations in Ohio governing private use of the unmanned aircraft, although law enforcement agencies must get special permits to use them. The Federal Aviation Administration bars the commercial use of drones.

A fun disaster class…on accountability #NIMS

Posted on April 3, 2014 by rusnivek

To the untrained eye, they just look like toys.

To Incident Commanders, this is an incredibly valuable tool that provides operational and tactical response accountability.

To bring this all-hazards accountability course to your location, just let me know.

Yep, I’m making classes about disasters fun again!

@rusnivek

An open door response #whoops

Posted on April 1, 2014 by rusnivek

The rig is sounding awfully loud tonight…

…those apparatus mechanics really can’t get anything right!

Typical – blame everyone else first.

So, it’s probably a good time to check your doors BEFORE responding to any calls.

EMS Flight crews do it. Maybe a 360 walk around is a good idea.

*FD names removed to protect the innocent*

@rusnivek

Firefighter self-rescue / bailout course in North Charleston SC

Posted on March 30, 2014 by rusnivek

Back at it on the fireground for three days of teaching Firefighter bailout instructor class to North Charleston Fire (SC).

I’m glad to be working with these professionals for over 7 years now.

Also, it appears they got some new equipment as well….Boy oh boy did they spec this thing out well – I’m impressed!

Train like you fight was the mantra for all instructors who participated in classroom and then the hands on portion part in several training evolutions.

Looking forward to seeing them again very soon.

Also looks like we will be doing phase-2 and phase-3 training too.

Awesome.

@rusnivek

Is this flooded roadway safe? You tell me…. #TADD #Prepared2014

Posted on March 17, 2014 by rusnivek

This week is National Flood Safety Awareness Week (March 16 – 22, 2014).

To help clarify some misconceptions about water and flooding, let me make it very clear – NEVER drive through flooded roads. Here’s a great example. We were dispatched after a few reported calls of a flooded roadway. Looks innocent enough right?

Just because it’s downhill does NOT mean it is any safer…in fact, it is more dangerous.

Gravity will move/flow the water faster.
More water will cause you to lose control of your vehicle or possibly sink your vehicle and/or drown you.
More water will remain at the bottom of the hill will definitely cause damage to your vehicle.

So how can you share this safety message with others?

Continue to share the message of Turn Around, Don’t Drown = #TADD (National safety campaign phrase)
Flash flooding can occur anywhere – even within metropolitan and urban areas.
Avoid areas that are frequently flooded.
Always follow instructions from your local emergency service professionals.
Report any flooded roadways to the proper authorities.
NEVER drive through flooded roads.

It’s really bad news if we have to meet like this…

If you were wondering, that’s me on the right

Do your part in #Prepared2014 by being safe this year.

@rusnivek

2014 National Flood Safety Awareness Week #TADD #Prepared2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by rusnivek

This week is National Flood Safety Awareness Week (March 16 – 22, 2014).

Did you know that floods are the #1 natural disaster in the US? Just within the past five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.

How can you help?

Share these easy safety tips with your constituents on flood safety:

Turn Around, Don’t Drown = #TADD (National safety campaign phrase)
Flash flooding can occur anywhere. If there is a possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Always follow instructions from your local emergency service professionals.
NEVER drive through flooded roads.
Use local alerts and warning systems (like iPAWS and WEAs) which can send localized information about your immediate area.
Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause thousands of dollars in damages.
Do you know if you live in a flood zone? Find out here for free.

So check your emergency preparedness kits and make sure you are ready!

@rusnivek

Did you do it? Are you safe? #SpringForward #preparedness2014

Posted on March 9, 2014 by rusnivek

Did you do it? Are you safe? #SpringForward #preparedness2014

If you haven’t, then get on it right now!

Why should you have a working smoke detector?

A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

Keeping my favorite peeps (that’s you) safe this Spring…

@rusnivek