Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Special visitors checking on our preparedness! #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 30, 2014 by rusnivek

It is Tuesday and the final day of 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

National Preparedness Day!!!!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency

#30: Flat Stanley & Flat Stella stopped by the fire station to check out our emergency preparedness kits. #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

In honor of National Preparedness Day, we had two special visitors at our fire station. Flat Stanley and Flat Stella stopped by for a quick visit and tour.

They wanted to see if all Firefighters and Paramedics were participating and prepared as part of September’s 2014 National Preparedness Month which was held all month long.

Both Flat Stanley and Flat Stella checked our Emergency Preparedness Kit in Ladder-11.

Flat Stanley asked if we had enough water ready…

Of course we do!

Flat Stella asked to see our emergency contact list as well as my new smoke detector.

As you can see, our emergency contact information is contained in the Vial of Life Program. And smoke detectors are always free from the fire department.

Flat Stanley made sure these were fresh fire extinguishers and they were ready to go.

Both had an awesome chance to take a ride in BFD Ladder-11.

Special thanks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready.Gov program.

Also thanks to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA’s Ready.Gov, Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA), and the Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency.

What a month! I’m proud of everyone who participated in National Preparedness Month and extremely happy that everyone is more prepared for any emergency or disaster.

@rusnivek

Even Fire Trucks have emergency preparedness kits – you should too!#NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 29, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s Monday in the fifth and final week of 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Ready…Set…Monday!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency

#29: Even Fire Trucks have emergency preparedness kits – you should too!#NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Coordinated a visit to the fire station today w/ Flat Stanley and Flat Stella. They check on our preparedness efforts at the station including checking our emergency preparedness kit! More pictures and details tomorrow.

Speaking of Tuesday September 30th…don’t forget, tomorrow is National Preparedness Day!

Post your great activities by using the #NatlPrep or #Prepared2014

Looking forward to seeing all of your emergency preparedness stuff!

@rusnivek

Your kids prepared for any emergency? Can they all be a Ready Big Hero? #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

Posted on September 24, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s midweek in the fourth week of 2014 National Preparedness Month

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Wacky Wednesday continues!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency

#24: Does your kid have it? Prepared for any emergency? Can they all be a Ready Big Hero? #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

Make sure all of your family is prepared for any emergency or disaster.

Make sure they prepare with you and run family drills because that’s real hero stuff.

Your kid can be a Ready – Big Hero too!

@rusnivek

Search and Rescue on the ready!

Posted on September 24, 2014 by rusnivek

Search and Rescue on the ready!

@rusnivek

Your pet needs an emergency preparedness kit too! Check out the one I have – ready to go #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #Woof

Posted on September 19, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s finally Friday in this third week of 2014 National Preparedness Month

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

#FridayFurDay right? Or is that #FridayFunday ?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#19: Your pet needs an emergency preparedness kit too! Check out the one I have – ready to go #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #Woof

Dry dog food (3 days worth). I have Kacy’s food parceled out into individual easy servings. This way, we don’t over feed her.

Two (2) bottles of water – which is enough for her for 3 days.

Pet identification (3×5 notecard in zip lock bag which makes this waterproof) which includes our contact cell phones and twitter handles, pet name, date of birth, current vaccinations, county dog registration, vet address, vet phone, and of course a short description of what she looks like. Also in the zip lock bag is Kacy’s pet medications (heart worm pills and flea and tick meds).

Small bowl to eat and drink.

Dog identification tags that includes her name tag, county dog identification, rabies vaccination information, our contact information, and home address.

Pet First Aid kit – I got this from a community fair thanks to the local health department. This is a necessity! It will make minor injuries easier to manage.

Extra static 6ft leash…and yes, it’s labeled w/ duct tape with her name on it.

Packable raincoat because in case it rains, we are prepared for adverse weather! Also the “wet dog smell” isn’t the most fragrant aroma.

Favorite pet toys for Kacy which includes two Nylabone chew toys and a bright orange rubber tennis ball from Target.

*******All of the above items fit nicely in a dog carry pack. *******

Incidentally, this pack/harness has a handle on the topin case I need to emergently pick her up and go. I also have a green glow stick (break activation) that attaches via carabiner to the top for easy identification during night travel/evacuation.

The pack has several zippered outside pockets so I can separate the medications/Identification from the food.

These simple and easy basic supplies make up my pet preparedness kit. Keep in mind that everyone’s pet preparedness kits should be different depending on the size and breed of the animal…but it should have the basics like food, water, and medications.

I was reminiscing about my deployment during Hurricane Katrina/Rita in 2005 – our Task Force saw SO many abandoned pets in Louisiana’s Lower 9th Ward.

In case of an emergency or disaster, PLEASE take the time to prepare/evacuate with your pets as they are part of your family.

For more information on how you can put together your pet preparedness kit, check out this free FEMA Ready.Gov link on pet preparedness.

For those wondering, Kacy is a rescue dog. Best. Dog. Ever.

Special thanks to my dog Kacy for helping out in today’s preparedness post. #woof

@rusnivek

3 days of food per person for your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 14, 2014 by rusnivek

The start of the third week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Starting this week out with the good stuff!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#14: Shelf stable foods (like MREs) for 3 days/person MUST be in your preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

MREs or Meals Ready to Eat are really the “gold standard” in preparedness efforts. Now, I know what you’re thinking….gold standard = delicious. However, that is furthest from the truth. They are not as delicious as you think.

