Day-4 and my Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) wanted to brief the entire Joint Field Office (JFO).
Words of encouragement to rally the team and keep the momentum going is an important part of any situation.
Awesome. I’m just glad to be a part of the team.
No supersoakers or motorized podiums yet.
Second day of being the FCO’s Press Secretary – bring it on Thursday!
Day-3: FEMA External Affairs PIOs (MRSP) heading out to the south side!
Nikki with 2 Ks and Kevin with 1 K.
On the docket – coordinated messaging, pressers, VIP visits, and media interviews.
Rolling 2 deep for Branch-2!
Few Public Information Officer (PIO) takeaways after yesterday’s #CLEStPats Parade.
#Spectacles are great for “hands-free” wearable technology…because its difficult to ride a bike and social media.
Duh! Hands free is great.
However, many people asked about my Spectacles which made it difficult to focus in on duty stuff.
The video activation on Spectacles was tough because I had/could only use my left hand only to start the video.
I wonder if those that have been following along on the SnapChat story, are disappointed when they see it’s only a “regular snap” vs “from Spectacles” in the top left identifier. I guess it’s the same viewer mindset as picture vs video because video appeals to more audiences with movement. Spectacles video is circular in nature, easy to expand view of scene. Here’s a quick example.
Here’s the view from a portrait style snap.
And here’s the same view bust just one of the possible views of a snap with viewer control of scene and framing.
Obv, lots more to see.
Additionally, I can see many of the viewers expecting video as they are getting the “behind the scenes” details with consistent narration. Which means – WE HAVE TO KEEP TALKING ALL THE TIME! Yikes.
As for Spectacles, you might want to consider your breathing as part of the “production” because my Spectacles picked up my breathing standing still and on the bike.
Wind blocking isn’t so great on them – so your “action” movement might be tough to record proper audio. There are no visible ports on SnapChat’s Spectales to attach an external mic.
Again, fun times yesterday with Cleveland Police and so many all-hazards partners in public safety.
If we consistently support each other, we will all succeed in our respective missions.
Be safe out there peeps!
2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cleveland is in full swing today.
Always remember to check in at the start of your shift at the EOC!
As part of our all-hazards plan, we have coordinated services with so many other agencies. Obviously the Cleveland EOC Manager wrote an IAP for all of us (Incident Action Plan).
This coordinated document addresses issues that could/likely arise during the operational period. Briefings and discussion completed by leadership as well as the Incident Commander (IC) help all C&GSF successfully complete their tasks. Additionally, understanding each other’s roles as well as the overarching SMART objectives, mission, and goals contribute to the success of the event.
Reporting into my ESF-15: External Affairs – Spox work today!
Planned ESF-1 (Transportation) routes look fairly open so sharing this kind of info with the general public is important because the less impaired drivers we have on the roadways, the better.
That’s why we encourage building partnerships before an event or large disaster. In this case, partnerships between all providers and the Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority (@GCRTA) was key in sharing the message.
Once we field deployed, we planned on a few specific events and locations. Showcasing the skills of local bomb teams and K9 teams is an important part to share with the general public. Security is always important as we must ensure that everyone has a safe St. Patrick’s Day.
We used both Facebook Live, Twitter, Facebook, and Periscope to broadcast directly from the parade staging area on Superior Ave.
To aid in movement, we opted for a few bikes courtesy of the Cleveland Police Bike Unit.
You may have seen these bikes deployed out before during the RNC – they are NICE!!! By being mobile, PIOs have the ability to get anywhere in the response area (Note: This was the first time we have deployed PIOs on bikes for an event).
We even saw many of the reporters we regularly work with – like Fox 8 Cleveland‘s Jessica Dill who decided to do a live spot with us.
Great to have great relationships with local media.
We were able to showcase a few behind the scenes things like the lineup and start of the parade and spot interviews with VIPs in the parade lineup.
Cold day, but it seems like everyone heeded our cold weather warnings. NICE!
We reported back to the EOC to reorient ourselves as the parade had over 120 vehicles/floats.
This gave us a chance to brief w/ leadership and Incident Command (IC). As we continued to push out critical messages, it was imperative that we confirm with the Incident Commander that we are pushing out the right information.
Salient ICS point of reference: PIOs do not operate independently from the IC – they work to push the coordinated messages/information that is approved by the Incident Commander.
As emergency calls come in, the spread of mis-information is rampant. We as PIOs and official Spokespersons (Spox) must ensure that we get the right message out.
As we head back out to into the field, we are able to share traffic patterns and push that information out to the general public. This will help them depart safely and quicker after the parade from downtown Cleveland.
Additionally, Cleveland Police was out ensuring peace for all who attended the parade.
Not only local, but there are so many partners involved like the Cuyahoga County Sheriff…
(Acting) Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management Agency Administrator Mark Christie and @rusnivek
…and even several Federal agencies too.
Instagram PC: Jay Kossman (digital504)
Great to see solid working relationships with all parties involved.
As PIOs we had a great day reporting from the field. We really enjoyed highlighting the efforts of so many pros working today.
Live broadcast from field PIOs = success for the #CLEStPats Parade!
From your favorite PIOs…
…Have a safe St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
Here’s my first observation with SnapChat’s #Spectacles
They are big. Here’s a comparison from my Spectacles vs an ordinary pair of Oakley Holbrook sunglasses.
Vs
Obv featuring an Engine and a Squad.
Yeah yeah, I know they are now called Snap, but I believe if you reference “Snap” this is what most everyone thinks.
More tomorrow peeps.
Long work day but now for some Public Information Officer (PIO) stuff.
Today’s hot topic: ongoing media relation, reporter problems, how to say no, replies that are short and blunt, and the proverbial discussion of “how can we get everyone to play nice in the sandbox!”
PIO A-Team unite!
Finally reviewing some of the recap video from the PIO Conference in January.
Erica Creech
Great time with over 100 seasoned Public Information Officers (PIOs)…
Jennifer Ciaccia
…from multiple states including from all over Ohio.
Kevin Sur
Saturday night fun stuff.
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…
Whut. Is. Happening.
Is that Ryan Pennington…that famous JumpSeatViews Firefighter from Charleston Fire?
Yeppers-that’s JumpSeatTraining.
Oh yes, let’s crash this podcast party.
#famous in 3…2..1…
Listen in here.
In this week’s edition of Jumpseat Radio host, Ryan Pennington welcomes his good friend, and PIO Master, Kevin Sur. Kevin travels around the world serving in multiple roles with local, state, and federal government agencies preparing for emergencies. Kevin is a Social Media Master that teaches the benefits and uses of the multiple platforms to different agencies.
Mahalos to Ryan for letting me crash his party!
Reporting live from behind the JumpSeatMic…
Say hello to the newest PIOs from Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia!
Congrats peeps!
Now use your communications skillz for good!
(Yep, that is most definitely a “Z”)
Where is @rusnivek? 