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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals

Posted on June 8, 2018 by rusnivek

Starting game-4 of the 2018 NBA Finals in Cleveland, Ohio-

That’s right, let’s get some IAP action on for the Cleveland Cavaliers vs the Golden State Warriors!

Like all good Emergency Management actions – all briefings done and documents like the comprehensive IAP helps bring everyone together on the same operational plan.

As field PIOs, we are out and about during the game.

Half time inside FanFest was quite busy.

Lots of interesting people out and about.

Glad to see so many Cleveland Cavaliers’ fans out here to support the home team.

Even ran into a few media folks from California as well as locals who were out supporting the teams too.

Sur and Livingston

In the end, the final outcome of the game was not so fun…

…but incredibly proud to work with so many all-hazards partners in public safety for the end of the 2018 NBA Finals.

Glad to be supporting solid professionals.

Bob, dance us out of the EOC will ya?!?

See you in 2019!

@rusnivek

The 2018 Hurricane VTC at FEMA HQ in the NRCC

Posted on May 30, 2018 by rusnivek

Making the hop to Washington DC.

Fun day ahead as we kickoff 2018 Hurricane season with a national VTC at FEMA HQ.

In the National Response Coordination Center, the same place where we brief our partners from across the nation during critical events, emergencies, and/or disasters.

Introductions by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long.

Additional information provided from USNORTHCOM/NORAD Commander General Terrence O’Shaughnessy, Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Dr. Neil Jacobs, and the National Hurricane Center/NOAA Director Kenneth Graham with a brief outlook for the 2018 Hurricane season.

We heard briefings from Region-4, Region-1, Region-2, Region-3, Region-6, and Region-9 on testing communications capabilities across state/region and hurricane shortfalls from 2017 and last-mile logistical capability.

Look closely, we had the White House jump in on the call too.

Special call-ins from the State of Maryland Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA) Executive Director Russell Strickland who was calling in from catastrophic flooded Ellicott City, Maryland.

Great to see so many partners providing insight into their programs.

Their pre-existing relationships for local, state, and Federal partnerships will enhance the response and recovery piece for any area affected by hurricanes.

Special shout out to FEMA IGA Ryan Streeter who was deployed with me during Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys.

Working the magic for IGA today. Glad to be part of the team.

Also glad to see Gloria, Nicole, Kia, Al, and Sarah today too.

@rusnivek

Kicking off 2018 #Hurricane season this Wednesday with DHS Secretary Nielsen and FEMA Administrator Long

Posted on May 29, 2018 by rusnivek

Kicking off 2018 #Hurricane season this Wednesday with Department of Homeland Security (@DHSgov) Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and Federal Emergency Management Agency (@FEMA) Administrator Brock Long (@FEMA_Brock).

@rusnivek

Instagram changing the algorithm from likes and share to a more timely feed #SMEM

Posted on March 22, 2018 by rusnivek

Thank goodness! Instagram decided to make a major change today in their algorithm.

Yeeeeeeppppp, they are reverting back to a more timely feed for users – just press the “New Posts” button. Basically push to prioritize newer posts over older aggregated Instagram posts.

As Instagram cites backlash, I mean feedback from it’s users. “Thanks to feedback” – yeah yeah.

So what does that mean for you?

With the most recent backlash on Facebook (citing the #DeleteFacebook trend), agencies should be making a stronger effort on Instagram.
Instagram will likely have a more “true-er” feel than Facebook’s less than 10% showing to your unpaid targeted audience.
Instagram is easier as it has less gobble-de-gook for it’s users.
Instagram is also more complex because it has less clutter for it’s users.
Either way, this change in algorithm from Instagram is a welcome update/refresh to the Gram.

Now about dem hashtags….

@rusnivek

Check out these #Ohio EM Pros at class this week

Posted on March 20, 2018 by rusnivek

Check out these #Ohio EM Pros at class this week at the mothership!

On the steps of the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency in Cbus!

@rusnivek

A little love from the USVI

Posted on February 27, 2018 by rusnivek

Awww! A little USVI love came in the mail today.

Mahalos to everyone in the United States Virgin Islands!

@rusnivek

Day-1 of the OhioEMA Basic #PIO class in Summit County

Posted on February 20, 2018 by rusnivek

Packed house as we start another Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer Course in Summit County, Ohio!

Special thanks to Jena and all the pros at Summit County Emergency Management Agency.

Great diverse crowd from various backgrounds allow us to have wide discussions on topics. With so many disciplines represented, we had a deep dive into lots of classroom tabletop activities for PIOs.

Remember, its our job to align ourselves with those SMART Objectives, then analyze our audiences, then write specific messaging to our targets audiences.

Easy peasy right? In person classes like the Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery as well as Social Media Tools & Techniques. And of course don’t forget all those fun online FEMA Independent Study classes too. (all classes are no cost)

And of course we did the oncamera PIO interviews today. Staple of our class!

Last part of the day, we hit the social media section hard cause we talked a ton about case studies highlighting success stories and pitfalls in social media use. And of course, don’t forget to get #slizzerd

Tweet responsibly peeps!

Reporting live from Summit County…

@rusnivek

Day-3 of the APIO course with the Master PIOs at FEMA’s EMI

Posted on February 14, 2018 by rusnivek

Day-3 of the Advanced PIO course and today, we see some structure!

No doubt there was going to be some stuff on ICS forms because we got some…

…ICS-215s forms for the win!

And of course more interviews because evacuation and shelter information is super important. So bring on the interviews!

And yes, it’s not easy being green!

BTW-human with pet sheltering is totes important so make sure you know exactly what kind of message you want to pass on.

Lots of work on camera esp focusing in on joint press conferences…

…and of course solid reporter questions too.

#WeWearPinkOnWednesdays

At the end of the class, MPIOs initiated a panel discussion with Rita and I on public information.

PC: Joe

Yep, an unfiltered look into PIO stuff for anyone. We as PIOs should not remain silent.

I am convinced that we are to share knowledge and enhance other PIO’s skills. Because “a rising tide raises all ships” right?

Reporting live from the External Affairs side of the house at the Emergency Management Institute…

@rusnivek

Day-1 of the Advanced PIO class at FEMA’s EMI! #MPIO

Posted on February 12, 2018 by rusnivek

Starting out the Advanced PIO class week with the big cheese – a warm EMI welcome from the new FEMA EMI Deputy Superintendent Steve Heidecker!

My buddy!

Phil laying down the usual ground rules like…

Don’t look for Camp David.
Don’t open windows.
Don’t touch helos.
Don’t break anything.

And yes, today, I was fortunate enough to introduce my favorite Indianapolis Fire Department Batt Chief/PIO Extraordinaire….Ladies and Gents….put your hands together for BC Rita Reith!!!!!

Glad to see so many of my former students come here to FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute for more training. And they get to hear my same PIO instructor jokes again.

PC: Cody McDonell

And great to meet so many of online peeps for the very first time aka #IRL. Yes of course there will be lots of tweeting and #hastagging going on this week.