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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

National Preparedness Symposium Day-3

Posted on May 23, 2019 by rusnivek

Final day of the 2019 National Preparedness Symposium here at CDP! Lots to share as we open up the day with a long talk on cyber.

Hint to Emergency Managers, Cyber is the sexy incident now…so I suggest you plan and design with your training manager now. Yep, you heard me right, cyber = sexy.

Noooooooow switching from cyber to FIT – because we will all get a FIT!

Here to listen in on the deets for the FEMA Integration Teams (FIT) from my FEMA LNO in Hurricane Irma, ladies and gents, put your hands together for…….. John Allen!!!!!

John Allen, better known as FEMA’s Director of Preparedness Integration and Coordination out of HQ has been point person for this effort started when previous FEMA Administrator Brock Long started.

This program imbeds FEMA Planners at specified locations to support all state, local, tribal, and territory (SLTT) partners. Rollout has been ongoing as this is a phased effort. Many of the 56 FITs are not staffed yet.

Also fortunate to have one of the FIT Leads with us from Idaho – hiya Justin!

Great to see that kind of partnerships on all levels including building confidence in the SLTT’s efforts. The most beneficial aspect of the program would be that the FIT can provide RRCCs and NRCC accurate SA/COP for real-time operational assessment and needs. So more than just an FEMA LNO, these FITs are able to integrate and provide immediate support.

But truth be told, the FITs are really integrated into their community as they live there. They work there. They are part of the response, recovery side of any event or incident that state may have. Great idea!

Me? I’m totes interested.

Riding on the wave of productivity, we popped back into our regional groups again and talked about our lessons learned from this symposium.

We discussed at length how we can help each other under blue/grey skies time…and really support each other during event/disasters.

Here’s a little behind the scenes of the group. Everyone participated including solid contributions from our tribal partners.

After all, isn’t that the mantra of Emergency Management? Building relationships before a disaster?!?!? See, even the pros practice what we preach!

In breaking for lunch, I know many of you remember taking IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 and remember this slide.

I wanted to dispel the rumor, that is NOT me.

Saw a few of the FIWA folks in the hall and thanked them for their help during our MRTs as well as our pre-disaster deployment support prior to Irma. While there, I had them check my FEMA phone and tuned up. They reminded me that I still needed to do my yearly compliance training on “Security Awareness”

#whoops

As the symposium closed out, we had the color guard from the Anniston Police stop by to retire the colors.

Everyone who attended work tirelessly in protecting our nation from emergencies and disasters. We all believe in helping out and supporting all our communities because a prepared nation is a more resilient nation.

On the door step of the Memorial Day weekend, we all pause to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect everyone in this great nation.

Be safe out there folks!

Reporting live from the 2019 National Preparedness Symposium…

@rusnivek

2019 National Preparedness Symposium Day-2

Posted on May 22, 2019 by rusnivek

An incredible Wednesday as we continue our efforts to collaborate here at the 2019 National Preparedness Symposium.

I chatted with Acting FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor on the importance of continuing to build a culture of preparedness and how it is so critical to our audiences.

Super nice guy.

He then popped the morning plenary session to the entire conference and FEMA employees. Huge discussion on our strategic plan and then a few things in his role as a state director he wished he had when he started at FEMA.

Solid insight from the top at FEMA. Nice guy.

Lots of afternoon sessions including one with the National Disaster Preparedness Consortium (NDPC).

Great discussion amongst participants including

Policy/procedure on admittance into courses
Frank discussion on prerequisites for admittance into class
Ongoing class challenges including rostering.

After the NDPC panel discussion was over, I quickly moved a few rooms over to check out a worthwhile discussion on the I–35 bridge and failing infrastructure. Also had some discussion about structural assessments.

Glad to be having ongoing discussions to maintain our critical access points in many cities across the US.

Then it was time to present my course: Social Media in Emergency Management. Woohoo!!!!

Glad to be sharing the knowledge with providers from across the country.

