In efforts to best serve the communities that were hardest hit by Hurricane Irma, we (FEMA) moved the Marathon Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to a new location
As you guessed it, this new DRC has much easier access to the highway.
6805 Overseas Highway in Marathon, Florida
Stop on by to update your records and/or check on your status for disaster assistance.
Reporting live from the new DRC location in Marathon…
While out today, I will be testing some new 5.11 Tactical gear.
These are the 5.11 Tactical XPRT Series pants.
I only have 16 pockets on my pants…therefore, I have already misplaced a few items.
Don’t forget, Cleveland Marathon tomorrow (Sunday 05-21-17).
Starting off this morning teaching my most favorite advanced class…
Social Media Tools & Techniques!
Lots of things to share and showcase in the Public Information Officer (PIO) and ESF-15: External Affairs realm.
Social Media tools including several Augmented Reality apps that use pre-existing hardware that could be useful for any operational and tactical operations.
Additionally many Emergency Operations Center across the country could use these technologies to augment their response and increase their situational awareness / common operating picture (SA/COP).
Great to work with so many pros who are willing to contribute to the All-hazards response.
We ran through a few crisis communications exercises activities utilizing the new social media tools we showcased.
Great conversation with participants from across Idaho and Washington.
Glad to see creative minds formulating emergency communications plans for the preparedness and response phase..
Special thanks to Ada County Emergency Management and EM Director Joe for their hospitality.
Special thanks to @AdaCountyEM Social Media Coordinator Myla for help in the EOC too. #Spectacles
Many mahalos to all my new peeps from across Idaho and FEMA Region 10.
Now use your new social media powers for good!
In 2017, I vowed to try a few new things.
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen – the continuous improvement of work efforts and personal efficiency, I decided that I take a few moments each week to do some meditation.
I don’t need to bang any gongs or burn any incense. (<–cause that would be a fire hazard). I just figured firming up my position might help a bit to refocus on priorities.
What brought all this? It was really my visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
In my humble opinion (IMHO), one of the most spectacular places to visit.
Many parts make up the sum. Aside from rainfall, the sounds of calm override most.
With my meditation, these things help too.
Let’s see how this goes.
I am honored to bring a brand new social media course out: FEMA/NDPTC Social Media Engagement Strategies
This particular social media course has been under development for the past few years. With it’s first delivery in the Pacific NW in 2015. But the best part is today’s course is in Colorado!
At the heart of FEMA Region 8 – these peeps know their stuff.
State of Colorado PIO Micki Trost welcoming all the participants in the class.
Many of the PIOs in class today are from almost all ESFs including a strong contingent from ESF-01: Transportation!
Great partnerships with local, state, Federal partners, and DoD representatives in class today.
I also got a chance to share my field deployable PIO Kit (aka my man bag / man purse / European carry all)
Great discussion on social media and how to increase engagement on various platforms including Slackk, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Musicaly, SoundFile, and of course a few tips on how to have a corrrdinated approach to dissemination of information to external partners as well as internal employees. Remember, all internal employees (if they consent) could be brand ambassadors of their agency.
Active in class discussion as well as spirited activity in class w/ EOC and VOST teams can mutually benefit if both understand the needs and requests.
And also a VERY special shout out to the courses creator: Cheryl “HAZMAT MiniVan” Bledsoe. #famous
Obv, MaryJo and I are stoked to be the first instructors to bring this to Colorado!
Stay safe peeps, it’s only Wednesday.
Engage on social media like a MoFo and always do good stuff.
Reporting live from the State of Colorado Department of Homeland Security Emergency Operations Center…
Hello Wednesday! Getting a chance to teach my favorite advanced class – PER-344: Social Media Tools and Techniques at the State of New Mexico Department of Public Health.
Whohoo!
The engaging in-class activity in the afternoon is a great way to get you to think outside of the box…
…and force you to #totes enhance your social media game.
So happy to see numerous peeps attending today’s class.
This course is also very valuable to support upcoming Full Scale Exercise Vigilant Guard with the National Guard too.
Kicking off another basic Social Media class to my friends at the State of New Mexico Department of Health
Many mahalos to Greg, Cynthia, and Nick and the rest of the State of New Mexico Health Department.
Glad to see so many partners in public safety attending today’s class.
December was relatively busy but say hello to January 2017!
In the first week, its paperwork mania! As usual, we have yearly update classes that needs to be completed and mandatory inservice training.
Second week, I’ll be headed to the State of New Mexico’s Department of Heath to teach Social media. For my friends in Region-6, I also need to figure out if I’m a green or red. Hmmm.
Third week, I’ll be presenting at the huge PIO Conference in Franklin County (Columbus), Ohio. Working the PIO magic with Jennifer Ciaccia and Erica Creech. It’s a huge conference with tons of participants. Do you want to attend? Just email Xenia (xeniapalus@franklincountyohio.gov ) for more deets.
Fourth week, I head back to St. Clair County Michigan to teach social media. If you remember, these are my peeps who participated in the big Cause IV experiment with the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Canada’s Public Safety on a cross-border full scale exercise in 2016. Excited to see my peeps again!
2017 is here. Bring it!
Stuck inside this New Years? Working?
Maybe this will brighten your shift a little.
Continue keeping your public safe and thank you for your dedication to your community.
Where is @rusnivek? 