Can’t imagine a better place to be for 2016 National Preparedness Month…than in Washington DC!!!!!
Yep, spending time at HQ shoring a few things up with External Affairs.
Don’t worry, I wore a suit.
My afternoon was spent at the Pentagon.
Great to see old friends there.
Also proud to see Ready.Gov and FEMA External Affairs touting preparedness to peeps who work IN the Pentagon too.
I am fortunate to spend time here with people who are passionate about preparedness.
It’s still the third week of 2016 National Preparedness Month!
Trust me, you don’t need to wait for the earthquakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven (to) shake – just attend a few classes with local emergency management.
Don’t get frustrated…Preparedness is easy!
But seriously.
These classes can help better prepare you for many natural disasters, hazards, and/or common emergencies.
At the very least, they can detail what kind of actions will be taken by first responders in the response phase of the disaster.
In today’s class, we had a spirited discussion about MREs and preparedness kits. Even first responders and their respective families need emergency preparedness kits too.
Most of these short classes or day-long trainings are often free and scheduled well in advance. And if you can’t attend in-person trainings, there are many online classes available for no-cost on preparedness.
Yep, you guessed it, straight up good old networking with so many public safety pros.
Reporting live from SW Ohio…
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Part of being prepared is taking classes with your local public safety professionals.
Hamilton County EMA Emily Lakamp welcoming class
OEMA Instructor Kevin Sur breaking down PPD-5 and PPD-8 for the ICS-300 class
Training is key as we continue to push preparedness efforts throughout the county and state. Learning about capabilities is key in any disaster response.
Ohio EMA Southwest Regional Supervisor Phil Clayton addressing participants today
This afternoon, in the world of tabletop exercise disaster training, we will likely ruin Central City, decimate Columbiana County, and then trash the State of Columbia. Oh yeah, and of course flood Emerald City too.
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Here’s an easy Saturday plan – take a few moments to have your Family Emergency Communications Plan in hard copy, saved on laptop/tablet, and of course on your smart phone enabled device.
By having multiple backup copies of your Family Emergency Communications Plan, you can be assured that during an evacuation, you’ll have instant access to it for use by any member of your family.
Nice work! Now, it’s Saturday! Get out there and have some fun!
But do it safely and responsibly.
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Still the second week of 2016 National Preparedness Month and hey you – I see you!
This week, we are focusing on helping family complete their family emergency communications plan. That’s right – go and help your Grandfather and/or Grandmother out!
Helping everyone in your family can better prepare them for a disaster or emergency.
Be a good Grandson or Granddaughter and help out now. Don’t hesitate.
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Happy National Preparedness month! The focus during this second week is on preparing friends and family for different emergencies.
Showcasing the skills of local first responders are incredibly important to adults AND kids. And sharing important information (like a Family Emergency Communications Plan) with first responders is critical.
National Preparedness Month that promotes creating family emergency communications plans.
Often times, we overlook explaining what actually happens during an emergency.
So take the time to explain to your kids that during an emergency, ALL first responders are there to help. And of course, don’t forget to teach your children to dial 9-1-1.
Reminder: When teaching children to call 9-1-1, do not verbally say “Nine-Eleven” as there is not an eleven button on the phone.
Do it today!
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Seriously, do you memorize all your phone numbers? Chances are, you don’t.
So stop goofing around on this holiday and create your family emergency communications plan here.
For those who have heard me talk about my own plan, I use ubiquitous NIMS ICS-205 form. #NIMS #ICS #FTW
Who’s embracing ICS now?
But seriously, take a few moments to plan for the safety of your family with your Family Emergency Communications Plan.
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Second week of the 2016 National Preparedness Month!
This week, we focus in on your family emergency communications plan.
For parents, click here.
For kids, click here.
For your wallet/purse, click here.
Want to include more information? Consider adding
These are the kinds of details will help enhance your current plans.
Now you are probably wondering why I said to write them down (hard copy). If you lose power to your cell phone, or worse yet, you lose your cell phone during evacuation – you won’t have your programmed address book to reference with all the important contact information and cell phone numbers.
Create your family communications plan now.
More forms can be found on Ready.Gov.
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Another way to increase your preparedness level is to attend various classes with DHS/FEMA leadership.
DHS/FEMA ICPD Director Helen Lowman
Many of them are passionate about preparedness training and can provide some insight to strategic goals and national initiatives. From emergency preparedness kits to supporting the Weather Ready Nation, many have been outspoken champions in the realm of #NatlPrep #Response and #SMEM – whohoo!
Past FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino
Keep learning. Never stop. Sponge it all from Ready.gov
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
I frequently present to Public Information Officers / Public Affairs Officers (PIOs & PAOs) across the country and talk extensively about preparedness.
For those that were wondering about the class attire, many of my classes get scheduled on a Friday aka #AlohaFriday
Proud to say that so many of them love the job and enjoy sharing ways to increase safety in all communities with FEMA’s Ready.Gov Program.
Your local Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management agencies are a great starting point for preparedness activities. Then all state safety agencies and Federal partners cooperate top down with many key organizations across the country.
That’s right. Local works with state works with regional works with national.
Happy #AlohaFriday peeps!
“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Where is @rusnivek? 