Um, I just passed Smokey the Bear (@smokey_bear) here in southern Ohio.
DUDE-ARE YOU OK?
Smokey – R U OK!?!?!?
Does your neck hurt? Where are my EMS protocol for bear injury!?!?!?
I’m still a little fuzzy on what happened here…
Sima Merick was named as the Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
Previous Executive Director Evan Schumann now serves as the Deputy Director of OEMA.
The primary mission of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency is to coordinate activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. This mission is carried out by closely interfacing with local, state and federal agencies in an effort to bring resources of recovery and support to Ohioans impacted by the disaster. In addition to disaster response and recovery, Ohio EMA agency activities include: education, training, planning and preparedness – strengthening Ohio’s first responder capabilities and improving communication across the state.
@rusnivek
Great Basic Public Information Officers course here in Ohio.
Lots of great interactions in class.
Additionally great networking!
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s on-camera interviews!
Take a few minutes to commit to being ready for disasters that may threaten your community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region V office in Chicago, Ill., is encouraging everyone to take part in America’s PrepareAthon! National Day of Action on April 30 and consider doing at least one activity to improve your resilience to potential disasters.
“Spring in the Midwest can bring a heightened risk for severe weather, so it’s even more critical for people to get ready now,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Be proactive, and engage your family, friends and neighbors in one of the many simple ways to prepare for emergencies.”
Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit your city and/or county website to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. You should also ensure your cell phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area. And always heed the weather warnings from your local National Weather Service Office (NWS).
Download the free FEMA app to get and stay prepared: Access disaster safety tips, an emergency kit list, emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters. Text ANDROID or APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA) and receive a link for download.
Follow preparedness agencies on Twitter like @FEMA @FEMARegion5 @Ohio_EMA @rusnivek @ReadyGov @PrepareAthon @CraigatFEMA for quick information and regularly posted preparedness tips.
Develop and test emergency communications plans. Visit www.Ready.gov/plan-for-your-risks for tips on how to ensure your plan is as comprehensive as possible.
Assemble or update emergency supplies. Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit for a disaster supply checklist. Don’t forget to store additional supply kits in your car and at the office too.
Collect and safeguard critical documents. Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, such as a bank safe deposit box.
These easy preparedness steps takes seconds to complete.
Be a part of the 2015 National Call to Action and be prepared for any disaster or emergency.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2015 EM Director’s Conference has started in Columbus.
Looks like all 88 counties are here ready to collaborate on a multiple topics and challenges.
We also had the FEMA Region-5 Administrator Andrew Velasquez III address the audience.
Also SM luminary and friend Cheryl Bledsoe presented on VOST (Virtual Operation Support Teams).
Great to see so many old friends!
March has turned into a gigantic month!
First week, I’ll be in Kansas (Region-7).
Second week, I’ll be in Pennsylvania (Region-3).
Third week, I’ll be in Ohio…more specifically rolling out a brand new social media course for FEMA in Cincinnati (Region-5).
Fourth week, I’ll be in southern Ohio teaching more PIO stuff for health departments (still in Region-5).
Fifth week, I’ll be in Kentucky (Region-4).
I’m trying to squeeze in a tactical course w/ the lads from ICE somewhere in there, but I’m not making any promises.
March is indeed a busy month.
Are we there yet?
I double checked my vehicle preparedness kit today and I found this…
Because of the bitterly cold temps here in Ohio, some of my 3-day emergency supply of water froze.
So do me a favor, take a quick look at your kits and see if everything is still operational. If water is frozen, replace it. If flashlights are dead, replace the batteries.
Preparedness is an easy ongoing effort by everyone. Double check your vehicle preparedness kits today!
Despite the cold temps, PIO/SM class is in full swing in Ashtabula County Emergency Management.
Nothing gets in the way of solid training.
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!
I was honored to teach at the 2015 International Disaster Conference & Expo (IDCE) in New Orleans.
My first return to Louisiana since being deployed down here for Hurricane Katrina/Rita in 2005.
Happy Mardi Gras y’all!
Where is @rusnivek? 