Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

JIC/JIS Course here at DuPage County OHSEM

Posted on February 28, 2019 by rusnivek

Outstanding day to start the FEMA G0291: JIC/JIS Course here at DuPage County OHSEM.

And a solid Miley way to start the day is a party in the USA!

Awwwwwww yeah.

As always, a fine safety brief from John on class including info on 24/7 PIO support from both of us.

With the upcoming exercises, we wanted to give the participants an opportunity to share their experiences as well as how much training has helped them increase their output and network with others.

In class activities concrete key points so that we can all function well with each other. In the end, we hope that nothing happens…but the reality is that it is only a matter of time before we have to work together.

Train like you fight right?

How is DuPage County OHSEM doing it? We are fostering a workspace for collaboration not only in this area, but statewide. Here’s an example.

As stated before, a rising tide raises all ships.

We will learn/train together and we will enjoy our successes together.

And when a crisis hits or a disaster just happens, it will no doubt be a challenging work environment. But thanks to training and exercises, we as PIOs will be able to function well together and shine.

Reminds me of a quote: “When it rains, we roar.” – PIO Ryan S.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the next big one….in the JIC!

@rusnivek

Class comments – Yassssss!

Posted on December 13, 2018 by rusnivek

In reviewing my comments from yesterday’s class, I am reminded how much our impact and influence we have as instructors.

This is the reason why we as instructors, educators, and leaders share our experiences.

Without a doubt, there are clear differences between people who read the slides vs instructors who are passionate about improving our field.

It is imperative that we continue to push the envelope as we train and exercise our nation’s public safety professionals. During an emergency or disaster, there is no second chance. The community’s safety is of the utmost importance.

Our dedication to our public safety constituents is neverending and we must strive to be ready for any situation.

This is what we train for…this is what we do.

@rusnivek

Already December 2018? Are you serious?!?!?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by rusnivek

How in the world is it December already!

First week will be several NIMS/ICS courses for our County ESF-3 partners, few other Emergency Management courses for IL Region-9, and a Emergency Management/Health Department functional exercise w/ our CERT Teams for medication POD distribution.

Second week our office is hosting another FEMA G0289: PIO Awareness course and then a fun PIO Workshop at ABC7-Chicago on Friday.

Third week will be the FEMA G0290/G0291: Basic PIO Course and JIC/JIS course. Without a doubt a full class w/ wait list. Glad to finally nail this one for all of our partners in public safety, Cheers for Murray and Corey for championing this for everyone too.

Fourth week appears to be Christmas so likely yearly closeouts and wrap ups.

Yeowza. Honestly, I can’t believe 2019 is right around the corner.

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the 2018 DHS/FEMA Master PIO

Posted on September 18, 2018 by rusnivek

Day-2 of the 2018 Master PIO program and today we talk a bit about leading the future of PIOs nationally. Starting the discussion is USFA Tom Olashanski.

Lots to discuss and help shape the pathway for External Affairs. Everyone here contributing to the body of knowledge and discussing the future.

It’s more than just tools, more than protocols, it’s about how we move the ESF15 portion along and guide others to a successful career to supplement our Incident Commander as well as our mission objectives.

Also had some heated debate on current topics including the EAS system for mass notification.

Definitely the State of Alaska playing a heavy weight on current topics.

On to the presentation part!

So many different things to talk about.

A dynamic group and solid discussion all day and all evening long.

A completely dedicated bunch of peeps for sure!

@rusnivek

Day-1 of the final week of 2018 DHS/FEMA Master PIO class

Posted on September 17, 2018 by rusnivek

Day-1 of the 2018 DHS/FEMA Master PIO final week!

And yes, don’t have to look closely, I’m wearing a tie.

Stopping by is my good friend Interim Superintendent Steve Heidecker. Also sharing how proud he is of the staff at EMI and how they are augmenting the disaster response for Hurricane Florence.

Steve is an outstanding guy!

We most definitely had some solid PIO discussions at lunch…

And as you can imagine, with our class being from a bunch of states, we are all ready to enhance the PIO position in the Command and General Staff.

Yep, all smiles as we work through some complex problems for each of our respective jurisdictions.

Lots of great relationships as we plow through Monday of our Master PIO class.

More fun stuff this week!

@rusnivek

Last week of the 2018 DHS/FEMA Master PIO class

Posted on September 16, 2018 by rusnivek

Final week of 2018 FEMA Master PIO class at EMI.

Looking forward to seeing my cohort again and finishing up and defending our paper to the leadership staff at FEMA.

Man, I better concentrate!

@rusnivek

State of Ohio Joint Information Center System course in #Summit #County #PIO #JIC #JIS

Posted on February 22, 2018 by rusnivek

Lots of great discussion starting the State of Ohio Joint Information Center/System class (G-291).

PIOs from across the state sharing ideas on how we can all work together during an emergency is critical.

Scenario based PIO training works well as it puts our crews into the action mindset.

Thanks to our diverse backgrounds of our participants – we had various discussions on our all-hazards response as well as how we can better support each other in times of emergency or disaster.

Glad to have a new batch of PIOs ready trained for our external affairs efforts. I am confident that if we continue to train and educate our public safety professionals – that we can better serve all our 88 counties across the State of Ohio.

#pink PC: AC Bosso

Reporting live from the official State of Ohio JIC/JIS Course here in Summit County…

@rusnivek

State of Ohio EMA new Joint Information Center class in #SummitCounty #JIC #JIS #PIO #ESF15

Posted on May 5, 2016 by rusnivek

Rolling out the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s new G0291: Joint Information Centers (JIC) / Joint Information System (JIS) Planning for Tribal, state, and Local PIOs. Luckily, we were in the Command and Control room at the Summit County Health Department.

Command Control room…aka DOC

As always, its great teaching with Sister Michael Marie. Outstanding experiences and great stories from her international work in challenging areas of the world.

Even OEMA was checking in on our progress!

#truelove for us Emergency Management Instructors.

Sister Michael showcased the importance of all-hazard PIO involvement in emergency response to a natural hazard.

Everyone was able to share experiences and help each other improve – esp thinking outside the box on various scenarios.

By the end of this in-class activity, our participants realized that there are so many parts to a “simple disaster” that it pays to build partnerships early.

It’s all hands working in an emergency – so build your relationships early before a disaster.

Remember: At 0300, you ugly, you smell, you stink – and clearly that’s not the best time to meet new people and to function in an emergency at 110%.

“As Emergency Management, we must continue to nurture solid working relationships and common response/recovery objectives with our all-hazards partners in public safety.” – @rusnivek

Best part? At the end of the class, they all applauded.

slow-clap

Awwww yeah!

When was the last time a class applauded your Emergency Management NIMS ICS compliant class?

Heh.

As always, it’s great to teach with OEMA Instructor and consummate professional Sister Michael Marie.

There is so much going on in this picture. I can’t even.

I’m just glad to be a part of something big.

@rusnivek