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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Detailed warning information on upcoming weather threats and other hazards

Posted on September 13, 2020 by rusnivek

Welcome to the third week of 2020 National Preparedness Month! This week, we will be addressing how to prepare for specific disasters.

Compared to other weeks where we talk about general topics, plans, and maybe some things in your kit, we will be talking about how you can get stuff ready for each type of emergency or disaster.

So to start out, let’s talk about information about upcoming disasters.

A solid tool that is almost indispensable is…..your cell phone!

That’s right, that little computer/smart phone in your pocket is a GREAT way that you can discern information and better respond to the emergency.

One easy way is to download the FEMA app.

See the source image

https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app

The FEMA app has a ton of features that could be beneficial to your specific area. Specifically in the notification for five of your identified cities/county.

This feature provides the ability to see what’s going on in a certain area of the country. And since I travel, I always have the first slot in my list for home. This allows me to get any notification on stuff that could be happening at home.

The second, third, and fourth slot are for my family in Los Angles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Gotta keep an eye on the family no matter where they are. Plus an extra set of eyes from another part of the country is beneficial esp if they are sleeping at 0300 and it’s 0800 here.

Since I travel a fair amount, I usually reserve slot #5 (the last slot) for my work travel. Even though I may not be from Central City, I will always know the latest in dangers in my travel city.

See the source image

From critical tornado warnings or immediate evacuation tsunami warnings – I know I’ll be prepared for my location(s) specific disaster or emergency.

All of the information provided to you….FREE. That’s right-all the details are available to you for free. App is free. No charge from FEMA to download the app. No monthly fee. No recurring administrative charges.

See the source image

Ahhhh, safety for free.

I got your back.

More free tips tomorrow addressing specific hazards.

Reporting live from the third week!

@rusnivek

3 reasons why you should have a family communications plan #NPM2020 #NatlPrep

Posted on September 5, 2020 by rusnivek

Final day of the first week of the 2020 National Preparedness Month. So to close this week out, we are going to talk about your family communications plan…aka comms plan.

No, not that kinda plan.

An essential part of your emergency plan is the easy family communications plan.

WAIT…did you say “I already have their phone numbers in my cell phone. Why do I need anything else?”

Your memory isn’t that great. You are human. And it’s been proven that during a crisis/duress, your critical skills and ability to recount precise information sucks.

This is precisely why you need a family communications plan.

Technology has proven to fail and fail at critical times in a crisis or disaster. While your cell phone is a critical piece of equipment, there are times where you lose your phone.

Yeah, I know all of you Apple Watch users have used the find my phone feature.

Regularly, we find evacuees after a storm, they report that they do not have good reception or adequate data service for their phones. This renders their phone useless when trying to communicate essential information to loved ones.

And we all know when we lose power to our phones that most definitely eliminate all critical phone numbers, emails, etc…

So three solid reasons why you want to consider having a hard copy family communications plan ready in case of an emergency.

Need some help? Here’s an easy template provided by our Ready.Gov campaign

Click to access Family_Comm_Plan_508_20150820.pdf

Easy peasy right?

Do the right thing for the safety of your family.

Reporting live and closing out the first week of the 2020 National Preparedness Month!

@rusnivek

Big cameras vs phones?

Posted on February 2, 2020 by rusnivek

Sunday reflection – just some quick screen shots of the ongoing press conferences from the back on the rotorwing aircraft crash in CA. Take a look.

Do you see it?

Count how many phones vs big cameras.

Amazing to see the change in technology as we move from

My PIO observations

Try your best to make room for those reporters w/ phones only. Obviously, they can’t pool, so maybe a stand for video.
Media should be considerate of the notification of next of kin. Loved ones should NEVER find out of death from media reports.
Malt boxes are nice for secure locations, but likely in an outside field setup (like this one), it might not be possible.
At the close of the presser, clearly state the time of the next press conference so that media will have a good idea what info will be delivered and of your partners on what to prepare.
In the mass/swarm of the location, consideration to elevate your primary talent. If that’s not possible, perhaps give them some room around the podium to deliver message.

Good work on an undoubtedly difficult incident.

@rusnivek

Run? Hide? Fight? Here’s a few better ones

Posted on May 28, 2019 by rusnivek

Tuesday morning hit hard after a long holiday weekend. On the ride in, I was thinking more about the new terminology that will be rolled out shortly to replace the “Run! Hide! Fight!” – for active shooter situations.

At last week’s National Preparedness Symposium, one of the FEMA Consortium partners brought up the newly revamped procedures.

1. Lock or block it.

2. Become invisible.

3. Silence your phone.

4. Silence yourself.

5. When you come out, ask “Is it OK?”

Lots of discussion on review of actions too. While heroic in practice/training, we are seeing that people are more reserve when it comes to actual emergencies.

Same as before, contemplate a counter-attack strategy with others who are stuck with you. “I go high and you go low” type conversations will help coordinate your immediate response if a threat presents itself.

