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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Need a backup EOC? I bet you can identify this one

Posted on January 12, 2017 by rusnivek

For my Emergency Management Pros – have you done your continuity planning yet?

What? You don’t have a backup Emergency Operations Center?!?

Let me help you for free: Sports-type restaurants can easily double as an Emergency Operations Center.

restaurant-eoc

Oh schnikies – he’s right!

Remember on September 11th, FDNY had to move their EOC multiple times because of increased hazards, inaccessibility, and debris?

More planning? Any of the FEMA credentialed Master Continuity Practitioners can help you out…like me.

fema_logo3

Likely this could be a good alternate to any Emergency Operations Center right? Large parking lot, ability to provide food, bathrooms, etc….all the stuff we need.

So yes, if you are short on funding, consider identifying a few neighborhood sports restaurants as backup emergency operations centers in your AOR and mutual aid districts/regions.

@rusnivek

Planning at the FTA for upcoming events

Posted on December 14, 2016 by rusnivek

Lots of planning at the Cleveland Fire Training Academy today.

Special thanks to the lads at Engine-30 for supporting.

@rusnivek

Sharing your #Family #Emergency #Communications #Plan with First Responders #NatlPrep #PrepareAthon

Posted on September 7, 2016 by rusnivek

Happy National Preparedness month! The focus during this second week is on preparing friends and family for different emergencies.

Showcasing the skills of local first responders are incredibly important to adults AND kids. And sharing important information (like a Family Emergency Communications Plan) with first responders is critical.

National Preparedness Month that promotes creating family emergency communications plans.

Often times, we overlook explaining what actually happens during an emergency.

So take the time to explain to your kids that during an emergency, ALL first responders are there to help. And of course, don’t forget to teach your children to dial 9-1-1.

Reminder: When teaching children to call 9-1-1, do not verbally say “Nine-Eleven” as there is not an eleven button on the phone.

Do it today!

FEMANPM2016_logo_vFinal_medium

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

@rusnivek

Building relationships now will only increase successes

Posted on June 24, 2015 by rusnivek

We must continue to work closely with our partners in all emergency services because the safety of the public is of the utmost concern.

I am proud of the work I am asked to do because it brings agencies closer together and ultimately in times of crisis, agencies will seamlessly showcase their skills together and find success together.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Because 6/6 is good numbers.

I hope your agency is building stronger relationships BEFORE any major emergency or disaster. By strengthening partnerships with a wide swath professionals, we can only become smarter and more successful.

Call it “Increasing Situational Awareness/Common Operating Picture” or “All-hazards planning” – IDGAF.

Make it your prerogative to build relationships now. Right now.

Don’t make me step on your face. Do it!

This is the marker of many successful agencies.

@rusnivek

Definitely an all-hazards approach to events in NOLA

Posted on February 10, 2015 by rusnivek

Good to see so much emphasis put on event planning and pre-staged apparatus for events ongoing in NOLA.

Just the sheer number of agencies involved is a clear sign that emergency agencies here truly believe in the all-hazards mantra.

Well done to all visible and unmarked agencies involved in providing public safety.

@rusnivek

2015 Preparedness peeps and PIO planning

Posted on January 5, 2015 by rusnivek

For all my preparedness peeps and PIO planners out there…

Hope this makes your life tons easier.

Special thanks to the Ready.Gov team at FEMA!

@rusnivek

National disaster or major significant event? Turn off your scheduled posts and tweets!

Posted on November 25, 2014 by rusnivek

Quick social media note: During a national crisis/event, turn off your scheduled posts/tweets.

Last night, I watched as numerous agencies continue (or forget) to stop their auto scheduling programs last night. C’mon, I talk about that in class! If you don’t turn off your auto posts/tweets, your constituents and consumers will perceive you as being insensitive to the current events.

After the horrific shooting at the Aurora, Colorado Theatres on 07-19-14, NRA social media team autoposted this tweet via HootSuite on 07-20-14. Tweet was viewed as inappropriate as shootings/gun violence/tragedy was the major discussion of the day. Tweet was perceived as inappropriate and insensitive.

After all, social media is about being social and talking about #trending topics right? (Think of it as a digital water cooler)

After the Boston Bombing incident, many brands and organizations expressed thoughts and prayers for those involved in this egregious tragedy. Public perception? Simple and thoughtful.

Now I know what you are saying – “But national events don’t play any part in our daily operations.” WRONG!, your image is based on perception and being mindful or relevant to a national event will help your readers embrace your greater good.

Now what is considered a national event? Well, that is for your organization to decide. My opinion? I would err on the side of conservative judgment.

@rusnivek

My day at FEMA HQ #Prepared2014

Posted on March 30, 2014 by rusnivek

Had a chance to stop by FEMA HQ.

Also FEMA’s new MCOVs were on display right next to Quizno’s. Neeto stuff.

One of the highlights was a chance to sit and hang in the NRCC for a bit…just to see where the magic happens. Sa-weet.

Then on to the serious stuff. Lots of discussion with FEMA’s External Affairs folks pertaining to preparedness and readiness. #Prepared2014 – great stuff planned as we move into mid 2014. Truth be told, I’m just glad to be a part of the action.

I also enjoy meeting with people who are passionate about their jobs and really believe in their careers. It’s not often you get to see that kind of true dedication.

Running to make my afternoon meetings, I got a chance to hang with several Emergency Managers from around the country who were in town attending the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Mid Year Planning Conference in VA.

Not only are they true fellow emergency managers, more importantly, they are friends. Trouble was to be had since we tried to emulate Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar night #Selfie for the other #SMEM folks. BTW-if you don’t know these peeps in this picture, trust me, you should. No seriously, trust me, you should.

Mahalos to Meischa Jackson for the assist.

I also got to sit down and talk again to Doc Lumpkins who is the Director of National Integration Center at FEMA HQ.

Haven’t seen him since the 2011 UASI Conference in San Francisco. I can’t begin to tell you how funny he is. I got nothing but mad respect for this guy!

In review, I should really make more trips to DC to meet with my peeps.

*sigh*

Now off to South Carolina!

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030

Posted on January 14, 2014 by rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030.

The chemical spill (up to 7,500 gallons) into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate. “Do not use water” order remains in effect for approximately 65,000. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol (MCHM).

West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
01-13-14 afternoon – bans lifted for 26,000 customers.
01-14-14 morning – bans lifted for additional 9,000 customers.
All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity: 234 patients treated at this time with 14 admits. No confirmed fatalities.
Elk River flows into Ohio River tributary. Cincinnati Water Works monitoring.
Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 96% delivery totals. FEMA FCO monitoring.

http://www.amwater.com/about-us/news.html

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14 at 0900

Posted on January 13, 2014 by rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14- at 0900.

The chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate.

CDC has established threshold levels. At this time, indicators are within acceptable levels at water plant. Now seeking consistent safe reading levels at various points within the 1,700 mile pipeline system. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol.

West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
All West Virginia State ESFs released but remain on standby.
All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity.
No confirmed fatalities and 169 patients treated at this time.
Logistics Section filled and delivered 100% of meals requested by West Virginia.
Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 94% delivery totals. Daily assessments of needs still ongoing.

Counties affected: Boone County, Cabell County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Putnam County, and Roane County.

People in the affected areas in West Virginia = DO NOT DRINK OR USE THE WATER. *Only use for toilet flushing

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek