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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Day-2 of FEMA Basic Public Information Officer Program

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rusnivek

Day-2 of FEMA’s Basic Public Information Officer Couse started out with reviews of all crisis interviews.

Collaborating on communications tactics with various agencies allows PIOs to craft the right message – esp in a disaster.

Erica had a chance to share JIC efforts from the Republican National Convention.

And you know I shared some tactics and tips on ascertaining open source info utilizing geolocation/metadata during a National Special Security Event. I also chatted briefly about tools field PIOs should use when deployed out.

After lunch we were fortunate enough to hear from a great panel discussion: Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine, the Information Officer for central Indiana and RTV6’s Investigative reporter Paris Lewbel.

Both panelists candidly shared information with everyone attending.

Side note: Sgt John Perrine is the brains behind the truly viral PSA hit on vehicles turn signals. Check it out here.

Great to work with so many pros today.

@rusnivek

This week, we are starting another G290…

Posted on July 5, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great start to a solid G-290: Basic PIO Course with WTFD.

Greetings and welcome to everyone in Region-5 by Capt Mike Pruitt.

Started out the morning with building a base of core PIO principals including reviewing writing that targets a specific target audience.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Ahem. Press releases are almost dead.

Erica talked about how critical Incident Communications Analysis plays a big part in how our audience uses/digests information.

We started all the on-camera interviews after lunch. Lots of great interviews…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…and solid techniques showcased in the field interview exercises…

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

…many of the participants are already functioning as PIOs within their own communities.

Photo credit: M. Pruitt

Group work in the afternoon…

…with more discussion and reporting out of critical facts while writing talking points.

We are so fortunate to have such a diverse class of participants willing to share information.

Reporting live from the most funnest PIO class ever…

@rusnivek

Ahhh another packed July!

Posted on July 1, 2017 by rusnivek

Hello July! Is it really 3Q already?!?

First week I’ll be teaching another FEMA’s Basic PIO Course with JIC/JIS at WTFD. (How about them acronyms!)

Second week will be another ICS-400 course in the Emergency Operations Center

Along with another JIC/JIS course, third week will be spent at the COOP site. Wheeee.

Fourth week will include another PIO exercise specifically focusing in on social media. I’ll also need to confirm our 3Q PIO/PAO Training with NBC for our TaskForce.

Lots of planning meeting sprinkled into the mix and randomly working out of the COOP site will test operational readiness. Fun times.

@rusnivek

Stopping by DuPage County HSEM on #AlohaFriday

Posted on June 16, 2017 by rusnivek

Not going to lie…I think DuPage County Homeland Security and Emergency Management has some of the neatest stuff.

Like legit old school Civil Defense stuff!

Fact: Did you know DuPage County used to have an underground impervious EOC bunker? Seriously just like the old War Games EOC “Crystal Palace”. Probably didn’t have a WOPR.

Great to briefly chat with DuPage County HSEM Director William Babyar too. Lots in common.

Special thanks to DuPage County HSEM PIO John Nebl for the grand tour and meetings.

Famous x2! @rusnivek + @SchaumburgNebl #AlohaFriday

Looking forward to supporting DuPage County operations.

@rusnviek

Me Oh My Oh May 2017!

Posted on May 2, 2017 by rusnivek

Me Oh My Oh May 2017!

First week I’ll be presenting at the 2017 Association of Floodplain Managers annual conference in Kansas City. Region-7 peeps!

Second week will be in the State of Nevada Emergency Operations Center for a set of social media courses including my favorite PER-344 – Social Media Tools & Techniques! Region-9 baby! Sadly, I will not be attending the National SAA conference.

Third week will be spent teaching ICS-300 in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Who’s excited for Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) for Expanding Incidents?!?

Fourth week will be spent in southern Ohio in a PIO course with on camera interviews and crisis response exercise.

Trust me, it’s likely going to be a busy tough May.

@rusnivek

Brand new Social Media Engagement Strategies course debut at SAC EOC #NDPTC

Posted on April 24, 2017 by rusnivek

Solid start to the week being able to deliver the brand new FEMA NDPTC Social Media Engagement Strategies course.

