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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Day-1 ICS-300 with strong DoD participation

Posted on July 9, 2018 by rusnivek

It’s Monday morning so lets kick off another hard core ICS-300 course…in the Poinsettia Room! 🌺

Also known as the city’s Emergency Operations Center too.

Diverse groups today with a strong showing from our Department of Defense and local public safety professionals.

This kind of joint training provides us the opportunities to build stronger partnerships and even strengthen the preexisting bonds with DoD assets including a few special teams.

Lots of group work as participants figure out priorities and challenges during the first few hours and into the first/second operational period.

But working through the issues in a calm classroom will help reduce the amount of stress during an actual emergency. Finding out strengths and gaps and addressing them so that everyone can respond better to any incident. That’s right enhancing response capabilities.

Sound familiar? That’s what HSPD-5 (Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5) is all about. A coordinated response! <heavy breathing>

That is exactly what Emergency Management is all about – build relationships for a coordinated response. <heavier breathing>

And also proof, if you teach it right, you can get people to smile in my ICS classes.

Awww yeah!

Great work from all participants – lotsa participation from everyone!

Glad to see so much collaboration from local, county, state, Federal, and DoD assets.

And as always, thank you for your service to our great country.

Happy birthday Marty. It’s a great first day.

Looking forward to the next two days!

@rusnivek

Hi Unique you dropped your phone #PIO #SocialMedia

Posted on July 7, 2018 by rusnivek

Law enforcement has been in some tough situations. Most recently, social media has been credited with engaging the public.

In fact, some agencies have used social media to engage suspects who may leave items behind on a scene of a crime. Oooooo, evidence!

But this is not one of those cases.

On 07-04-18, this image was initially shared on Facebook then across various social media platforms.

The image with caption inferring that local law enforcement agency was pursuing the suspect and that the suspect dropped his/her cell phone while eluding law enforcement. Then, in order to reach out to the suspect and friends of the suspect, local law enforcement uses the suspect’s social media account to reach out and taunt.

While funny for public safety, we as trusting public safety pros need to take time to dispel rumors and verify facts. PIOs should be at the front line of this issue.

And yes, this post was actually fake. What the whut?

Here’s Chicago Police PIO Anthony Guglielmi’s response to this post gone viral.

Sooooooo, to recap:

The initial Facebook post was not associated to incident.
Image was borrowed from unrelated event.
LEOs were not involved in pursuit of suspect.
Law enforcement agencies are usually professional.
PIO was on it and addressed concern once information was vetted w/ 7th District.
Squashed viral post with real information. #truth

Well done CPD PIO!

Again, as PIOs we are the shepherds of our agency when it comes to reporting the facts and dispelling the rumors.

We as PIOs must remain vigilant and dispel rumors as soon as they appear. This is your job. The agency’s reputation is on the line so ensure the longevity and be cognizant of your agency’s image 24/7.

@rusnivek

Proud to have trained #EmergencyManagement and #PublicSafety for the Superbowl

Posted on February 4, 2018 by rusnivek

Proud to have been a small part of the DHS/FEMA Incident Command training for all public safety professionals at the Superbowl today.

Have fun in Minneapolis…

…and most importantly, keep em safe peeps!

@rusnivek

Starting another ICS-400: Advanced ICS

Posted on January 16, 2018 by rusnivek

Another solid start to a fun ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff course.

Looking forward to expanding on the concepts in ICS-300 and enhancing it with some of my most recent disaster deployments Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Reporting live from the classroom of fun…

@rusnivek

Disaster communications – FEMA’s MCOVs and IRVs

Posted on October 19, 2017 by rusnivek

When major disasters strike, many local communities lose the ability to communicate.

Whether hardline communications, cellular service, or data – communications is the life blood of any public safety initiative.

So vehicles like FEMA’s MCOVs and IRVs provide a great service re-establishing disaster communications for areas who have nothing.

MCOV: Mobile Communications Office Vehicle

IRV: Incident Response Vehicle

Several vehicles like this are currently deployed out supporting various missions now.

Fun fact, did you know these types of vehicles are

Everything about disaster response isn’t easy. I continue to share that logistics make the world go round.

@rusnivek

Briefing w/ National IMAT for Southern Florida Operations

Posted on September 16, 2017 by rusnivek

Change of plans this afternoon.

About to start a briefing with National Incident Management Team (IMAT) for response to southern Florida.

And yes, I am at home with T-cards on the wall and all C&GSFs briefing out.

Can you support the plan?!?

***********Update***********

Breaking news: I have been reassigned as the FEMA PIO to cover the Florida Keys.

More details to follow.

@rusnivek

Changing my Saturday plans in 3…2..1…

Posted on September 2, 2017 by rusnivek

Welp, Saturday plans will have to look slightly different now.

Better mount up as I *think this is for Texas.

Well, I don’t *think I’m going to need my tie, but definitely my best pair of boots.

Incident Management: External Affairs Media Relations Spc…aka PIO!

Along with #Harvey – I spy with my right eye, #Hurricane #Irma

@rusnivek

I see Brock likes IAPs too

Posted on August 4, 2017 by rusnivek

I see DHS/FEMA Administrator Brock Long likes IAPs and the Plans Section too.

Shout out to all those hard working PSCs!

@rusnivek

Last day ICS-400! Preparing our public safety providers for complex incidents

Posted on July 12, 2017 by rusnivek

Last day of ICS-400: Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff – complex incidents.

Great to have providers in our training class from across the state – esp since they are participating in their backup Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Lots to discuss and collaborate esp when discussing MACs (multiagency Coordination) in conjunction with Unified command.

Shared a few videos from back in the day including showcasing a bunch of FL Emergency Managers.

During all the classroom TTEs, I love that so many are actively engaged and participating. This kind of joint effort in preparedness planning and coordinated response will only help solidify efforts in their upcoming National Special Security Event (NSSE).

Great class – thank you to everyone who attended!

@rusnivek

Day-1 of ICS-400 – who’s excited?!?

Posted on July 11, 2017 by rusnivek

Who’s excited for some ICS-400 today?!?!?

Great start for today’s NIMS ICS-400 Advanced ICS Command & General Staff – Complex Incidents.

Michelle from Emergency Management welcoming everyone to the Training Center (aka backup EOC).

With almost every Emergency Support Function (ESF) represented, we were able to facilitate solid discussion on opening a second Operations Section or Logistics Section.

Collaboration with various partners in public safety, health departments, and National Guard will only help increase speed and efficiency for response/recovery efforts.

Building an Area Command chart(s) in the Unit-4 will help put things into perspective esp when situations has to deal with multiple locations and prioritization of resource allocation.

I know, poor Fryville.

However, various discussions just happens to align with large scale events like political rallies, national sports events, and National Special Security Event (NSSE).

Great first day. Looking forward to more discussion tomorrow too.

@rusnivek