Day-2 of ICS-300

Starting off the second day with lots of convos on IAPs and critical forms that are needed for those onscene.

BTW-if you are looking for a link with all the FEMA ICS forms, you can find the most up-to-date ones here: https://training.fema.gov/icsresource/icsforms.asp.

IEMA-OHS Region-2 SDS Steve B. background from the wildfire community is outstanding and is a great example of how flexible the ICS system is all about.

We talked about specialized resources and the importance of putting supervisors in positions with background to handle the resources correctly.

We also briefed out on several scenarios that we could be put into with our public safety partners.

Sometimes, it’s awkward to pretend and use fictitious scenarios, but all the ESSD scenarios from FEMA are from real world incidents.

Yes, it’s Central City, but the State of Columbiana is always in trouble.

At the end of the day, just gotta make sure the markers are up for a fun Thursday surprise for everyone.

Always seems easy, but teaching days make for long days.

I am thankful for my staff to support these initiatives I’ve laid out to better position us for success.

Reporting live from the AHJ…

@rusnivek

A few colleagues from my Executive Academy cohort

Just thinking about a few colleagues from my FEMA Executive Emergency Management Academy cohort.

There’s so much more behind this picture than what you see.

Fun fact: 50% of the individuals in this picture have advanced in position and moved up in their respective organizations/fields.

Each of these pros pictured are hard charging Type-A personalities. Relentless in their efforts to do good stuff AND move mountains for good people.

We all need to continue to do more and reach out more frequently to our colleagues.

In service to others.

Taking my own advice, I’m going to call a few buddies now.

@rusnivek

24 years later, September 11th

A lot has changed in 24 years…
That morning, I remember being notified early on that ZOB reported UA Flight 93 with garbled radio traffic in distress.

Take the time to reflect and talk to the younger generations on the importance of dedication, service, sacrifice, and safety for all.

Be an advocate for change and an inspiration for generations to come.

Reporting live from my office…

@rusnivek

Sat phone partay!

Our 4th satellite phone came in today. Like gremlins, they are multiplying!

This Continuity of OPerations (COOP) effort is a phased plan that is imperative to everyone here.

It’s just another part of our COOP plan as Emergency Management leads the way for planning and coordination.

Think of it this way, it’s part of business continuity.

At any time, we have staff/SMEs around the world doing critical work. And we need instant communications with them and our global Exfil team that can deploy out immediately in an emergency.

In the near future, look to Argonne EM to lead the COOP effort for the area by providing high level training with our partners at FEMA.

Funny part, we are calling that part “Operation Kevins”

Reporting live from Sat phone stable…

@rusnivek

Annual interface training today

To better acclimate our public safety partners to our operations, we hosted our annual off-site agency interface training today.

Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, and key players from state and Federal were also on hand to make sure we are a well oiled machine when it comes to inbound resources.

Glad to see so many familiar faces on site today.

Just another way Emergency Management leads the way to collaborate with our most trusted partners in response and recovery.

Reporting live from today’s sesh…

@rusnivek

Hanging with the aF1 today

2025 Big City Emergency Managers in Chicago this week!

Along with all these pros from all over, I got a chance to meet the FEMA acting Administrator Tony Robinson

Nice guy!

Tony normally plays the role of the FEMA Region 6 Regional Administrator that covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 68 federally recognized tribal nations.

Welcome to Chicago!

Reporting live from the Chicago OEMC’s EOC….

@rusnivek