Its dangerous working with prop aircraft use #NatlPrep

It’s dangerous working with propeller aircraft use #NatlPrep

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No joke-do not walk into the props!

Safety is always the first priority when doing air operations of any kind.

The general public should take the time to watch the news and find out the areas that have active air operations. Stay clear of those areas.

Also probably a good time to remind you about these things.

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Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

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@rusnivek

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

I popped back-to-back-to-back social media classes last week in Sacramento, California.

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Participants from all over the west coast attended. Specifically for Thursday and Friday, FEMA reviewed our new curriculum courses. Yep, straight up evaluation. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

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Ongoing for course design, I will make a few more additions/changes before courses are sent to the National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) for certification. Hoping for final approval in November 2015. Hope to hear the magical words “Federally published” as my course is listed in the DHS / FEMA Training catalog. Whoa Nellie!

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 For the classes? We had great interaction from all participants.

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Solid discussions during the breakout sessions included professionals from all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) as well as experts from the National Weather Service (NWS), Critical Infrastructure, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), etc… Diverse groups make for the best discussions for sure!

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As part of our continued efforts in Emergency Management, it is imperative that we address issues from the All-Hazards approach and incorporate the support of our stakeholders in solutions.

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With heavy discussion, class participants had a great time engaging with others and using tools/techniques that are specific to the Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Directorates. Obviously, I showcased the importance of a good Public Information Officer (PIO) / Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and how their interaction in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) is imperative to a successful emergency or disaster.

Also, starting to build an online learning library that can be easily accessed from anywhere using the #NDPTC is always good reference. Free. My favorite F-word.

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Special mahalos to fellow Instructors Cheryl and MaryJo in the delivery of these courses.

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Also the solid smiles from fellow #SMEM Jennifer and Scott was crucial support on this delivery.

Glad to be working with partners like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Truly great to see everyone working collaboratively. Thanks to the Sacramento County Emergency Management for hosting these courses.

Looking forward to the next class at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conference in Clark County, Nevada. See you there!

@rusnivek

Created and designed and now piloting the new SM

I rolled out my new FEMA presentation for FEMA Region-4 peeps at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.


At this time, this course is the semi-final pilot so I’m almost there!

Obvs, I had to incorporate a great preparedness campaign from my friends at the CDC.  Have you heard of their preparedness campaign before? It costed the CDC a killer $87 (Get it? I’m so punny).


How about them Zombies?


Classroom activities make it easier for our all-hazards partners to come up with good messaging during preparedness, response, and recovery.


Shared experiences and open discussion amongst public safety providers allows for solid social media solutions to be developed for many common issues.


Participants use various hardware and software platforms to complete each assigned performance-based task. This showcases the spectrum of social media that spans hardware and software differences.


Final will be presented for certification in August in FEMA Region-9 at the State of California Emergency Operations Center located in Sacramento.


So nervous! But seriously, I’m so excited for this project, I can’t even…

@rusnivek

All-Hazards participants in today’s class in South Dakota

Here for the class today. Numerous all-hazards responders including US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), US Forestry Service, FireAttack T-1/2 AHIMTs, local law enforcement, infrastructure, utilities, public safety comms, PIOs, healthcare, Tribal agencies, and Emergency Management professionals from South Dakota.


Nothing gets in the way of good training!


In breaking for lunch just now, participants asked if the fella over there with the hella good hair had any Taylor Swift.

Yes, I’m a very accommodating instructor – no problem!


Reporting live from the EOC…FEMA Region-8 baby!
@rusnivek

Teaching in the State of Ohio EOC today

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.

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

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Working the PIO magic!

@rusnivek

Teaching at the Hamilton County EOC aka ROC #Cinci

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

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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

Even the pros train and test emergency plans! #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

It’s Thursday in the fourth week of 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

ThirstyThursdays…I mean TestingThursdays continues!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency

#25: Just like you, the professionals train and test their emergency plans. #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

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“The State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center is participating in the annual power plant training” Photo cred: Ohio Emergency Management Agency, (Columbus) 09/23/14

It is an essential part of your plan…actually doing it!

This was the view of the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center where numerous emergency management agencies across the state participated in a multi-agency all-hazards annual power plant training. This training was evaluated by FEMA Region-V.

See, even the professionals train too!

Keep up the great work!

@rusnivek

Great start to today’s OEMA social media class

Another great morning here at the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center.

Various agencies from all over the state in attendance at today’s social media class.

Special thanks to Ohio EMA Assistant Director Sima Merick for the welcome message.

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Now to break down more info and tools on how effective PIOs (Public Information Officers) or PAOs (Public Affair Officers) engage on social media.

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Excited to be instructing a bunch of PIOs today.

@rusnivek

In the EOC…and a gigantic sinkhole

Seriously, a pretty perfect morning here at the Emergency Operations Center.

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Oh, and they have a gigantic sinkhole here which sounds pretty bad. EMA Director Keck will be briefing us this AM.

Sounds like the news has already caught wind of it and OEMA has briefed on the situation this AM.

@rusnivek

How is the DigiDOC used at ARC HQ

Good overview on how the American Red Cross (ARC) uses social media.

Through the heat maps provided by Radian-6, ARC has the ability to better visualize the needs of the worldwide community.

Definitely a commercial for American Red Cross, Radian-6, and Dell.

Bonus: It also features a few friends too (Hi Gloria and Wendy!)

@rusnivek