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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Brand new FEMA Region V COOP class Day-1

Posted on April 25, 2019 by rusnivek

Kicking off the new FEMA Region 5 Continuity of Operations class here at the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Proud to have Northwestern Medicine’s Continuity Manager Sam Boyle and DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Operations Supervisor Joe Joseph with us to share some of the changes with FCD-1, FCD-2, CC-1, HSPD5, PPD-8, NSPD-51, HSPD-20, and of course the NIMS update.

Mid-day discussion with Joe on the Continuity planning process with the new FEMA course materials for COOP focused around essential functions.

Look at those smiles!

All made to enhance the skills of our public safety partners.

Shout out to all the leadership and participants who took the time away from their desks to enhance their program’s ability to function beyond catastrophic incidents.

Also, for those that were paying attention on the day? Is it really the perfect date?

Hmmmm…

Boom.

COOP? Operations? Social Media? Public Information? Pop culture? Everything is a calculated because even in a FEMA class, we don’t miss a beat!

Welcome to my program. This is how we do things at our house.

@rusnivek

Don’t keep your family in the dark about your plans! #NatlPrep

Posted on September 13, 2017 by rusnivek

Help your family prepare well before an emergency like simple tools like flashlights.

Don’t leave your family in the dark! #PlanAhead by purchasing flashlights early. Last minute run to the store will yield nothing. #NatlPrep

Make sure your family has all the tools they need to weather the storm or emergency (<–see what I did there?)

Be the beacon of light in your family on preparedness.

@rusnivek

A great additional flashlight for disasters #NatlPrep #PlanAhead

Posted on September 6, 2017 by rusnivek

Flashlights (not just flashlight) are key components of your preparedness kit. But there are soooooo many kinds of flashlights to choose from. Keep in mind that handheld ones are important, but headlamps are AWESOME!

Headlamps are GREAT flashlights too bec they allow hands-free operation when gathering things to safely evacuate #NatlPrep

Planning with items like this is a great way to bring light to a dark situation. Yes, pun intended. Hands free makes life easier…esp in a disaster.

When writing up your families’ preparedness plan, don’t forget to include flashlights and a rugged headlamp!

@rusnivek

Wipers on = Lights on! 2017 #National #Severe #Weather #Preparedness

Posted on March 20, 2017 by rusnivek

2017 National Severe Weather Preparedness week.

As we start to experience more rain (April showers) – we need to constantly remind people – IF YOUR WIPERS ARE ON, TURN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON!

Can you identify which vehicle doesn’t have their headlights on? Kinda hard to spot huh?

Despite daytime on a gloomy day, I think people just forget to turn their headlights on.

Consider using this safety meme whenever it rains.

Trust me, it’s free.

Every state is different so check your state and local laws. Or just turn them on whenever you turn your windshield wipers on.

More free severe weather safety tips this week…

@rusnivek

5 easy tips for a safe 2016 Halloween night #TrickOrTreat #boo

Posted on October 31, 2016 by rusnivek

Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

Here are a few tips to make sure your little trick-or-treaters are out safe:

1. Make sure everyone can easily see out of their costumes.

Costume safety!

Cuts and bruises are quick ways to ruin a fun Halloween night.

2. Consult your local jurisdictions (AHJ) on approved times for trick-or-treating.

Trick-or-Treat!

Never want to show up at someone’s house unexpectedly.

3. Make sure everyone has a flashlight or glow sticks.

See and be seen

While driving, it’s hard to see people at night so the more visible you can make everyone, the better.

4. There are chemicals inside those glow sticks – DO NOT let the kiddos chew on them.

Pop – ewwwwwww!

Whoa.

5. Most of all, have fun!

Elsa and Anna with Arendelle’s Royal Chefs

It’s great time to be out with your kids.

Have a safe trick-or-treating night!

@rusnivek

Statewide tornado siren test today at 0950. Find out what to do here #OHWX

Posted on March 5, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s 2014 National Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 2nd through March 8th.

Today, the state of Ohio will be testing all emergency alert sirens at 9:50 a.m.

***Do not be alarmed, it is only a test.***

It would also be a good time to practice your emergency procedures if a tornado siren/warning goes off.

Do you know the differences between a Tornado Watch vs a Tornado Warning?

Tornado Watch: Issued by the NWS when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Be prepared to move to a safe place if weather conditions worsen. Stay tuned to weather updates.

Tornado Warning: Issued by the NWS when a tornado is imminent or occurring. A warning may be issued when a tornado is indicated by Doppler radar or sighted by trained spotters. Seek safe shelter immediately.

If a tornado has been spotted, seek shelter immediately. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, do not stop to take pictures or shoot video. Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local media newscasts for up-to-date weather and emergency information.
NEVER touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed power lines and report electrical hazards to the utility company.
Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Be careful of debris such as damaged structures, exposed nails and broken glass.

Stay safe out there peeps!

@rusnivek

Do not break the law while driving in severe weather #OHWX

Posted on March 4, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s 2014 National Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 2nd through March 8th.

Driving during severe weather? It doesn’t matter whether day or night – Do you have your headlights on?

Ohio Revised Code 4513.03 Time for lighted lights on motor vehicles.

(A) Every vehicle, other than a motorized bicycle, operated upon a street or highway within this state shall display lighted lights and illuminating devices as required by sections 4513.04 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code during all of the following times:

(1) The time from sunset to sunrise;

(2) At any other time when, due to insufficient natural light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons, vehicles, and substantial objects on the highway are not discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead;

(3) At any time when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of precipitation on the windshield.

Remember, during severe weather, drive slowly peeps!

@rusnivek

Lights and sirens behind you…Do you know what to do?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by rusnivek

Lights and sirens behind you…Do you know what to do?

@rusnivek

Free safety tips for all your Halloween shenanigans …I mean fun #trickortreat

Posted on October 30, 2013 by rusnivek

Halloween is here in NE Ohio, and safety is still the most important part of the Halloween operation.

To aid in your shenanigans I mean Halloween activities, here are some tips for you and your family to use during trick-or-treat fun:

Check your local newspaper, municipality’s website, or social media feed to get updates on times for trick-or-treating.
Make sure you have several working flashlight and so that everyone traveling in your party can be seen.
Only visit houses with porch lights that are turned on.
Be vigilant while crossing the street – look both ways before you cross and ALWAYS company children.
Stay in groups and keep an eye out for each other while trick-or-treating.
Hopefully your costumes are bright and reflective. If not, consider affixing reflective stickers or buttons to your costume to make you more visible to motorists.
Your costumes accessories should be made from soft pliable materials.
Do not eat any candy until you return home to your parents.
All parents should inspect and review all candy collected before allowing children to consume.
Discard any candy that show signs of tampering and throw away any candy that is not sealed or in the original packaging.
After you eat a ton of candy, don’t forget to brush your teeth.

If you are driving this Halloween season, DRIVE SLOWLY! Never text while driving – it is a distraction and likely illegal in many cities. Children will be out and about – so keep a sharp eye for everyone on the street.

Hope you have a fun Halloween this year.

@rusnivek