Having good communications skills as well as non-verbal communications skills are critical esp in a dangerous situation.

Get to know your co-workers and your neighbors.

@rusnivek

A free app with preparedness info? #NatlPrep #EmergencyManagement

Posted on September 2, 2018 by rusnivek

So many state emergency management agencies have apps that can help you prepare. Here’s a fine example of the @scemd app that has tons of #preparedness info on #hurricane #nuclear #winter #snow #thunderstorm #wildfire #flooding #thunder #tornado #safety

No matter what part of the country you reside or work, be better prepared with these kinds of free apps available to anyone.

#FREE #NATLPREP

So many free things you can do to better prepare yourself for an emergency or disaster.

@rusnivek

Hi Unique you dropped your phone #PIO #SocialMedia

Posted on July 7, 2018 by rusnivek

Law enforcement has been in some tough situations. Most recently, social media has been credited with engaging the public.

In fact, some agencies have used social media to engage suspects who may leave items behind on a scene of a crime. Oooooo, evidence!

But this is not one of those cases.

On 07-04-18, this image was initially shared on Facebook then across various social media platforms.

The image with caption inferring that local law enforcement agency was pursuing the suspect and that the suspect dropped his/her cell phone while eluding law enforcement. Then, in order to reach out to the suspect and friends of the suspect, local law enforcement uses the suspect’s social media account to reach out and taunt.

While funny for public safety, we as trusting public safety pros need to take time to dispel rumors and verify facts. PIOs should be at the front line of this issue.

And yes, this post was actually fake. What the whut?

Here’s Chicago Police PIO Anthony Guglielmi’s response to this post gone viral.

Sooooooo, to recap:

The initial Facebook post was not associated to incident.
Image was borrowed from unrelated event.
LEOs were not involved in pursuit of suspect.
Law enforcement agencies are usually professional.
PIO was on it and addressed concern once information was vetted w/ 7th District.
Squashed viral post with real information. #truth

Well done CPD PIO!

Again, as PIOs we are the shepherds of our agency when it comes to reporting the facts and dispelling the rumors.

We as PIOs must remain vigilant and dispel rumors as soon as they appear. This is your job. The agency’s reputation is on the line so ensure the longevity and be cognizant of your agency’s image 24/7.

@rusnivek

Ohio Statewide Amber Alert on a Sunday from Licking County #FathersDay

Posted on June 18, 2017 by rusnivek

AMBER Alert on #FathersDay – not a good afternoon.

Not only do you get email notification…

…social media picked up on it right away…

…EAS Alerts go off to everyone in the proximity…

…and roadside signs instantly broadcast the same message.

Where and why did AMBER Alert first start?

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation.

How does it work?

Once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. AMBER Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and DOT highway signs. AMBER Alerts can also be re-disseminated through lottery, digital billboards, Internet Ad exchanges, Internet Service Providers, Internet search engines, as well as wireless devices such as mobile phones.

How effective has it been?

As of December 23, 2015 there have been 800 children rescued and returned specifically because of AMBER Alert. AMBER Alerts also serve as deterrents to those who would prey upon our children. AMBER Alert cases have shown that some perpetrators release the abducted child after hearing the AMBER Alert.

Do not ignore these Amber Alerts.
Be aware of your surroundings.

Look out for your neighbors.

Read the alert, call if you see something/someone matching the description and make your community safer.

@rusnivek

*****************Update as of 06-18-17 at 19:38*****************

Child was found safe. Keiria Marie Trent girl was found safe with a relative.

Thank you for participating in the Ohio AMBER Alert.

**END**

Save your #Family #Emergency #Communications #Plan on multiple devices #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Posted on September 10, 2016 by rusnivek

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!

ghostbusters

But do it safely and responsibly.

FEMANPM2016_logo_vFinal_medium

“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

@rusnivek

Memorize ALL your phone numbers? If not, here’s a free solution #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Posted on September 5, 2016 by rusnivek

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

gooodidea

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.

FEMANPM2016_logo_vFinal_medium

“Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

@rusnivek

Are you serious? This is NOT Infinite power #NatlPrep #Power

Posted on September 25, 2015 by rusnivek

This better not be your plan when the power goes out…

One of the main reasons why people evacuate from the safety of their home is because they have no power source. For 2015 National Preparedness Month, here’s a few tips you can use before the power goes out:

Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
Ensure you have extra compatible batteries for any device that can run on battery power (i.e., cell phones, portable phones, medical or assistive devices, radios).
Consider purchasing hand-crank and solar-powered chargers.
Consider extra USB port battery packs so you are able to charge various devices.
Extra charging cables – and make sure they are over 5 ft long.

Because no one likes a dead cell phone or portable device right?

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

Plug into knowledge…and get better prepared today.

Be powered and Ready by starting here!

@rusnivek