Engaged audience including a few questions on engagement as well as OSINT gathering and augmented reality. Great to peek the interest and maybe MAYBE be that catalyst for change with our industry.

Shout out to Bronlea the n00b as this was her first trip to the Center for Domestic Preparedness!

Looking forward to tomorrow’s FIT class with FEMA Director John Allen.

Reporting live with all the HQ peeps hanging in FEMA Region 4…

@rusnivek

Doc-May we all try to emulate your dedication to the mission

Posted on January 26, 2019 by rusnivek

Doc!

Your contributions to the safety of our country is immeasurable. It is because of your dedication to preparedness and national doctrine that we are better, stronger, quicker, and faster.

May we all try to emulate your dedication to the mission.

I have great memories as do so many others from other agencies. You will be sorely missed my friend.

Till the next selfie op…

@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

Early morning meeting with the Director of National Integration #WHSMEM #SURINDC

Posted on July 29, 2014 by rusnivek

Early start today meeting with Doc Lumpkins who is the Director of National Integration Center for DHS/FEMA.

Numerous points discussed w/ the group:

Large discussion based on NIMS typing of IT teams
Increasing trust with public and private partnerships
Clear NIMS/ICS standards for use in the EOC standardization (like ICS vs hybrid vs non-compliant)
Real social media use for PIOs in the JIC/JIS for actionable information
The broad impact of net neutrality
VOST as a deployable asset
Delivery of classes for RCPT and functional needs population
States who have ESFs which do not match up with standards established by DHS/FEMA (aka rogue ESFs)
Advanced resource typing
CPG and committees to help guide CPG review
Whole communities approach through framework
Private sector approach/interactions and their use of NIMS
Integration of planning across various levels and agencies

Doc’s team engaged our questions and honestly answered several burning issues. As the week continues, Doc informed us that more materials were going to be released from the National Integration Center and National Protection Framework shortly for review. EXCELLENT!!!

Just like at the NEMA conferences, UASI conferences, etc…I really enjoy meeting with Doc Lumpkins. He provides great insight and he is HILARIOUS!

Overall, by engaging with the core prominent Social Media in Emergency Management peeps, Doc Lumpkins and the rest of the National Integration team can continue to incorporate real and pressing issues into the new doctrine.

Thanks again for the meeting Doc!

Now my ride just arrived, a black suburban, headed for the White House!

@rusnivek

My day at FEMA HQ #Prepared2014

Posted on March 30, 2014 by rusnivek

Had a chance to stop by FEMA HQ.

Also FEMA’s new MCOVs were on display right next to Quizno’s. Neeto stuff.

One of the highlights was a chance to sit and hang in the NRCC for a bit…just to see where the magic happens. Sa-weet.

Then on to the serious stuff. Lots of discussion with FEMA’s External Affairs folks pertaining to preparedness and readiness. #Prepared2014 – great stuff planned as we move into mid 2014. Truth be told, I’m just glad to be a part of the action.

I also enjoy meeting with people who are passionate about their jobs and really believe in their careers. It’s not often you get to see that kind of true dedication.

Running to make my afternoon meetings, I got a chance to hang with several Emergency Managers from around the country who were in town attending the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Mid Year Planning Conference in VA.

Not only are they true fellow emergency managers, more importantly, they are friends. Trouble was to be had since we tried to emulate Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar night #Selfie for the other #SMEM folks. BTW-if you don’t know these peeps in this picture, trust me, you should. No seriously, trust me, you should.

Mahalos to Meischa Jackson for the assist.

I also got to sit down and talk again to Doc Lumpkins who is the Director of National Integration Center at FEMA HQ.

Haven’t seen him since the 2011 UASI Conference in San Francisco. I can’t begin to tell you how funny he is. I got nothing but mad respect for this guy!

In review, I should really make more trips to DC to meet with my peeps.

*sigh*

Now off to South Carolina!

@rusnivek