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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

My Dad started his Neighborhood Watch Program!

Posted on June 27, 2016 by rusnivek

I’m proud of my Dad who setup his Neighborhood Watch Program.

Dad has been planning this for months now and even posted signs to get everyone involved. Because inviting and talking with the entire neighborhood about safety related topics are the key points of the Neighborhood Watch program. Also, my Dad went big – he blocked off the entire cul-de-sac for his event!

Honolulu Fire Station-30 (Engine-30 & Ladder-30) stopped by to share some safety tips and what to do during an emergency.

Ladder-30 showcased their equipment for everyone to see.

Talked about ventilation saws for trench cuts and vertical cuts for fires.

Also talked about extrication tools and generators for car accidents and confined space rescue.

All the kids in the neighborhood got a chance to try out the headsets used for communications in the apparatus.

Honolulu Police stopped by too.

Even a surprise flyby thanks to Honolulu Fire Air-1 Helicopter.

In the end, this kind of neighborhood program is truly the basis of a safer community.

Education, particularly teaching kids during an emergency, how to call 9-1-1 is crucial to a safe community.

My Dad volunteered to do this. Yep, not paid. Just doing his part to keep his neighborhood and community safe. LOVE IT!

There are many other volunteer programs showcased by DHS/FEMA’s awesome Ready.Gov campaign on safety. Just like my Dad, I volunteer too with my community’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) aka RH-CERT.

Whether you are a part of your own Neighborhood Watch Program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Volunteers in Police Service (ViPS), Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), Fire Corps, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), etc…all of these civic based programs are so important to the fabric for the safety of our community across this great country.

So proud of my Dad!

@rusnivek

I’m in Kentucky to teach y’all!

Posted on June 10, 2016 by rusnivek

I’m in Kentucky to teach y’all!

Glad to see my friend Emory again.

Emory was instrumental in getting training and education for my class at the 2015 Kentucky Governor’s Conference.

2015 Kentucky Governor’s Conference

I’m glad to support everyone in and around Metcalfe County.

BTW, if you were wondering, they prefer their ambulances looking all traditional governmental with orange and white paint scheme.

Great class with lots of questions and social media actions.

And of course, it was Friday so….

#SquadGoals

@rusnivek

Another great Ohio EMA Basic #PIO course at Independence Fire

Posted on June 2, 2016 by rusnivek

Great Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) class with so many brand new Public Information Officers (PIOs).

Special thanks to Fire Chief Steve Rega and Assistant Fire Chief Wheeler and all of Independence Fire for hosting this great all-hazard course.

Oh you know me. Just doing my share reppin Ohio EMA…

…in helping everyone understand EOC Operations and the importance of a Joint Information Center (JIC) that regularly engages on social media.

Additionally, I love pushing the classic Emergency Management mantra of getting everyone to work together BEFORE an incident is a hallmark of sucess.

Bonus, I got to hang with one of my favorite PIOs – Erica Creech (aka Mama PIO)!

I can’t wait to work with so many of you in the near future.

@rusnivek

Welcoming party to EMI

Posted on May 22, 2016 by rusnivek

Maybe this should be the welcoming party for everyone attending the 2016 DHS / FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium.

It’s going to be a great class!

Hope to see you in my class.

@rusnivek

Presenting at the DHS FEMA 2016 National Training & Exercise Symposium

Posted on May 21, 2016 by rusnivek

Heading out to teach at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) this week at the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium.

I am sure other Emergency Managers can attest, EMI is one of the best places to learn and build relationships with other professionals from across the country.

And yes, it is one of my most favorite places to teach.

Just like last year, I’m stoked to be invited to present again and I’m hoping to see a few friends too.

WhereIsRusnivek? Find_Doc? Hmmmmmm

So if you are headed to the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium this week, let me know.

@rusnivek

Day-2 of Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer Course in #SummitCounty

Posted on May 4, 2016 by rusnivek

Second day of the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s Basic Public Information Officer’s Course in Summit County.

Lots of discussion on the changes in public information especially with the use of social media in the 24-hour news cycle. #OMG

We were fortunate enough to hear from WKYC Reporter Jasmine Monroe and Videographer Carl Bachtel (NBC News affiliate) on what the media needs once they arrive on scene. Great insight to breaking news and media notifications.

Special thanks to WKYC’s Jasmine Monroe and Carl Bachtel.

As a class, we reviewed all media interviews and shared positives and points to improve – all geared toward enhancing PIO interview skills.

Reviewing the on camera interview with Twinsburg Lt. Marcus Ketner.

The final activity we broke into various PIO sections. This included an on-camera interview with talking points and bridging.

Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster while Mark Shane handles the videographer duties in the final G0290 classroom activity.

Great way to showcase newly acquired skills!

Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster for the final G0290 classroom activity

At the end of the day, I had a few moments to play our little holiday project aka #CJSavesCLE – just to showcase the power of when PIOs work with local media to make a wish come true for a day.

#CJSavesCLE

Solid day with so many new peeps!

Tomorrow will be G-291 Joint Information Center stuff! #excited

@rusnivek

Instructing the National Emergency Management Executive Academy at FEMA

Posted on April 30, 2016 by rusnivek

Pretty excited to instruct again on Monday at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.

My class is the newer National Emergency Management Academies EM Professional Programs (EMPP) – Executive Academy.

I’m truly honored to be chosen to instruct the National Emergency Management Executive Academy that focuses on Strategic Leadership and Critical Thinking. My part? Crisis Communications, Public Information Officer, and Social Media Exercises.

Sunnies on and pin on point!

I hope to see you in class on Monday!

Totes excited.

@rusnivek

Providing oversight on today’s US DHS and PS Canada International Exercise #Cause4 #CauseIV

Posted on April 27, 2016 by rusnivek

I was requested to support the Department of Homeland Security’s 2016 Science and Technology Cause-4 International Exercise between the United States and Canada today.

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Public Safety Canada. Yep-international baby!!!!!

But crossing borders is more difficult than you think – esp when dealing with patient privacy, tactical operations, and coordinating efforts amongst ultra type-A personalities.

This is why training and exercising is so crucial to agencies who want to make a different in their communities they serve. This is also why Emergency Management is ideally a solid coordinating entity for this type of response.

In this particular international exercise, emergency response agencies are testing EMS response, transport information, sharing actionable data, social media, and a whole lots others stuff.