Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Technical jargon and giving actionable information Safety-PIO-SM-14-006

Posted on September 26, 2014 by rusnivek

14-006: Technical jargon and giving actionable information
Agency: Chicago Fire Department	Topic(s): Industry codes / Actionable info
Date: Fall 2014	Platform: Twitter

Industry speak or technical jargon is part of what we do every day. But using technical terms on a social media platform will be confusing to those who are NOT in the fire service. That’s what the Chicago Fire Department did yesterday at their big 3-alarm fire when they tweeted technical jargon.

The use of technical jargon is rampant in emergency services but when speaking to the media or the general public, we need to remember that everyone did not grow up with a VOX alarm or SCU tones. In this case, a “311” or 3-11 alarm means that there are 11 engines, 5 Trucks, 2 Tower Ladders, 6 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Squad, 2 Ambulances, 2 Paramedic Chiefs, Deputy District Chief, Deputy Fire Commissioner, and the 1^st Deputy Fire Commissioner are onscene. There is no way to include all that information in a tweet, but using more simple terms will help your audience understand the scale of your ongoing incident.

Before you post images, make sure your pictures are rotated correctly. I know accuracy is sometimes overlooked in lieu of speed, but it takes less than 5 seconds to orientate/rotate a picture (In this case, it was going to be a long operation). And note, by just rotating a picture does not equate that you are “doctoring up” photos. But a correctly posted photo will help media repost and format your information quicker to the masses.

During an emergency situation, your constituents need the information pushes to be actionable and specific to your audience. Not only inform them of the danger, but tell them what they can do about it.

A more effective tweet could have read:

Chicago Fire: Large 3-alarm fire at Harrison St x Fifth Ave. Traffic delays-avoid the area. (insert two pictures)

By phrasing it this way:

You cite the authority having jurisdiction and established incident command presence.
You generally described the size/category of the ongoing incident and critical information to media.
You identify the exact location of the incident.
You describe the delays in the area and give actionable information to your constituents.
You still have lots of room to push properly orientated pictures with your informational tweet.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:

TechnicalJargonAndGivingActionableInformation-Safety-PIO-SM-14-006

Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 11, 2014 by rusnivek

Solemn day in this second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#11: Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Do it….Get to know your local emergency services.

For those of you who have written plans, please share them with your local emergency services. Take your kids to the Fire Stations, Police Stations, and EMS Stations…teach them the importance of these essential services who will be first on the scene during an emergency.

Teach your kids how to call 9-1-1. Teach them that help will always be there.

And yes, it is your steadfast preparedness efforts that greatly contribute to the readiness of the US.

So take a moment today to reflect on one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of the US. As a country, we will never stray from the freedoms that allow us to be the home of the brave.

I have sad, but great memories of my time at Ground Zero.

I’m honored to have been a part of this effort at the WTC.

I witnessed the resolve and resilience of everyone in New York City and across this great nation. This fierce American spirit should remind each of us of the importance of our disaster work we do every day.

I believe everyone in the world can remember what they were doing when they heard the news of the attacks in 2001. And now more than ever, we must take the steps to ensure our freedoms continue to ring for every single American.

Please honor those Firefighters and countless other heroes who have given their lives for our great nation.

Never give up. Never forget.

@rusnivek

Looking forward to watching “A Good Job” with Brother Steve Buscemi #Firefighter

Posted on August 29, 2014 by rusnivek

Pretty stoked to watch “A Good Job”

Thank you to FDNY, HBO, and Brother Steve Buscemi.

@rusnivek

Correct typing starts early… #Tanker #Tender

Posted on August 23, 2014 by rusnivek

No Tonka, according to the FEMA NIMS Typing, this is a Tender.

Ahem.

**Truth be told, I’ve mistakenly done this over the statewide radio. #oops

@rusnivek

Write For Different Platforms-Safety-PIO-SM-14-003

Posted on August 15, 2014 by rusnivek

14-003: Write for Different Platforms
Agency: Rocky Mountain Area IMT	Topic(s): Social Media Platform Specific Messaging
Date: Summer 2014	Platform(s): Press Release vs Twitter

Despite the message being essentially the same, every communications platform is different.

Speed is important, but correctly addressing your audience is critical in the world of public information.

On July 1, 2014, this tweet was posted on the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team’s feed during the Eightmile Fire while deployed in Canon City, Colorado.

“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” In all caps? All caps use on social media portrays yelling. Professionals should portray calm/control.

