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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Your kids prepared for any emergency? Can they all be a Ready Big Hero? #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

Posted on September 24, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s midweek in the fourth week of 2014 National Preparedness Month

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Wacky Wednesday continues!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency

#24: Does your kid have it? Prepared for any emergency? Can they all be a Ready Big Hero? #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

Make sure all of your family is prepared for any emergency or disaster.

Make sure they prepare with you and run family drills because that’s real hero stuff.

Your kid can be a Ready – Big Hero too!

@rusnivek

Your pet needs an emergency preparedness kit too! Check out the one I have – ready to go #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #Woof

Posted on September 19, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s finally Friday in this third week of 2014 National Preparedness Month

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

#FridayFurDay right? Or is that #FridayFunday ?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#19: Your pet needs an emergency preparedness kit too! Check out the one I have – ready to go #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #Woof

Dry dog food (3 days worth). I have Kacy’s food parceled out into individual easy servings. This way, we don’t over feed her.

Two (2) bottles of water – which is enough for her for 3 days.

Pet identification (3×5 notecard in zip lock bag which makes this waterproof) which includes our contact cell phones and twitter handles, pet name, date of birth, current vaccinations, county dog registration, vet address, vet phone, and of course a short description of what she looks like. Also in the zip lock bag is Kacy’s pet medications (heart worm pills and flea and tick meds).

Small bowl to eat and drink.

Dog identification tags that includes her name tag, county dog identification, rabies vaccination information, our contact information, and home address.

Pet First Aid kit – I got this from a community fair thanks to the local health department. This is a necessity! It will make minor injuries easier to manage.

Extra static 6ft leash…and yes, it’s labeled w/ duct tape with her name on it.

Packable raincoat because in case it rains, we are prepared for adverse weather! Also the “wet dog smell” isn’t the most fragrant aroma.

Favorite pet toys for Kacy which includes two Nylabone chew toys and a bright orange rubber tennis ball from Target.

*******All of the above items fit nicely in a dog carry pack. *******

Incidentally, this pack/harness has a handle on the topin case I need to emergently pick her up and go. I also have a green glow stick (break activation) that attaches via carabiner to the top for easy identification during night travel/evacuation.

The pack has several zippered outside pockets so I can separate the medications/Identification from the food.

These simple and easy basic supplies make up my pet preparedness kit. Keep in mind that everyone’s pet preparedness kits should be different depending on the size and breed of the animal…but it should have the basics like food, water, and medications.

I was reminiscing about my deployment during Hurricane Katrina/Rita in 2005 – our Task Force saw SO many abandoned pets in Louisiana’s Lower 9th Ward.

In case of an emergency or disaster, PLEASE take the time to prepare/evacuate with your pets as they are part of your family.

For more information on how you can put together your pet preparedness kit, check out this free FEMA Ready.Gov link on pet preparedness.

For those wondering, Kacy is a rescue dog. Best. Dog. Ever.

Special thanks to my dog Kacy for helping out in today’s preparedness post. #woof

@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

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030

Posted on January 14, 2014 by rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030.

The chemical spill (up to 7,500 gallons) into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate. “Do not use water” order remains in effect for approximately 65,000. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol (MCHM).

West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
01-13-14 afternoon – bans lifted for 26,000 customers.
01-14-14 morning – bans lifted for additional 9,000 customers.
All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity: 234 patients treated at this time with 14 admits. No confirmed fatalities.
Elk River flows into Ohio River tributary. Cincinnati Water Works monitoring.
Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 96% delivery totals. FEMA FCO monitoring.

http://www.amwater.com/about-us/news.html

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14 at 0900

Posted on January 13, 2014 by rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14- at 0900.

The chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate.

CDC has established threshold levels. At this time, indicators are within acceptable levels at water plant. Now seeking consistent safe reading levels at various points within the 1,700 mile pipeline system. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol.

West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
All West Virginia State ESFs released but remain on standby.
All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity.
No confirmed fatalities and 169 patients treated at this time.
Logistics Section filled and delivered 100% of meals requested by West Virginia.
Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 94% delivery totals. Daily assessments of needs still ongoing.

Counties affected: Boone County, Cabell County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Putnam County, and Roane County.

People in the affected areas in West Virginia = DO NOT DRINK OR USE THE WATER. *Only use for toilet flushing

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-12-14- at 1030

Posted on January 12, 2014 by rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-12-14- at 1030.

The chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate.

CDC has established threshold levels. At this time, indicators are still higher than acceptable levels. Still seeking safe reading levels at various points within the 1,700 mile pipeline system. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol.

West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
All local area hospitals are water supplied by mobile tankers and hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity.
No confirmed fatalities or injuries to report at this time.
Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency through at least next 72 hours.

Counties affected: Boone County, Cabell County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Putnam County, and Roane County.

People in the affected areas in West Virginia = DO NOT DRINK OR USE THE WATER. *Only use for toilet flushing

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek