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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

JICing it out today in class

Posted on February 2, 2017 by rusnivek

Solid Thursday talking about Joint Information Centers (JICs) and Joint Information Systems (JISs).

Additionally, seeing how our Federal partners build into local and state response is key to showcase how everyone works together.

It is imperative that we continue to push the efforts of our all-hazards partners in public safety to ensure our community ability to return to normal after any disaster.

Later this afternoon, we’ll dive into some social media tech stuff including a bit on intelligence. Hope to share the power of social media with my new peeps.

PC Credit: Nina

Also, I hope they now use their social media powers for good!

@rusnivek

Setting up for this week’s classes

Posted on January 30, 2017 by rusnivek

Setting up all the fun today for our Basic PIO course and JIC/JIS course.

Both these FEMA courses are cornerstone classes that all external affairs professionals should take. Additionally, the emergency management/disaster response networking opportunities are outstanding.

And yes, we are going to do some on camera interviews too.

Bring your A-game.

Hope to see you in my class tomorrow.

@rusnivek

Showcasing some of the specialty teams in play for the upcoming RNC #RNCINFO

Posted on July 15, 2016 by rusnivek

Press event yesterday morning to showcase all the equipment and teams that could be utilized and deployed out for next week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland.

Cleveland Police Sgt Jen Ciaccia lead the effort that started at 0600.

After events in Dallas, the bomb robot was of great interest to everyone.

If you take the time to understand the technology, this is an invaluable piece of equipment to any police department.

Some reporters wanted to try to wear the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) suits.

NBC Nightly News Correspondent Jacob Rascon even hoped on the Mounted Unit to see what it was like to ride above the crowds.

Nice guy.

Don’t worry, Cleveland Police’s Mounted Unit doesn’t j-walk…

…like you, they use the cross walk.

Bike patrol officers from across the state including Blue Ash Police and Akron Police were out running training throughout the city.

It’s great to have so many law enforcement agencies working together to ensure safety for all participants.

Additionally, lots of pros working behind the scenes making magic happen.

Proud to have a so many Public Information Officers (PIOs) working together in the Cleveland Joint Information Center (JIC).

Looking forward to more fun tomorrow.

And yes, it’s t-minus 3 days…

@rusnivek

Joint SM and Intel SOG reviews for a large upcoming event

Posted on June 16, 2016 by rusnivek

Reviewing my SOGs and social media assignments for the all-hazards social media specialists / intel positions in the JIC for an upcoming large scale national event.

An important part of any Joint Information Center (JIC): Now discussing the best non-verbal urgent alert hand signals for all staff deployed to the JIC.

Clearly, Mama PIO wins this round.

PIOs serving our community as well as our nation and of course planning for all kinds of “stuff”.

Great plans with solid PIO peeps makes all the difference.

Trust me on this one.

@rusnivek

State of Ohio EMA new Joint Information Center class in #SummitCounty #JIC #JIS #PIO #ESF15

Posted on May 5, 2016 by rusnivek

Rolling out the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s new G0291: Joint Information Centers (JIC) / Joint Information System (JIS) Planning for Tribal, state, and Local PIOs. Luckily, we were in the Command and Control room at the Summit County Health Department.

Command Control room…aka DOC

As always, its great teaching with Sister Michael Marie. Outstanding experiences and great stories from her international work in challenging areas of the world.

Even OEMA was checking in on our progress!

#truelove for us Emergency Management Instructors.

Sister Michael showcased the importance of all-hazard PIO involvement in emergency response to a natural hazard.

Everyone was able to share experiences and help each other improve – esp thinking outside the box on various scenarios.

By the end of this in-class activity, our participants realized that there are so many parts to a “simple disaster” that it pays to build partnerships early.

It’s all hands working in an emergency – so build your relationships early before a disaster.

Remember: At 0300, you ugly, you smell, you stink – and clearly that’s not the best time to meet new people and to function in an emergency at 110%.

“As Emergency Management, we must continue to nurture solid working relationships and common response/recovery objectives with our all-hazards partners in public safety.” – @rusnivek

Best part? At the end of the class, they all applauded.

slow-clap

Awwww yeah!

When was the last time a class applauded your Emergency Management NIMS ICS compliant class?

Heh.

As always, it’s great to teach with OEMA Instructor and consummate professional Sister Michael Marie.

There is so much going on in this picture. I can’t even.

I’m just glad to be a part of something big.

@rusnivek

AlohaFriday in my JIC-JIS class

Posted on October 23, 2015 by rusnivek

My Ohio Emergency Management Agency G-291 JIC/JIS PIO class sharing their Aloha spirit for Aloha Friday today at Fairfield County EMA.

See, the Aloha spirit does exist in Ohio.

@rusnivek

G-291 student manual

Posted on October 23, 2015 by rusnivek

G-291: JIS/JIC Planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs

CompleteSM_291FINAL_Oct09-with Cover

Complete G0291ParticipantGuide-v2015

G0291_Student_Manual v-September 2016

@rusnivek

October has the big four: 3-9-5-NCAP #SURINDC

Posted on October 1, 2015 by rusnivek

As National Preparedness Month closes, my October 2015 schedule is going to be very challenging. And as you know, I have to win. Here’s the plan:

First week: I’ll be in Carlisle, Pennsylvania presenting on Social Media in disasters. Pope out, Sur in! Glad to be back in Region-3.

Second week: I’ll be headed back to the Silicon Valley area presenting on social media specifically for large event planning and monitoring (because it’s all about the L right? Wait, it’s all about the 5-0 right?) I also hope to catch up to one of the VIPs at Intel. Since retiring from Emergency Management, his pro career intrigues me – so I believe some synergies could happen. Additionally, I get a chance to brainstorm with an extremely talented colleague from the NWS Sacramento office. I rant about “building relationships before an emergency” so I assure you that I am practicing what I preach. Love love LOVE me some Region-9!

Third week: I’ll be at Fairfield County (Ohio) Emergency Management Agency popping the G-290: Basic Public Information Officers Course and G-291: Joint Information Center / Joint Information System (JIC/JIS) courses. It will definitely be great to see my friend Director Kochis and crews again – back in Region-5.

Fourth week: I’ll be presenting at FEMA HQ in Washington DC on social media. Yep, at the big house. OMG. This is a big presentation. Big. REALLY BIG. While at HQ, I am hoping to catch up with Lumpkins, Kamoie, FEMA’s Digital Engagement Team…and since we’re fresh off the heels of National Preparedness month grabbing a cup of coffee with my besties from ReadyGov and PrepareAthon. Love me some HQ preparedness action! Additionally, I am hoping to grab a few meetings with my friends at the Pentagon and NGA too. Special thanks to US Representative Fudge (OH-11) for some extra time with Congress and a stop at the White House. Yep. The White House. Again. #SURINDC NCAP region!

It’s going to be a challenge month all October long.

Get it.

@rusnivek

DaD for a quick TTE for SM #ESF15 #PIO

Posted on September 30, 2015 by rusnivek

I had a great time with the Northeast Ohio Public Information Officers (NEO-PIOs) who sat for a quick down and dirty (DaD) Table Top Exercise (TTE) designed around on a social media (SM) module (MOD). OMG.

Various topics discussed:

Messaging during the preparedness phase
Escalation of incident criteria
Response messaging and verbiage
Essential platforms and communication methods
Dispelling rumors
Actionable social media data
Critical JIC/JIS positions during initial EOC activation
Metadata for threat hazard analysis

Lots of fun esp various discussions on platforms and reach.

Public Information Specialist @ThingsToShea and Public Information Officer @TomsDarren work to craft specific emergency alert messages in the preparedness phase #NatlPrep

Heavy debate on the use of mass notification systems…

@ClevelandFire Public Information Officer Gray & @LakeCoHealth Public Information Officer Cole collaborating on preparedness messages specifically for Instagram & Vine #NatlPrep

…and their true reach/effectiveness of messaging.

Summit County Public Information Officer @jamesp501 discussing multi-platform information dissemination for preparedness & evacuation #NatlPrep

Discussion on simplicity and concise messaging for those we serve before, during, and after an emergency.

BAM – solid Tuesday afternoon with my peeps!

Yups, I can’t thank these ESF-15 characters enough.

(From L to R): Pollack, Cole, Sur, Gray, and Toms.

Mahalos my friends!

@rusnivek

Friday talks with Ohio EMA leadership

Posted on August 22, 2015 by rusnivek

It was great to spend some time with Ohio EMA leadership yesterday.

Discussion on community resilience, task force deployments, Presidential Declarations, key initiatives, outreach, training, EMAC deployments, stakeholder engagement, public information officer, Emergency Management visibility, social media, Public Assistance, SBA loans, documentation and reimbursements, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Public and Private partnerships…heck-we even touched on the buzz words for 2015: Climate change and Cyber.

For sure, lots of notes!

It is so great to hear OEMA Executive Director Sima Merick passionate about all facets of Emergency Management.

Also got a chance to hang with my Ohio EMA Training and Education peeps Lisa and Susan too. Solid discussion about the upcoming Mass Fatalities course (G-386), PIO Courses (G-290), JIC/JIS Courses (G-291), Intermediate Incident Command courses (ICS-300), and the Recovery from Disasters Course (G-270.4).

Lots of good free stuff upcoming from Ohio EMA!

BTW-If you did a double take on that first picture, yes sir Sur, #AlohaFridays are made for an Aloha shirt. Period. Also a historical note, Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959.

Don’t worry peeps, look closely as I had my Ohio pin on.

Have a great weekend!

@rusnivek