Tag Archives: Illinois

Debut ICS-300: Intermediate ICS course here at Argonne

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First times the charm!

Welcome to the first ICS-300 class here at Argonne!

Introductions by our Division Director Mike P.

Proud to have participants from across the state attending. And for the first time at Argonne, we are super excited to see participants from local, county, state, and Federal agencies here.

That truly speaks to the collaborative nature of safety efforts for everyone.

Also happy to see IEMA-OHS Region-3 Regional Coordinator Lisa with us this morning too.

IEMA-OHS Region-3 covers all the greater Chicagoland suburbs and towns, but they do border Argonne so we mainly work closely with Region-4 and Region-3.

Proud to have Maria P. on my staff with me as we are fully capable and vetted to teach ICS classes.

And yes, if you were wondering, I’ve known Lisa and Maria well before I worked for the state.

Day-1 and we’re already putting everyone to work as we try to get everyone on the same page and same S.M.A.R.T. objectives.

Sometimes, these classes get drab esp if we only lecture so we almost immediately get everyone doing group work to foster more ideas.

This all-hazards approach to planning and solutions make it easier to digest the materials esp the tedious ones.

Proud to bring these courses to Argonne and proud of the partnerships many have already build here. I see fit to continue to empower all of our bestest partners in safety.

Look, I’ve only been here for 5 months, but the plans are starting to come together. #ArgonneEM

Reporting live from the Argonne Analytic Cell/EOC2…

@rusnivek

Your 2024 Democratic National Convention Joint Information Center team!

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I am honored to lead this Joint Information Center (JIC) with the US Secret Service.

I am incredibly thankful for everyone who participated with us from local, county, state, and Federal partners. Welcome to Illinois and the City of Chicago!

2024 Democratic National Convention Joint Information Center

Lots of dangers with these types of National Special Security Events (NSSEs), but through a well coordinated system with highly trained individuals,

Trust me, it took many months of introductions, planning, networking, scheduling, coordinating, and of course collaborating with our most trusted partners from across the country.

I’ve said it before, but it takes a certain skillset to be the agency’s PIO. No day is ever alike.

And no incident or event will ever be the same. Nothing is ever the same.

Proud of the work that was done this week to keep everyone safe.

Reporting live from the 2024 DNC’s Joint Information Center…

@rusnivek

Live hit on AccuWeather for the heat wave in the Midwest

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It’s hot! But we’re tracking it.

Your favorite PIO is popping the national hit.

Live spot with AccuWeather on the HeatWave here in the Midwest.

IEMA-OHS Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau on the update on weather safety.

Doing live interviews is tougher than it seems…esp having to do with the heat in the Midwest.

Here’ are a few tips that you can use.

Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing

Stay in the shade as much as possible.

Keep shades/blinds drawn.

Avoid using the oven.

Take frequent showers to stay cool.

Use cool/wet towels to cool off

Visit public cooling centers.

Use your local public pool.

Visit an indoor mall.

Take in a new movie at the movie theater.

Stay cool my friends!

@Rusnivek

Orientation on all of our command vehicles

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Starting the orientation on our command vehicles.

Lots to learn as these resources are incredibly helpful for our local public safety partners.

UAC: Unified Area Command

This thing is YUGE!

All I know is that I better not scratch this thing.

I wonder if they would let me drive it.

Reporting live from Springfield…

@rusnivek

Sunday full press conference with leadership

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Sunday funday right? #PIO

Looks like we got a prime spot for our presser today. Flag is up so let’s do this.

Assigned: Sunday Press Conference with senior leadership from County Health Department and County Chairman.

Me? I definitely burned the midnight oil but talking points all done. All reviewed and approved.

Let’s get this started because it looks like all my media friends are here. Welcome media partners!

Getting that angle just right….

But don’t forget, pic or it didn’t happen right?

And it’s Sunday so I didn’t a tie was necessary.

So let’s not delay.

Thanks to the friends at NBC5 Chicago for the live streaming of the presser.

Successful press conference with a few issues to review.

Shared learning points:

  • Trust your more seasoned PIOs to make solid strategic decisions.
  • Don’t be star-struck with national news media.
  • Lack of hard copy printing caused some hiccups.
  • Lack of skills will be very apparent within a few minutes of operation.
  • Lots to work through as this response will be a long response and even longer recovery.

Moving into the role of External Affairs Officer starting tomorrow. Likely turning on the lights for the Joint Information Center (JIC) too.

Hope your Sunday was good.

Reporting live from the presser….

@rusnivek

Morning briefing in the EOC with IL USAR TaskForce-1.

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Morning briefing in the EOC with the State of Illinois USAR TaskForce-1.

Special thanks to OTFPD Chief Ralph DeLucca on providing information on their response as well as their resources.

It is imperative that Emergency Managers continually learn about teams and resources from their jurisdictions. In crisis, there will be no time to forge these relationships. Your interactions will be judged on how seamless your operations and rollout goes.

Experience will show itself in seconds. In order to call the shots, you have to talk the talk and have to have walked the walk.

Trust me, people are watching.

And judging.

Reporting live from the EOC this morning….

@rusnivek