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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

Posted on August 14, 2015 by rusnivek

I popped back-to-back-to-back social media classes last week in Sacramento, California.

Participants from all over the west coast attended. Specifically for Thursday and Friday, FEMA reviewed our new curriculum courses. Yep, straight up evaluation. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Ongoing for course design, I will make a few more additions/changes before courses are sent to the National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) for certification. Hoping for final approval in November 2015. Hope to hear the magical words “Federally published” as my course is listed in the DHS / FEMA Training catalog. Whoa Nellie!

For the classes? We had great interaction from all participants.

Solid discussions during the breakout sessions included professionals from all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) as well as experts from the National Weather Service (NWS), Critical Infrastructure, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), etc… Diverse groups make for the best discussions for sure!

As part of our continued efforts in Emergency Management, it is imperative that we address issues from the All-Hazards approach and incorporate the support of our stakeholders in solutions.

With heavy discussion, class participants had a great time engaging with others and using tools/techniques that are specific to the Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Directorates. Obviously, I showcased the importance of a good Public Information Officer (PIO) / Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and how their interaction in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) is imperative to a successful emergency or disaster.

Also, starting to build an online learning library that can be easily accessed from anywhere using the #NDPTC is always good reference. Free. My favorite F-word.

Special mahalos to fellow Instructors Cheryl and MaryJo in the delivery of these courses.

Also the solid smiles from fellow #SMEM Jennifer and Scott was crucial support on this delivery.

Glad to be working with partners like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Truly great to see everyone working collaboratively. Thanks to the Sacramento County Emergency Management for hosting these courses.

Looking forward to the next class at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conference in Clark County, Nevada. See you there!

@rusnivek

Most nervous for my August 2015

Posted on August 1, 2015 by rusnivek

Since July was almost all planning, August will be almost all operations.

First week: I’ll be headed to FEMA Region-9 Sacramento to deliver and (hope to) certify the brand new FEMA/NDPTC Social Media presentations at the State of California’s Emergency Operations Center. This is a huge project that I have been working on in conjunction with NDPTC development and FEMA course designers. During these classes, a panel of Federal types will be evaluating…aka totes judging it. Yikes. Why am I so nervous? It’s my presentation. I created it. I designed it. It’s all me. I better not eff this up. As you know, I’m pretty passionate about my work so for sure I’m excited, but still WAY NERVOUS (rubbing my ears, whispering “FEMA-NTED-CATALOG-AUTHORED”).

Second week: I might be curled in the fetal position…most likely finalizing the California updates from the FEMA evaluation.

Third week: I’ll be doing some advanced tactical rifle “stuff” with the lads from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As the pros say, PEW-PEW-PEW!

Fourth week: I’ll be doing my civic duty as I serve my county for jury duty. Yikes.

And the Fifth week: I’ll be headed back to OEMA in Columbus for an Advanced Event Planning Course. Hmmm, do you know of any big events upcoming in 2016?

Overall, this will likely be the most challenging month ever because of the FEMA review/certification. Gah! I hope all goes well.

I gotta go throw up now. #nervous

@rusnivek

Are you violating Facebook’s Terms of Service? Safety-PIO-SM-15-004

Posted on July 31, 2015 by rusnivek

15-004: Are you violating Facebook’s Terms of Service?
Agency: Various public safety agencies	Topic(s): Facebook organization page
Date: 07-31-15	Platform: Facebook

Facebook has a wide audience and many public safety agencies have taken to Facebook to promote their efforts. However, many agencies have created the wrong type of account on Facebook.

By creating your agency’s page as a person on Facebook, you are violating Facebook’s terms of service. And if you are going to ask, Facebook administration has the right to immediately delete everything. Yikes.

By registering your agency as an ORGANIZATIONAL PAGE, you can take advantage of Facebook’s analytics. This information is incredibly valuable as you evaluate who, what, at what time, and most importantly the how and why they are searching/visiting your agency’s organizational page.

Facebook readily asks if you know people and displays their basic account information. Facebook’s goal is to increase your networks by showcasing people that are similar to you. If you happen to see one of your neighboring public safety agencies who may have incorrectly registered a Facebook personal account, take the time to inform them on changing their account from a personal page to an organizational page.

Likes? As an organization, can I like other pages? Yes, as an organizational page, you can like other agencies too. Through Facebook likes, you can showcase to your trusted network of similar public safety agencies.

Remember, social media is about how you can amplify your networks and positively engage your constituents. We are constantly strengthening our relationships with similar groups – all in the name of safety.

Look, we all need to be good stewards of our public safety brand. All Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) need to constantly support each other and help agencies who need some social media guidance.

By double checking your agency and your partner agencies.

You can be compliant with Facebook’s Terms of Service agreement.
You can ascertain detailed visitor demographics free from Facebook’s organizational analytical information.

Time is valuable, so post good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-004-PersonalOrOrganizationalOnFacebook

Bioterrorism discussion at IIT in Chicago

Posted on July 28, 2015 by rusnivek

This past weekend, I was invited to swing by the Illinois Institute of Technology Graduate School in downtown Chicago.

Spirited discussion included bioterrorism, social media data/intelligence, explosives, nuc/rad release, mass panic/evacuation, and of course drone operations for large events.

Participants included many members of Chicago Police’s upper administration and leadership from Chicago Police specialty teams.

They asked Dr. Fagel if I was a Special Agent kinda guy. Clearly, my Aloha shirt on a Saturday really messed things up.