Numerous pros from across the state of California attending today.

Special thanks to the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services in hosting this fun class in their Emergency Operations Center.

Super special shoutout goes to MayJo!

Talked specifically about addressing audiences and their appropriate platforms. Mediums like static posts are great however we need to explore outside of your comfort zone and try new avenues to communicate. FacebookLive, Periscope, InstagramLive, YouTubeLive, etc…..these new emerging live broadcast tools can allow agencies to be creative in their broadcast of messages.

Solid afternoon facilitation on the formulation of a strategic communications specifically focusing in on social media and audience engagement.

And of course the standard shout out to our friend Cheryl.

Overall, the intent of this class is really to be a catalyst to start a meaningful conversation about engaging your constituents on various social media platforms.

Obviously, you would be taking FEMA NDPTC PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques first – which gives you a heavy dose of the currrent tools/platforms that are out there as well as a bunch of tactics and techniques that you could use in your EOC or JIC.

Both courses provide a different take on social media actions esp during disasters / crisis.

Keep on learning peeps. Much more to digest and figure out.

We all must do better to support our local communities, county coordinators, and state officials to work and communicate together before, during, and after the disaster.

We the people right? #Merica

@rusnivek

Twinsburg Fire for a bit today

Posted on April 21, 2017 by rusnivek

Spent part of my day at Twinsburg Fire (Summit County, OH).

Great to see Fire Chief Tim Morgan. Fun fact, I first met him when he was a new red helmet. We talked a bit about regionalization as well as building partnerships through our IMTs (Incident Management Teams).

But the fun began when I got a chance to chat with Assistant Fire Chief Steve Bosso about PIO stuff.

And of course other stuff too.

Say it with me: “partnerships”

Trust me, its great to have such an outspoken advocate for safety at Twinsburg and Summit County.

Be safe peeps – always lean on your trusted fellow peeps before the big one hits.

@rusnivek

Tools for live broadcast for City of Cleveland peeps

Posted on April 20, 2017 by rusnivek

Thursday fun with numerous Public Information Officers from the City of Cleveland.

Quick presentation on Tools and Social Media Platforms specifically addressing live broadcast technologies and lessons learned.

Yes, I’ll promise to show them my PIO stick (aka my GOT rod)

Great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd today.

@rusnivek

“Attending” the #GSMCon2017 in Dallas #coasttocoastkevin

Posted on April 13, 2017 by rusnivek

Today, I am “attending” the Government Social Media Conference (#GSMCon2017) in Dallas.

Thanks to a few late night ideas spurred by Maryland Emergency Management’s Emily Allen (@allen_emilym) and Garden Grove Fire California Capt Nguyen (@PIOthanhn).

Bahhahahaahaha.

Sounds like an interesting talk from Mary Jo Flynn and Sarah Miller now on Social Media and UAS use by government officials.

Ahem. Well, what can I say?

Maybe a few safety messages on keeping your mobile devices charged…..Wait, Lazo can you help?

I tried to win a few raffle prizes, but sadly that didn’t happen.

While on the step and repeat, Conference host Kristy Dalton is giving me the look…the look to attend #GSMCon2018 too.

I spy, with my right eye…Bronlea too!

Reporting live from…..well Dallas!

@rusnivek

Whoa, that went well… #AlohaFriday

Posted on March 24, 2017 by rusnivek

Whoa….whoa…..whoa……

After getting reassigned from the JIC to the FCO, I was evaluated on my performance.

So yeah, that went well.

Great to support the FCO as well as the FEMA Region-1 Incident Management Team (IMAT) this week.

Trust me, without the support of countless PIOs and numerous External Affairs peeps, we could not have accomplished our tasks assigned.

My hope is that we continue to increase our knowledge and expand on ways that we can serve each of our communities daily as well as during any disaster or emergency.

We must relentlessly pursue knowledge from educators who are willing to share their craft with others.

Listen to all of our communities and share kernels of knowledge with others in an open forum so that other PIOs can learn and make good decisions.

It is incumbent upon us to coordinate the response effort for those who have nothing.

And most importantly, it is our duty to serve this great nation.

Demobing now.

Great week.

@rusnivek