Tag Archives: engagement

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

Another brand new social media engagement presentation at FSU

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Also had a chance to be one of the first instructors to deliver the new social media engagement presentation for FEMA/NDPTC.


Florida State University uses social media heavily to engage and inform their entire student body, faculty, as well as alumni of events ongoing on campus at Tallahassee.


FSU have a great social media presence. Consider following them @KeepFSUSafe @FSUAlerts @FloridaState #LifeAtFSU


Not only on a computer but from various mobile platforms and public warning systems too! Well done FSU!

A very special thanks to my awesome co-instructor Jennifer aka call sign: “other”.


Such a great adventure! Very proud of the work I’ve been assigned.

Reporting live from FEMA Region-4!

@rusnivek

Great quote by US AG Holder last night

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Great quote from US Attorney General Eric Holder last night as he was interrupted by protestors in a church in Atlanta.

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Photo credit: CNN

“There will be a tendency on the part of some to condemn what we just saw, but we should not,” Holder said. “What we saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. And it is through that level of involvement, that level of concern and I hope a level of perseverance and commitment, that change ultimately will come.

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Photo credit: CNN

Perhaps retool it a bit so every PIO has this canned message ready to go:

“There will be some that will frown upon what we just saw, but we should not. In fact, what we really saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. Because, this is America…and that is what we do. We are a nation of change led  by engagement. By the people, for the people.”

I even included a little bit of the Gettysburg Address in there. #Merica

*cut*     *paste*     *print*    *ready*

You are welcome.

@rusnivek

Your image on social by monitoring your name Safety-PIO-SM-14-007

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14-007: Your image on social by monitoring your name
Agency: Lakewood Fire Topic(s):         Monitoring your name/branding
Date: Fall 2014 Platform:        Twitter

Monitoring your namesake has been debated for years. But with decreased staffing and less time to do more with less, many agencies are bypassing this critical piece of community relations and image/branding. A good example is when a citizen commented on Lakewood Fire’s SUV parking.

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Everyone has a camera these days. We use them not only to capture memories and precious moments, but also for documentation and shaming. I believe Todd was going for the public safety shaming factor here. I am unsure on the previous relationship between Todd and Lakewood, but there was never a response on Twitter back to Todd. Truth be told, these days, unanswered public questions are sometimes perceived as a government agency cover-ups/issues. Similar to the “No comment” – a non-response might even be worse.

How do you monitor your agency’s name or any derivatives? Try these free services: Google Alerts, search columns in TweetDeck or Hootsuite, or frequent basic vanity searches on any search engine or social media platforms.

While Todd’s use of hashtags is fairly standard social media malarkey, a swift response with a timely and direct reply to Todd’s tweet would help stop the perception that LFD is breaking the law or even setting a bad example. Remember, social media is about digital interaction.

The response could also be a teaching point so share with your audience some insight into your normal operations with a simple message on Fire Prevention activities – like hydrant testing. And using the hashtag #FirePrevention pulls up thousands of tweets about educating the public specifically in fire safety.

An effective @reply response to Todd’s tweet could have read:

@stwrs1974 During an emergency, it’s tough to find safe parking. FYI-we also check/flush hydrants twice a year too #FirePrevention 

By phrasing it this way:

  1. You immediately address the issue directly with the citizen citing the issue.
  2. You provide insight into scene safety during an emergency.
  3. You call attention to your normal operations (in this case-hydrant flushing).
  4. You use the hashtag #FirePrevention to call attention to…well…Fire Prevention.
  5. You show the general public you care about your image and want to get the story right.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:

YourImageOnSocialByMonitoringYourName-Safety-PIO-SM-14-007

 

Police monitor social media posts to protect holiday crowds

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How about them apples!

If you aren’t monitoring social media…

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/25944761/police-monitor-social-media-posts-to-protect-holiday-crowds

Now do you believe me?

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@rusnivek

Question for the White House Office of Public Engagement #PrepareAthon

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See, it was a good question!

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Paulette Aniskoff (@PAniskoff44), Director of the Office of Public Engagement, The White House.

Well, it’s not often I get to correspond with my White House peeps.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nMXu2GriQ0

@rusnivek

Participating in FEMA’s #PrepareAthon Google Hangout #Prepared2014

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Participating in the White House Google Hangout now.

Glad to see engagement from numerous agencies especially Craig Fugate (@CraigAtFEMA) and Paulette Aniskoff (@PAniskoff44).

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…and Paulette Aniskoff just asked my question.

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And Craig responded.

Holy. Balls.

@rusnivek

 

 

Teaching at Ohio EMA and a bonus #selfie with Executive Director Nancy Dragani in the EOC

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Hold the phone…..OMG!

Best #selfie ever w/ @Ohio_EMA Executive Director Nancy Dragani.

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Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) constantly embraces new technologies like social media to spread preparedness efforts and update timely information for everyone. Social media is just one piece of the puzzle that OEMA uses to extend and promote their outreach efforts with various public safety partners and enhance engagement from various constituents and stakeholders in every community.

Peeps in the EOC, check out the power of social media: "Say Aloooooooooha!"

Hey peeps in the EOC, check out the power of social media: “Say Aloooooooooha!”

Getting all the safety messages in a timely manner is the hallmark for success during any emergency or disaster.

Special thanks to my friends at OEMA and Executive Director Nancy Dragani!

@rusnivek