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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Providing oversight on today’s US DHS and PS Canada International Exercise #Cause4 #CauseIV

Posted on April 27, 2016 by rusnivek

I was requested to support the Department of Homeland Security’s 2016 Science and Technology Cause-4 International Exercise between the United States and Canada today.

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Public Safety Canada. Yep-international baby!!!!!

But crossing borders is more difficult than you think – esp when dealing with patient privacy, tactical operations, and coordinating efforts amongst ultra type-A personalities.

This is why training and exercising is so crucial to agencies who want to make a different in their communities they serve. This is also why Emergency Management is ideally a solid coordinating entity for this type of response.

In this particular international exercise, emergency response agencies are testing EMS response, transport information, sharing actionable data, social media, and a whole lots others stuff.

I’m just glad to be a small part of the work by so many people and agencies.

I am convinced that through joint exercises, we can build stronger core agencies and be better responsive to emerging threats and hazards.

“It is imperative that we enhance our all-hazards public safety partnerships.” – Kevin Sur.

@rusnivek

Gifs for preparedness #SafetyFacts #NatlPrep

Posted on March 30, 2016 by rusnivek

Awwww yeah! Using gifs for preparedness?

Yaaaasssssssss! #winning

But then this happened:

Holey moley! It’s a good day when FEMA’s @ReadyGov RTs me and @PrepareAthon loves my gifs. #swoon

hom

Now use your new social media powers for good.

Reporting live from the EOC…

@rusnivek

Snapping preparedness messaging aka SnapSleet-Safety-PIO-SM-16-001

Posted on March 25, 2016 by rusnivek

Using SnapChat for preparedness isn’t as easy as one would think.
So here is yesterday’s snap in sleet.

Few items that I have to ponder for next time:

1. Portrait vs landscape. Since MOST of our recipients will be viewing this on a mobile platform (vertical), we should shoot the videos in portrait mode. That makes “selfie” solo production a bit more difficult. Hint: You might want to stop making fun of that selfie-stick now and get one.

2. Outside conditions (esp in our line of work) necessitates an external lav mic. I have one and I totally forgot to use it.

3. Framing needs to be assessed because the shot needs to include room for text.

4. Remembering which side is up during landscape video shooting is important. (I purposely did it so I can see if viewers rewatched the video to get the full effect). But SnapChat’s analytics don’t show amounts on segments – it only shows who has initially watched.

5. My shot list should have included various parts of the vehicle. Similar to a news package, varied backgrounds would likely keep audiences more engaged and keep their interest.

6. Filming in sleet isn’t fun.

7. Clean your lens. A lot.

8. Turn off your engine. Ambient noise will affect your sound (esp being so close).

9. I should have used some sort of emoticons to appeal more to a younger demographic/audience.

10. Saving the snap to YouTube (in its entirety) so that it can be used for other preparedness efforts (including separated sections).

I know the 10 items are detailed and nerdy, but as PIO or PAO or Communications Pros, I feel we should regularly share our lessons learned with others so we can all improve our tactics and deliveries.

Have a safe weekend peeps.

@rusnivek

SnapChat for notification? Hmmm

Posted on March 24, 2016 by rusnivek

Have to use SnapChat for preparedness but can’t get out of the office to do it?

Me too. Maybe this snap could help you out.

That’s the best I can do.

Reporting live, I mean snapping behind the desk…

@rusnivek

A strong EF-1 tornado that hit Pepper Pike

Posted on March 22, 2016 by rusnivek

Yes it is 2016 National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Back in 2013, a strong EF-1 hit Pepper Pike (Cuyahoga County, Ohio) in 2013 at 3am.

Luckily, there were no deaths associated with this tornado. Trust me, the damage was unreal.

TornadoPepperPikea

Yikes is right. But now is the time to review your preparedness kits and double check your family communications plan.

On Wednesday 03-22-16 at 0950 EST, Ohio will have a statewide test of the tornado sirens. This is only a test.

Test your tornado plans by:

Taking shelter in a safe location on the lowest level of a sturdy building
Keeping an emergency first aid kit in your shelter location.
Having a copy of your family communications plans.
Putting on boots (for post tornado debris).

These simple tips could help you survive a tornado strike.

More weather info can be found 24/7 by my trusted partners at NWS-CLE.

I hope that you can participate in our statewide tornado drill tomorrow. #SafetySur #NatlPrep #OHWx #severeprep

@rusnivek

The Kik points slot machine works

Posted on March 19, 2016 by rusnivek

Here I thought the Kik points slot machine was all BS.

Still can’t figure out how to utilize this platform for preparedness.

Or the “value” of the reward system.

@rusnivek

Enhance our all-hazards public safety partnerships

Posted on February 11, 2016 by rusnivek

I’ve said it about a million times now.

allhazardspublicsafety

Bringing my best emergency management stuff today.

Teamwork brings success.

@rusnivek

2016 South Carolina Business Disaster Recovery Symposium – final thoughts and thanks

Posted on February 6, 2016 by rusnivek

Last week, I had the chance to present in front of the leaders of South Carolina in Myrtle Beach at the 2016 South Carolina Business Disaster Recovery Symposium.

It was a packed house! (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

It is outstanding to see everyone, especially private industry building partnerships with governmental agencies. I talked a ton about the use of social media and communications.

Just me, standing on chairs dancing away.

Of course all the news media was there too…

WMBF News (NBC Affiliate)

PIO interview skills in 3…2…1…

“We must work in tandem with our partners in public safety…” (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

And the reporter?

Trust me, the WPDE (ABC affiliate) News reporter Liz Cooper was hilarious. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

At this Symposium, not only were they talking about preparedness…

Gahhhh, I love preparedness! My favorite month is……. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)

…we talked a ton about response and RECOVERY!

Because it isn’t as sexy, the recovery phase in Emergency Management does not have the same visibility when compared to the Preparedness phase or the Response phase. So this symposium is a perfect opportunity to showcase some messaging and how communications needs to be an integral part of any government or private business during recovery.