Extolling the virtues of new social media stuff today! #NDPTC

Posted on June 16, 2015 by rusnivek

Extolling the virtues of new social media stuff today!

Semi-final pilot for this new FEMA course.

Reporting live from Florida State University in FEMA Region-4 #NDPTC

@rusnivek

A little Aloha in South Dakota!

Posted on June 12, 2015 by rusnivek

Bringing a little Aloha to South Dakota – great class today at Pennington County Emergency Management Agency.

Now use your SM/PIO skills for good!

Looking forward to today’s class.

@rusnivek

PIO/SM class is in full swing in frozen Ashtabula

Posted on February 20, 2015 by rusnivek

Despite the cold temps, PIO/SM class is in full swing in Ashtabula County Emergency Management.

Nothing gets in the way of solid training.

@rusnivek

Teaching in the State of Ohio EOC today

Posted on February 19, 2015 by rusnivek

Good to have Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) Assistant Director Sima Merick and OEMA Deputy Director Russ Decker welcome our PIO/SM class today at the state EOC.

After lunch, OEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) Jay Carey brief our attending PIOs here in the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Working the PIO magic!

@rusnivek

Teaching at the Hamilton County EOC aka ROC #Cinci

Posted on February 18, 2015 by rusnivek

I had a GREAT time at the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center aka the ROC.

Much mahalos to Barry and his crews for the hospitality.

Looking forward to returning in about a month to debut a new FEMA project.

@rusnivek

Safety-PIO-SM 15-002: Tornado or ICBM launch? #Instagram

Posted on February 13, 2015 by rusnivek

15-002: Tornado or ICBM launch?
Agency: ReadyOC	Topic(s): Picture and hashtag use
Date: 02-13-15	Platform: Instagram

Pictures are such an important part of every social media post. Instagram is mainly based on pictures and hashtags to engage all users. This was evident when Orange County’s Emergency Preparedness team posted this on their Instagram feed.

To the untrained eye, it does seem like a severe microstorm/cloud/tornado. However, the picture shows a launch of a rocket pulled from google images or desktop computer wallpaper. Furthermore, this post could also be misconstrewed as a missile/ICBM launch or an attack on US soil.

Finding original content is tough, but professionals take the time to discern the little details in the pictures to showcase the safety theme and share actionable information. It is our duty to correctly inform the public on dangers that we encounter. We also must strive to provide actionable information with our engagement digital strategies.

If ReadyOC used the correct picture of a tornado, adding safety tips to the post (like those featured below) could have enhanced their theme.

“Monitor weather reports provided by your local media. #NWS #NOAA #Tornado #Prepared2015”

“If there is a power outage, have extra batteries for a battery-operated radio and your cell phone including your cell phone charger #Tornado #Prepared2015”

“Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio/All Hazards receiver, which receives broadcast alerts directly from the National Weather Service #NWS #Tornado #Prepared2015”

Right now, the hashtag #photography is unnecessary because it doesn’t relate to the post. Remember social media, especially Instagram, is a visual medium. Your reader’s Instagram feed space is at a premium.

By laying it out this way:

The correct picture will draw readers into the picture and (possibly) click the link in the profile.
You don’t cause panic by showcasing a missile launch and calling it an #emergency.
You incorporate a preparedness action phrase to your audience for #tornado safety on Instagram
You use Instagram’s prime digital real estate to share good hashtags to find great information.

Time is valuable, so gram good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-002-TornadoOrICBMLaunch