It would be worth noting that each of these MREs pack a whopping 2,200 calories. The idea behind the high calorie count is that a person who is working at maximum capacity (at war) does not have time to casually sit and enjoy three different meals a day. In just one meal, the MRE has relatively enough calories to push you through the day with only one “sitting”.

My “favorites” include

Chicken and rice
Pork with rice in BBQ sauce
Spaghetti with Meat & sauce

My MRE I really try to avoid?

Chicken Ala King
Beef Stew
Tuna with noodles

If you have never opened or used an MRE before, it would behoove you to do so before a disaster. For starters, there is a heating pack to warm your main entrée up (aka Flameless ration heater). This does require water for the thermal reaction to take place.

Also seasonings like tabasco sauce, Xylitol chewing gum, and a moist towelette are considered to be the most sought after pieces of each MRE. Use/trade them sparingly.

If you decide to go an alternate route and purchase a heater meal type or a bunch of Vienna sausage, make sure you try these products out before you have to use them during an emergency. Know your emergency supplies and rotate them out regularly.

Gaaahhhhh! So many things to remember, but if you start out simple and check your food for three days per person…you’ll have your kit ready and be better prepared for an emergency.

@rusnivek

Wednesday meetings at FEMA #SURINDC

Posted on August 1, 2014 by rusnivek

As usual, I always make it a point to stop by FEMA HQ to meet with a few friends and teams working the FEMA magic.

First stop was to see the crew leading the Ready Campaign. Lots to discuss including the measure of preparedness and how we can more heavily promote preparedness digitally within each community. We constantly need to access our information that we are pushing and additionally make sure that the information is specific and actionable…esp during a disaster.

The general public seeks solid information FROM MOBILE DEVICES during an emergency. We cannot convolute the message, it must be clear and concise.

Did you know FEMA’s Ready.Gov program was featured at the White House Innovation for Disaster Response Recovery Event on Tuesday during the presentation by Appallicious? Check out the event and pictures here.

Mobile platforms must be easy to navigate and less cluttered. Almost everything is read on mobile platforms right? Duh! Esp since you can’t take/turn on your desktop computer while you are evacuating to an emergency.

Between meetings, I usually find a moment to take a funny picture with the hard-working FEMA pro, my friend Jana. She. Is. Hilarious.

Short meeting with the Digital Team at FEMA to discuss social media efforts and promoting great programs like FEMA’s SocialHub and Twitter Alerts.

But seriously, make sure you turn on your Twitter Alerts to get pertinent messaging from FEMA. It can be done from your mobile phone and it takes seconds to do.

In the coming months, we will be exploring a few classes that we can help cross promote a few programs. And I hope I get chosen to teach the class at FEMA HQ.

End of the day was spent chilling in the Executive Administration side of the house. And of course trying to catch a few moments with Craig.

Whew…what a day!

@rusnivek

Soooo, I’ll be in Washington DC next week…

Posted on July 25, 2014 by rusnivek

A quick update on next week’s trip to Washington DC aka my official invite to the White House…

I have been invited by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and The National Security Council (NSC) to attend the White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014. Workshops in the morning and the event in the afternoon (Social Media, User-Centered Designs, and Predictive Analytics).

Additionally, I’ll be taking in a few other meetings with response and preparedness agencies including DoD, DHS, and FEMA. Alphabet soup gang huh?

Am I nervous? Yep. I’m just hoping I don’t throw up on important people.

I’m totes excited.

Suit up!

…

Event: White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative on Tuesday July 29, 2014

This event will bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, and members of the disaster response community to showcase tools that will make a tangible impact in the lives of survivors of large-scale emergencies. The White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative was first launched by the Administration in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to find the most effective ways technology can empower survivors, first responders, and local, state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government with critical information and resources.

Free tips: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors #NWS #Lightning #safety

Posted on June 23, 2014 by rusnivek

This week is National Lightning Safety Week.

It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe especially during thunder and lightning

Here’s a few free tips you can use to prepare for severe weather like lightning:

At any hint of thunder and/or lightning, move quickly to a safe shelter area. Remember the phrase: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Immediately postpone all outdoor activities for everyone…including adults!
Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Break out your emergency preparedness kit and see if all flashlights are working. If not, get them in working order.
Charge all of your mobile devices including your cell phone now before the power goes out.

To get up to the minute updates during the Thunderstorm:

Use your battery operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from the National Weather Service.

And after the storm passes, take these precautions as you survey the damage around your house:

Do NOT touch downed power lines. Assume all lines are charged and dangerous. Call your emergency services to handle safe removal of lines.
Power out? Check the power company’s website from your mobile smart phone to see who else doesn’t have power here.

Feel free to share these tips with your neighbors throughout the year.

@rusnivek

Participating in FEMA’s #PrepareAthon Google Hangout #Prepared2014

Posted on April 7, 2014 by rusnivek

Participating in the White House Google Hangout now.

Glad to see engagement from numerous agencies especially Craig Fugate (@CraigAtFEMA) and Paulette Aniskoff (@PAniskoff44).

…and Paulette Aniskoff just asked my question.

And Craig responded.

Holy. Balls.

@rusnivek