When making a plan for your family, do include planning for your Dad. That’s right, Dads could be in danger!
Sturdy boots are a must-have for any emergency preparedness kit. Or else this could be your Dad. #NatlPrep
Welp, Saturday plans will have to look slightly different now.

Better mount up as I *think this is for Texas.

Well, I don’t *think I’m going to need my tie, but definitely my best pair of boots.
Incident Management: External Affairs Media Relations Spc…aka PIO!
Along with #Harvey – I spy with my right eye, #Hurricane #Irma
Packed State of Ohio EMA Joint Information Center / Joint Information System course today!

Started everyone into group work as well as ongoing discussion on the role of SMEs at a press conference.

Just in case, we also tasked participants to start thinking about a policy/protocol for their agency on sneak attack aka ambush interviews.

We found as we leverages our strengths and capitalize on our skills, we as JIC Managers can better meet the needs of any situation – we just gotta find the right PIOs for the job.

As our groups collaborated, we found that despite crossing state lines, we still have the same problems as other areas – thus proving our point that we need to consistently train together and exercise our plans together.

Many of our participants enjoyed working in the JIC setting and were excited to work in a JIC during the next activation. Most excellent as we build a strong cadre of PIOs across this great state.

My Ohio Peeps!
Reporting live from Medina County’s Emergency Operations Center….
A few home safety tips on surviving catastrophic flooding.

Some key USAR facts (from this morning’s brief):
Stay safe out there.
I better check my email now…
Busy morning yesterday and today. Lots of preparation going on for Hurricane Harvey.

So many hard-working Emergency Management pros from FEMA are working the magic to support those in the path of Hurricane Harvey with coordination of resources for deployment.
Fun time this morning at FEMA HQ.

Quick meeting with my manager and a quick hello to our other External Affairs pros on the 8th floor.
Additionally, lots of planning ongoing for the preparedness/response for Hurricane Harvey. And lots of senior administration here today to update ongoing issues as well as brief leadership on various branches of government.

Photo Credit: FEMA/Bill Koplitz
Despite the ongoing flurry of activity, I was still able to grab a few smiles from my External Affairs peeps.

@rusnivek and @EmergencyPrepGal
We are going to need everyone to listen to trusted sources of local, state, national information on safety measures being implemented throughout affected areas.
Please heed the warnings of your local public safety professionals.
Be safe peeps.