Aye matey!
As yer Captain (aka FEMA PIO) assigned to the Florida Keys – Make sure you tell and share ya matey about your preparedness kits.

Reporting live from pirate radio in the Florida Keys……Arrrrrgh!
Held the first Monroe County Townhall Community Meeting tonight. PIOs in action! They said there would be about 30 people there. But…

…I think someone misjudged the attendance.
We had several partners that attended as well. Glad to have participation from Red Cross.

PIO Sur reporting live from the stage here in Marathon City Park…
@rusnivek
It’s still National Preparedness month and it’s the start of week-3 focusing in on practicing and building out your plans.
GO kit sounds great, but if you have a hard time moving your go kit(s), then it’s likely a no kit. Make sure your go kits are light and lean.

Seriously bag lady, make sure you can carry it all!

For more great tips, check out more free tips from my friends at http://www.ready.gov
Change of plans this afternoon.
About to start a briefing with National Incident Management Team (IMAT) for response to southern Florida.
And yes, I am at home with T-cards on the wall and all C&GSFs briefing out.
***********Update***********
Breaking news: I have been reassigned as the FEMA PIO to cover the Florida Keys.
More details to follow.
Since almost everyone uses social media…
Teach your family how to properly use social media BEFORE a disaster. It’s another way to keep in communications w/ your family before, during, and after a disaster. #NatlPrep

Even in a disaster, we should all learn a bit of social responsibility.

And yes, we should all use our social media powers for good.
#PlanAhead to teach your family how to use social media.
As we rally up at the Federal Interim Operating Facility (IOF), our FEMA External Affairs contingent briefs with FEMA Rregion 5 External Affairs Mark Peterson.

In other words, this is basically us forming Voltron.
People in this picture will be immediately deployed across the State of Florida to integrate into Command positions as a part of the Federal response for Hurricane Irma (4337-FL). Not only PIOs, but we represent so many factions within External Affairs.
This is a Presidentially Declared Disaster so whisper me those magical two words – “Stafford Act”
Aww yeah boyeeeeee, bring it. EA in the house!
I forgot to post this pic from earlier, but I’m in Florida. Are you?

Proud to support the External Affairs mission for the Response Directorate.

Citing my good friends from PIAT’s favorite hashtag: #JICLIFE
Hope all of you are having a great #AlohaFriday
Plan for your family and neighbors? Absolutely!
Always check on your neighbors and make sure they are OK. You never know when you are going to have to save a life. #NatlPrep

Proud Father moment…about my own Dad. You see, he saved our neighbor’s life. Like for reals.
A few weeks ago, while my Father and our family’s dog (Buster) were out in the back yard, they noticed our elderly neighbor face-down in the yard. Not knowing the situation, my Father jumped the fence and rendered immediate medical care, called 9-1-1, and helped guide the HFD Engine and C&C Ambulance to the patient.

My Dad being shy, would easily be the first one to shrug it off and downplay his actions. But it’s really small things like this that make a difference in the lives of so many.
It is in my opinion that if my Father did not jump the fence and immediately rendered aid, our neighbor would have surely died. Now, our neighbors have more time to spend with their entire family together. So I cannot stress enough the importance of doing extraordinary stuff for people…like your neighbors.
This whole week, we have focused on doing things for others. On this #AlohaFriday, I’d like you to keep my Father’s actions in mind as you do the same for your neighbors.

I am so proud of my Dad.