Twitter’s social media platform premise is a fast microblog service focusing on immediate information. This templated press release lingo (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) is not necessary. Every tweet is automatically time/date stamped including matching the recipients’ time zone. Do not waste your valuable 140 characters.

To me, this was a cut-and-paste action, or even worse yet, they just linked the agency’s Facebook and Twitter accounts together. No time was spent in addressing the various platforms used to push this valuable information. Remember, PIO actions on each platform in social media are not generic, they are specific. We talk about safety to kids differently than we inform adults on safety right? Likewise, we should address our audiences on social media accordingly to the platform they use.

A more effective tweet could have read:

“Updated information & stats on the #Eightmile Fire ongoing in Colorado can be found here fb.me/6KArLmgFr ”

By phrasing it this way:

The tweet is shorter and more concise.
Tweet identifies where the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team is deployed.
The main point of contact is identified on the Facebook link provided if more specific information is needed.
Shorter messaging will allow your followers to retweet/repost and amplify your information.
The use of hashtags will help audiences find information about the #Eightmile Fire and identify the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team as a trusted source of information.

Know the differences in mainstream social media platforms because what will work on one old platform (press release) will NOT work on newer platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc…) Know social media and use their amenities to your advantage.

Time is valuable, so post good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: WriteForDifferentPlatforms-Safety-PIO-SM-14-003

All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding

Posted on August 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.

I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.

Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).

Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.

IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.

Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.

@rusnivek

LODD Captain Bowen’s Story by Randy Mantooth #Firefighter

Posted on July 24, 2014 by rusnivek

Definitely a worthwhile video to watch pertaining to the Asheville Fire Department Captain Jeff Bowen Line Of Duty Death (LODD) in 2011.

http://vimeo.com/101231318

*Personal note: Capt Bowen was one of my students in my Firefighter class.

Video produced by Randy Mantooth and sponsored by Masimo.

Jeff: Keep an eye out for all of us at the elevated IC.

@rusnivek

Sutphen recall #Firefighter

Posted on July 22, 2014 by rusnivek

FYI-Sutphen announced a recall on their ladder trucks.

@rusnivek

Press Release – Five-Section Aerials

Dublin, OH **For Immediate Release**

Date: July 22, 2014

RE: Sutphen Voluntarily Removing 5-Section Aerial Devices From Service

Sutphen Corporation has announced that the Company is instructing customers to remove all SPH 100, SP 110, SPI 112, and SAI 110 Aerial devices from service, until further notice, effective immediately. The Company states that customers are instructed to use the affected apparatus in the capacity of an engine or support vehicle only. The Company will stay in close contact with its customers to report details and when the units may be place back in service. “At this time, our priority is the safety of our firefighters,” says Drew Sutphen, President of the Company. “In light of the recent incidents, we recognize there is an immediate need to take precautionary action. I would rather take every precaution necessary than to put firefighters at risk.” The Company states that it will be contacting customers with the affected units personally to inform them of the events that have occurred and the steps that are being taken to get the units back in to service in a timely manner. “We feel the need to personally assure our customers that we are working to investigate and correct the situation,” Drew continues. Sutphen Corporation is an Ohio based privately held, family owned business that manufactures custom built emergency response vehicles. The company’s headquarters are located in suburban Dublin, Ohio northwest of Columbus. For more information contact the sales office.

Toledo LifeFlight under the microscope for non-life threatening aeromedical transport #EMS

Posted on July 22, 2014 by rusnivek

So it seems like Toledo LifeFlight and Put-In-Bay EMS just made WKYC’s news last night. I’m not quite sure who this investigative report is intended to pin the blame, but to me it sounds like Toledo LifeFlight is under the microscope because of non-life threatening aeromedical transport.

(Pertaining to EMS calls) “We don’t want to go short on the staff here.” – Keith Kahler, PiB EMS.

“…anxiety attack that looks very similar to a chest pain” – Dr. Daniel Schwerin, Toledo LifeFlight Medical Director.

Watch WKYC’s investigative story here

Did WKYC cut Dr. Schwerin clip a bit short? Did the spokesperson from PiB EMS give contradictory statements? Or did Tom Meyer get too excited just by reading police reports?

Let me know what you think.

@rusnivek

Hold the phone…literally!

Posted on July 18, 2014 by rusnivek

Hold the phone…literally!

With the weekend upon us, this should serve as your Friday public safety message to start the weekend.

#smem #socialmedia #safety #ems #emt #paramedic #ema #emergency #management #fire #firefighter #police #law #dept #rescue

@rusnivek