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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Spent my day with my hometown CERT

Posted on July 12, 2015 by rusnivek

Spent my day volunteering with my hometown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

On arrival, I thought I was going to get assigned a different task, but logistics and parking was the identified main concern and safety was an issue.

After I got briefed on the event, I discussed our situation with all the participants. As CERT, we coordinated our efforts so that our actions/tactics could best match the safety of our personnel as well as others who were there attending the event.

I briefed the Mayor on our ongoing operations and even looked at a few alternate plans.

Of course we continued to assess our event and think about other safety measures.

And of course we had a few moments to share a smile.

Fun fact, our Council President and Safety Chair is also a proud founding member of my awesome CERT Team. Booya!

Seriously, I love it when elected members of local government give back to their community.

We identified a few issues that will need to be made for the 2016 event (like a formal all-hazards traffic plan with maps, uniformed vests, pre-event plan dissemination/distribution, more participation, etc…). Maybe a formal Incident Action Plan (IAP). Fairly easy stuff that we would be happy to share w/ our constituents.

Wait….What? You have never heard of FEMA’s CERT program before? Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

More info can be found on FEMA’s website here.

Want to volunteer within your own community? Want to make a difference in your community? Click here to locate the closest CERT Team to you!

As always, I believe I can make a difference in my community. Fun fact: I’ve been volunteering with my CERT since 2007.

I hope you will do the same.

@rusnivek

Easy 4th of July safety tips #FireworksSafety

Posted on July 1, 2015 by rusnivek

Safety tips? You bet!

Here’s some basic 4th of July Fireworks safety tips:

Safety tip: Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Safety tip: Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Safety tip: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Safety tip: Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
Safety tip: Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

Thanks @Readygov #FireworksSafety

Happy safe 4th of July week/weekend everyone!

@rusnivek

Another brand new social media engagement presentation at FSU

Posted on June 19, 2015 by rusnivek

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

Created and designed and now piloting the new SM

Posted on June 18, 2015 by rusnivek

I rolled out my new FEMA presentation for FEMA Region-4 peeps at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.

At this time, this course is the semi-final pilot so I’m almost there!

Obvs, I had to incorporate a great preparedness campaign from my friends at the CDC. Have you heard of their preparedness campaign before? It costed the CDC a killer $87 (Get it? I’m so punny).

How about them Zombies?

Classroom activities make it easier for our all-hazards partners to come up with good messaging during preparedness, response, and recovery.

Shared experiences and open discussion amongst public safety providers allows for solid social media solutions to be developed for many common issues.

Participants use various hardware and software platforms to complete each assigned performance-based task. This showcases the spectrum of social media that spans hardware and software differences.

Final will be presented for certification in August in FEMA Region-9 at the State of California Emergency Operations Center located in Sacramento.

So nervous! But seriously, I’m so excited for this project, I can’t even…

@rusnivek

Another semi-final pilot FEMA course #NDPTC

Posted on June 17, 2015 by rusnivek

In with the new – instructing another semi-final pilot for this FEMA course.

Why? Because social media is all about engagement.

Fun stuff in FEMA Region-4 at the Florida State University.

@rusnivek

Extolling the virtues of new social media stuff today! #NDPTC

Posted on June 16, 2015 by rusnivek

Extolling the virtues of new social media stuff today!

Semi-final pilot for this new FEMA course.

Reporting live from Florida State University in FEMA Region-4 #NDPTC

@rusnivek

Tour from TFD and now instructing at FSU #Florida

Posted on June 15, 2015 by rusnivek

Thanks to the crew from Tallahassee Fire for their quick station tour and hospitality.

Lots of equipment in a relatively small station. Also a good to hear that their AOR is growing and the chance for advancement is great at TFD.

Great to share a few stories – because no matter where you are from, the Brotherhood of Firefighters will always shine and exemplify the true meaning of family.

Now I’m starting off the morning on campus at beatiful Florida State University on the official FEMA/NDPTC class.

PIOs/PAOs – let’s get it on!

@rusnivek

A little Aloha in South Dakota!

Posted on June 12, 2015 by rusnivek

Bringing a little Aloha to South Dakota – great class today at Pennington County Emergency Management Agency.

Now use your SM/PIO skills for good!

Looking forward to today’s class.

@rusnivek

All-Hazards participants in today’s class in South Dakota

Posted on June 11, 2015 by rusnivek

Here for the class today. Numerous all-hazards responders including US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), US Forestry Service, FireAttack T-1/2 AHIMTs, local law enforcement, infrastructure, utilities, public safety comms, PIOs, healthcare, Tribal agencies, and Emergency Management professionals from South Dakota.

Nothing gets in the way of good training!

In breaking for lunch just now, participants asked if the fella over there with the hella good hair had any Taylor Swift.

Yes, I’m a very accommodating instructor – no problem!

Reporting live from the EOC…FEMA Region-8 baby!
@rusnivek

Merick named Executive Director of Ohio Emergency Management Agency #OEMA

Posted on June 10, 2015 by rusnivek

Sima Merick was named as the Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Previous Executive Director Evan Schumann now serves as the Deputy Director of OEMA.

The primary mission of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency is to coordinate activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. This mission is carried out by closely interfacing with local, state and federal agencies in an effort to bring resources of recovery and support to Ohioans impacted by the disaster. In addition to disaster response and recovery, Ohio EMA agency activities include: education, training, planning and preparedness – strengthening Ohio’s first responder capabilities and improving communication across the state.
@rusnivek