Detailed warning information on upcoming weather threats and other hazards

Welcome to the third week of 2020 National Preparedness Month! This week, we will be addressing how to prepare for specific disasters.

Compared to other weeks where we talk about general topics, plans, and maybe some things in your kit, we will be talking about how you can get stuff ready for each type of emergency or disaster.

So to start out, let’s talk about information about upcoming disasters.

A solid tool that is almost indispensable is…..your cell phone!

That’s right, that little computer/smart phone in your pocket is a GREAT way that you can discern information and better respond to the emergency.

One easy way is to download the FEMA app.

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https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app

The FEMA app has a ton of features that could be beneficial to your specific area. Specifically in the notification for five of your identified cities/county.

This feature provides the ability to see what’s going on in a certain area of the country. And since I travel, I always have the first slot in my list for home. This allows me to get any notification on stuff that could be happening at home.

The second, third, and fourth slot are for my family in Los Angles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Gotta keep an eye on the family no matter where they are. Plus an extra set of eyes from another part of the country is beneficial esp if they are sleeping at 0300 and it’s 0800 here.

Since I travel a fair amount, I usually reserve slot #5 (the last slot) for my work travel. Even though I may not be from Central City, I will always know the latest in dangers in my travel city.

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From critical tornado warnings or immediate evacuation tsunami warnings – I know I’ll be prepared for my location(s) specific disaster or emergency.

All of the information provided to you….FREE. That’s right-all the details are available to you for free. App is free. No charge from FEMA to download the app. No monthly fee. No recurring administrative charges.

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Ahhhh, safety for free.

I got your back.

More free tips tomorrow addressing specific hazards.

Reporting live from the third week!

@rusnivek

Sharing your #Family #Emergency #Communications #Plan with First Responders #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Happy National Preparedness month! The focus during this second week is on preparing friends and family for different emergencies.

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Showcasing the skills of local first responders are incredibly important to adults AND kids. And sharing important information (like a Family Emergency Communications Plan) with first responders is critical.

National Preparedness Month that promotes creating family emergency communications plans.

National Preparedness Month that promotes creating family emergency communications plans.

Often times, we overlook explaining what actually happens during an emergency.

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So take the time to explain to your kids that during an emergency, ALL first responders are there to help. And of course, don’t forget to teach your children to dial 9-1-1.

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Reminder: When teaching children to call 9-1-1, do not verbally say “Nine-Eleven” as there is not an eleven button on the phone.

Do it today!

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“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

@rusnivek

My Dad started his Neighborhood Watch Program!

I’m proud of my Dad who setup his Neighborhood Watch Program.

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Dad has been planning this for months now and even posted signs to get everyone involved. Because inviting and talking with the entire neighborhood about safety related topics are the key points of the Neighborhood Watch program. Also, my Dad went big – he blocked off the entire cul-de-sac for his event!

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Honolulu Fire Station-30 (Engine-30 & Ladder-30) stopped by to share some safety tips and what to do during an emergency.

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Ladder-30 showcased their equipment for everyone to see.

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Talked about ventilation saws for trench cuts and vertical cuts for fires.

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Also talked about extrication tools and generators for car accidents and confined space rescue.

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All the kids in the neighborhood got a chance to try out the headsets used for communications in the apparatus.

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Honolulu Police stopped by too.

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Even a surprise flyby thanks to Honolulu Fire Air-1 Helicopter.

In the end, this kind of neighborhood program is truly the basis of a safer community.

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Education, particularly teaching kids during an emergency, how to call 9-1-1 is crucial to a safe community.

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My Dad volunteered to do this. Yep, not paid. Just doing his part to keep his neighborhood and community safe. LOVE IT!

There are many other volunteer programs showcased by DHS/FEMA’s awesome Ready.Gov campaign on safety. Just like my Dad, I volunteer too with my community’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) aka RH-CERT.

Whether you are a part of your own Neighborhood Watch Program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Volunteers in Police Service (ViPS), Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), Fire Corps, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), etc…all of these civic based programs are so important to the fabric for the safety of our community across this great country.

So proud of my Dad!

@rusnivek

68th MAST and Mercy-29 #WBW #EMSWeek2016 #EMSStrong

WBW (aka Way Back Wednesday) – because my First ambo ride was in Mercy-29.

Mad props to Ken and Andy.

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Also, for aeromedical evacuation, shout out to the MAST pros from the 68th Medical Detachment in Hawaii.

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Note: When I first started, they were still flying Hueys.

No matter the location, all EMS Professionals work hard 24/7 – and serve proudly in any community that calls.

Thank your local EMS Professionals for a job well done!

What is EMS Week?

Since President Gerald Ford first recognized EMS Week in 1973, communities, hospitals, healthcare organizations, survivors and EMS agencies spend a week every year in May recognizing the lifesaving work of EMS professionals. AROUND THE COUNTRY, EMS Week is celebrated with a variety of events.

2016 EMS Week: Sunday May 15 through Saturday May 21

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What is EMS Strong?

The EMS Strong campaign seeks to celebrate, unify and inspire the men and women of our nation’s emergency medical services. Created by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), EMS Strong brings together associations, EMS services, sponsors and national media to honor the dedication of EMS practitioners nationwide.

@rusnivek

Have you seen @TSA Mr August #SafetySur

Have you seen Mr. August?

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Here’s my Uncle Pete doing some #SafetySur stuff for the official Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 2015 pocket calendar. Celebrity status for sure! So if you’ve been through the Honolulu International Airport, you’ve probably seen my Uncle (who has since been promoted to supervisory/management at TSA HNL).

If you were wondering, my Father and Uncle are proud Veterans who served their country. Yep, safety runs in my family’s blood…Safety runs in my blood. #SafetySur

Our family has always served this great country and I am extremely proud of all my family’s accomplishments and their continued vigilance on safety.

@rusnivek

It’s a sign alright #Hurricane #Iselle

This is NOT a good evacuation plan.

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Plan for routes that will be clogged with traffic.

Have your Family Communications Plan ready for everyone in your immediate family.

And don’t forget to hydrate.

Hope my Hawaii friends and family have prepared for Hurricane Iselle’s arrival today.

@rusnivek

On-call? Ready deployment? or traveling in the next 72-hours? #Iselle #HIWx

On-call? Ready deployment? or traveling in the next 72-hours?

Traveling to/from Hawaii in the next 72 hours?

Before you go, you might want to read these flight notifications from these commercial carriers.

United Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Delta Airlines

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Travel safe peeps.

@rusnivek

 

Structure vs Ambo – as usual, structure won #EMS

City & County of Honolulu: Ambulance accident w/ patient on 07-12-14.

Here’s the initial picture from the incident.

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Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Few things to review:

1. Good reminder to check your “Maximum height is ****” plate on your rig.
2. Law enforcement officials should really know the area, including height clearances.

3. Even if Police are leading you out, Fire/EMS should always be aware of your surroundings.

4. Social media is fast and information pertaining to your ongoing situations will always be faster than a PIO.

5. I can already see it now: “Dear Chief, I don’t know what happened…”

6. Crews should have their seatbelts on at all times while the vehicle is moving.

 

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Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Thoughts and prayers to the initial victim of the first emergency call.

I hope the leadership in Honolulu figure out the issues at hand. Emergency Service Professionals need some rest.

@rusnivek