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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding

Posted on August 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.

I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.

Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).

Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.

IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.

Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.

@rusnivek

Precise Emergency Messaging Safety-PIO-SM-14-002

Posted on August 1, 2014 by rusnivek

14-002: Precise Emergency Messaging
Agency: Indianapolis Motor Speedway	Topic(s): Emergency Messaging
Date: Summer 2014	Platform: General

Mass notification and public messaging about dangerous inbound weather is the latest hot button topic in emergency management because no matter the location, everyone is susceptible. This year has been especially deadly with numerous tornadoes.

You can argue the use of automatic Emergency Alert System (EAS), Integrated Public Alert & Warning System’s (iPAWS) messages, and public address systems are good enough, but successful delivery still comes down to basic messaging.

On May 25, 2014, this message was put up on the main billboard on the field during the Indianapolis 500, which had 300,000+ fans during race time. The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a Tornado Warning before the start of the race.

Race Fans? C’mon, you have a captive audience at the motor speedway. And you are addressing everyone there, not just race fans. Most likely, your audience is saying “Great, now what is a Tornado Warning?”

Clear and concise messaging is incredibly important because seconds will matter in an immediate evacuation or leading others to shelter…especially with large, open, and unprotected public venues. This particular message was unclear, poorly worded, and definitely not concise.

A more effective messaging and follow-up post should have read:

DANGER! TORNADO WARNING NOW – SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!

Safe SHELTERS are located at AREA X and GATE X

By phrasing it this way:

1. Your message is short, sweet, and to the point.

2. Capital letters will grab the attention of your audience and convey urgency.

3. Have clearly identified safe locations IN CAPITAL LETTERS will assist those reading your message.

4. Shorter messaging could allow your followers to retweet/repost and amplify your emergency messaging.

5. It is still tornado season so make sure you are prepared by having pre-scripted messages on “what is a tornado warning” and messaging on how to “shelter-in-place”.

All concurrent Tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram posts, etc. should reflect this messaging. If a Tornado warning is issued, timing is of the essence. Do not be lax when it comes to emergency messaging because you don’t want to ruin the fun. For the sake of your constituents, it is better to error on the side of safety.

Time is valuable, so post good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: Safety-PIO-SM-14-001

SM as tool for intel for a few Federal programs

Posted on July 28, 2014 by rusnivek

Great meeting this afternoon with the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security Bi0Watch program today in the DC area.

I look forward to having more interaction for the conference calls, national conferences, and closed-door workshops showcasing the use of social media as one facet of on intelligence gathering and preparedness information dissemination.

Looking forward to seeing some of you folks later this year!

Special mahalos to Monique for intros.

@rusnivek

Soooo, I’ll be in Washington DC next week…

Posted on July 25, 2014 by rusnivek

A quick update on next week’s trip to Washington DC aka my official invite to the White House…

I have been invited by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and The National Security Council (NSC) to attend the White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014. Workshops in the morning and the event in the afternoon (Social Media, User-Centered Designs, and Predictive Analytics).

Additionally, I’ll be taking in a few other meetings with response and preparedness agencies including DoD, DHS, and FEMA. Alphabet soup gang huh?

Am I nervous? Yep. I’m just hoping I don’t throw up on important people.

I’m totes excited.

Suit up!

…

Event: White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014

This event will bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, and members of the disaster response community to showcase tools that will make a tangible impact in the lives of survivors of large-scale emergencies. The White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative was first launched by the Administration in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to find the most effective ways technology can empower survivors, first responders, and local, state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government with critical information and resources.

Quick trip to DC?

Posted on July 15, 2014 by rusnivek

Breaking news…..

Whoa-did I just get invited to the White House?

Never done this before….More to come.

@rusnivek

#RNC2016 vs LeBron

Posted on July 8, 2014 by rusnivek

Now who makes bigger news today: Republican National Convention in 2016 or LeBron James announcement?

#RNC2016 #CLE #RNC2CLE #TheDecision #Decision

@rusnivek

Its #EMSWeek2014 – We need your help in roadway safety #Paramedic #EMT #Firefighter

Posted on May 23, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Stressing safety to everyone is an important part of our job.

We are seeing more car crashes due to distracted driving. Put down your phone and pay attention to the road. As emergency responders, I would hate to meet you for the first time like this…

Worse yet, we don’t want to get hit.

Distracted driving can injure and kill. Remember, don’t text and drive.

Please, share this message with others and stress the importance of roadway safety.

And again, thank all your first responders for their dedicated service.

@rusnivek

By ground or by air, EMS does it all #EMSWeek2014

Posted on May 21, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Did you know EMS uses many different vehicles/apparatus?

By ground or by air, Emergency Medical Services Professionals care for the sick and injured in so many different ways.

Thank all your first responders for their dedicated service.

@rusnivek

DYK – many Firefighters are also Paramedics too? #EMSWeek2014

Posted on May 21, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Did you know many Firefighters are also Paramedics? Thank your first responders for their dedicated service.

Thank your first responders for their dedicated service.

@rusnivek

Thank all of your EMS Professionals this week #EMSWeek 2014 #EMS #EMSWeek2014

Posted on May 19, 2014 by rusnivek

Celebrate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week on May 18^th – 24^th 2014. Numerous communities across the nation, as well as several national events are planned around this year’s theme “EMS: Dedicated for Life.”

EMS-Week-Header

Thank all of your Emergency Medical Services Professionals this week. During any crisis or disaster or everyday emergency, these men and women bring emergency care to anyone in need.

Just in 2014 alone, we’ve had numerous school shootings, tornados hit several southern states, a landslide in Washington, wildfires in California, and flooding in Florida. EMS professionals work tirelessly day-in/day-out to assist and support others who are sick or injured. At every call, EMS treats and transports people in their most critical times of need 24-hour a day – dedication, professionalism and commitment.

Each year EMS Week honors the contributions of EMS Professionals throughout the country and stresses the need and importance of strong public support for all our EMS Providers.

Happy National Emergency Medical Services Week!

@rusnivek