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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Another solid JIC JIS course on #AlohaFriday

Posted on July 7, 2017 by rusnivek

Today is DHS/FEMA’s G-291: JIC/JIS planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs!

Lots to talk about esp coordination with various all-hazards agencies.

Also glad to share a few PIO/JIC stories on 3-girls that were missing for 10+ years as well as the 2016 NBA Championships, Republican National Convention, 2016 World Series, and 2017 NBA Championships.

On top of that, our class wanted to know more about social media so I can indulge a bit. Not only on #s, geolocation, platforms, etc….but also lots on newer wearable technology too.

As always in any class we instruct, we try to make fun and exciting. And yes, thumbs up for PIOs!

Special thanks to WTFD Capt Mike Pruitt for the coordination and hospitality.. Glad to see so many new PIOs in the audience.

Happy Aloha Friday peeps!

@rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA Basic Public Information Officer Program

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA’s Basic Public Information Officer Couse started out with reviews of all crisis interviews.

Collaborating on communications tactics with various agencies allows PIOs to craft the right message – esp in a disaster.

Erica had a chance to share JIC efforts from the Republican National Convention.

And you know I shared some tactics and tips on ascertaining open source info utilizing geolocation/metadata during a National Special Security Event. I also chatted briefly about tools field PIOs should use when deployed out.

After lunch we were fortunate enough to hear from a great panel discussion: Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine, the Information Officer for central Indiana and RTV6’s Investigative reporter Paris Lewbel.

Both panelists candidly shared information with everyone attending.

Side note: Sgt John Perrine is the brains behind the truly viral PSA hit on vehicles turn signals. Check it out here.

Great to work with so many pros today.

@rusnivek

This week, we are starting another G290…

Posted on July 5, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great start to a solid G-290: Basic PIO Course with WTFD.

Greetings and welcome to everyone in Region-5 by Capt Mike Pruitt.

Started out the morning with building a base of core PIO principals including reviewing writing that targets a specific target audience.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Ahem. Press releases are almost dead.

Erica talked about how critical Incident Communications Analysis plays a big part in how our audience uses/digests information.

We started all the on-camera interviews after lunch. Lots of great interviews…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…and solid techniques showcased in the field interview exercises…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…many of the participants are already functioning as PIOs within their own communities.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Group work in the afternoon…

…with more discussion and reporting out of critical facts while writing talking points.

We are so fortunate to have such a diverse class of participants willing to share information.

Reporting live from the most funnest PIO class ever…

@rusnivek

Day-4 of the DHS/FEMA AH NIMS ICS IMT IC Course at OEMA

Posted on June 22, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-4 of the DHS/FEMA All Hazards NIMS ICS IMT Incident Commander course here at Ohio EMA.

Lots of sharing of ideas esp from our partners from the US Foresty Division.

Obviously, they deal with large incidents all the time – esp this year being an already busy wildfire year.

Additionally, talking about the entire Command and General Staff and how they interact with all other positions are key to formulating a successful team.

Just glad we have everyone contributing to the conversation.

Lots of passionate people wanting every community to work together and succeed.

@rusnivek

Day-3 of FEMA IMT IC Course #NationalSelfieDay

Posted on June 21, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-3 of the FEMA #IMT Incident Commander course at Ohio EMA!

Lots to discuss esp transfer of command and planning Ps.

Also, today is NationalSelfieDay!

Bonus for the pink tie too #WeWearPinkOnWednesdays

@rusnivek

Day-2 of IMT Incident Commander on integration and deployment bags

Posted on June 20, 2017 by rusnivek

Lots to learn today with deep discussions on integration with various local, county, state, and Federal officials.

It’s acronym galore!

If you were wondering, that flow chart above makes perfect sense to me.

Morning was also spent on a huge discussion on deployment preparedness.

Trust me, I definitely got that part down.

Long day ahead tomorrow too including meetings with City of Columbus officials.

@rusnivek

Day-1 of IMT Incident Commander course at OEMA

Posted on June 19, 2017 by rusnivek

Morning Ohio EMA! #Mothership

Welcome to the first day of NIMS ICS Incident Management Team Incident Commander course!

Got a quick welcome from Ohio EMA Training & Exercise David Nunley.

Lots to discuss including responsibilities, leadership, and of course paperwork (ICS forms).

Great first day with participants from Ohio, New Mexico, Oregon, and Georgia with tons to digest in all the slides.

Lots.

Channeling my inner Patrick.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

@rusnivek

May we head into June 2017?

Posted on June 1, 2017 by rusnivek

May is out like trout and June has come in with a slew of activities as well as the 2017 NBA Finals!

First week I’ll be in Missouri teaching my favorite class – Social Media Tools & Techniques and a functional social media exercise in Columbus. Yes I know, that means I won’t be attending the 2017 UASI Conference in Buffalo. #Boooo. However, my free time will be spent at Game-3 and Game-4 of the 2017 NBA Championships. #GoCavs!!!!!

Second week I will be teaching the FEMA EMI Incident Management Team Plans Section Chief Course in Cincinnati. With so many members from USAR Ohio Task Force-1 (including Schulmann) attending, it’s going to be a fun class. Are you attending?

Third week I think I got blessed with the approval to take the IMT Incident Commanders course at the home EOC in Columbus. Lemme see if I can login this time (Password “JOSHUA”).

Fourth week will be doing some tactical training including quals. #pewpew

Honestly, I just hope to stay afloat this month.

Additionally, June 2017 will serve as the foundation month for the 2018 training schedule. Who’s ready for more classes?!?!?!?

Get your learn on!

@rusnivek

Twinsburg Fire for a bit today

Posted on April 21, 2017 by rusnivek

Spent part of my day at Twinsburg Fire (Summit County, OH).

Great to see Fire Chief Tim Morgan. Fun fact, I first met him when he was a new red helmet. We talked a bit about regionalization as well as building partnerships through our IMTs (Incident Management Teams).

But the fun began when I got a chance to chat with Assistant Fire Chief Steve Bosso about PIO stuff.

And of course other stuff too.

Say it with me: “partnerships”

Trust me, its great to have such an outspoken advocate for safety at Twinsburg and Summit County.

Be safe peeps – always lean on your trusted fellow peeps before the big one hits.

@rusnivek

Teaching ICS-400 today

Posted on March 29, 2017 by rusnivek

Who’s ready for some ICS-400 action?

ICS-400 aka Advanced Incident Command System (ICS) is going to be fun!

Hoping to showcase a few successful incidents (like NBA Championships, 2016 World Series, Hurricane Sandy, and of course the Republican National Convention).

Reporting live from the Health Department!

@rusnivek