Overall, it was a great day to be in downtown Chicago.

Looking forward to sharing some SME knowledge with the graduate students this fall.

@rusnivek

Press credentials discussed

Posted on July 22, 2015 by rusnivek

We talked a little about press credentials last week in our Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) class. Here’s an example of Chicago’s press creds.

(Some of you may remember Erin Kennedy from WKYC 3 here in Cleveland).

PIO Pro Tip: Build trusted relationships w/ the media prior to an incident.

@rusnivek

Breaking search news…I mean Insta News

Posted on July 21, 2015 by rusnivek

Breaking news…I mean Insta News.

Instagram now has a search bar function on their web platform.

This means you can search for accounts, hashtags, terms, etc….from the search bar on top of their web platform. Also makes it easier for those that serve (in an analyst role) to find stuff.

Similar functions currently do exist on Facebook and Twitter.

This is just another tool that we can use to better improve our Insta skillz. Yep, that’s your skillz with a Z.

Time is short, so Gram good stuff.

@rusnivek

640 Insta -> 1080 Insta #Instagram

Posted on July 7, 2015 by rusnivek

Instagram just announced that it will go from 640×640 picture posts now to 1080 x 1080 picture posts.

This is most likely attributed to mobile hardware improvements since 2010 and camera phones now take excellent pictures. So to meet the new uploads and higher quality standards, Instagram changed their programming to allow users to include more.

So what does all that gobbledygook actually mean for the Instagrammer?

Before you could only post this type of image with marginal clarity (640 resolution).

Now, you can post this with better quality and better clarity (1080 resolution).

Bigger picture at a standard 1080 resolution, better clarity, and a much better story platform for your audience.

Picture border? Still square.

Time is short, so Gram good stuff.

@rusnivek

Safety-PIO-SM-15-003: More than just a link please

Posted on June 26, 2015 by rusnivek

15-003: More than just a hyperlink please
Agency: Otsego Fire	Topic(s): Tweets and cross posting
Date: 06-26-15	Platform: Twitter

It’s hard to find time to put effort in your 140-character tweets. However, a short description/picture will help drive more interest. Otsego Fire is clearly driving traffic to their Facebook organizational page which has some good content. But their paired cross-postings on Twitter from Facebook lacks because it looks plain and almost spammish.

Occasionally, you can post just the hyperlink, but in general, many users will want to know more about the link they are about to click through. Also a picture would help verify that the twitter account hasn’t been hacked by a bot or another nefarious group.

If the user decided to search back in the history of the account, they would see that previous posts from OFD all look similar. Nothing exciting. Remember, social media is a very visual engaging platform that should be a real-time exciting experience for the social media user. Consider posting an image to accompany your posts too.

Many PIOs believe that cross posting on various social media platforms is irresponsible.

“In my humble opinion, we talk very differently on Facebook.”

“IMHO @rusnivek txt V diff on Twittr. #OMG #WTF#TRUTH”

Different platforms force you to be a better writer. Even if it’s not your own original message, craft and tailor a specific message to your audience identifying and show how it pertains to your activities. Since this tweet (and previous tweets) have no identifying descriptors, users are likely not to click on the tweeted plain link(s). Maybe retooling the tweet with: “O-Town Mud Volleyball registration is now open. Ready to get dirty? <insert FB link here>” To increase interest, I would also include this picture of the volleyball tournament with OFD’s Engine in background.

Communicating on different platforms allow us to reach different audiences. As a professional following your strategic communications plan, you owe it to your constituents to address your specific audiences on each of your identified social media platforms.

By enhancing the tweet this way:

1. Any verbiage and image in your tweet will help readers click through the link in the tweet.

2. You include your own personal message about the upcoming event.

3. You craft messages specific to your audiences on Facebook vs Twitter vs any other social media platforms.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-003

Another brand new social media engagement presentation at FSU

Posted on June 19, 2015 by rusnivek

Also had a chance to be one of the first instructors to deliver the new social media engagement presentation for FEMA/NDPTC.

Florida State University uses social media heavily to engage and inform their entire student body, faculty, as well as alumni of events ongoing on campus at Tallahassee.

FSU have a great social media presence. Consider following them @KeepFSUSafe @FSUAlerts @FloridaState #LifeAtFSU

Not only on a computer but from various mobile platforms and public warning systems too! Well done FSU!

A very special thanks to my awesome co-instructor Jennifer aka call sign: “other”.

Such a great adventure! Very proud of the work I’ve been assigned.

Reporting live from FEMA Region-4!

@rusnivek

Created and designed and now piloting the new SM

Posted on June 18, 2015 by rusnivek

I rolled out my new FEMA presentation for FEMA Region-4 peeps at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.

At this time, this course is the semi-final pilot so I’m almost there!

Obvs, I had to incorporate a great preparedness campaign from my friends at the CDC. Have you heard of their preparedness campaign before? It costed the CDC a killer $87 (Get it? I’m so punny).

How about them Zombies?

Classroom activities make it easier for our all-hazards partners to come up with good messaging during preparedness, response, and recovery.

Shared experiences and open discussion amongst public safety providers allows for solid social media solutions to be developed for many common issues.

Participants use various hardware and software platforms to complete each assigned performance-based task. This showcases the spectrum of social media that spans hardware and software differences.

Final will be presented for certification in August in FEMA Region-9 at the State of California Emergency Operations Center located in Sacramento.

So nervous! But seriously, I’m so excited for this project, I can’t even…

@rusnivek