Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Last day of #preparedness talks in Georgia in Glynn County

Posted on April 27, 2017 by rusnivek

Another great day in Georgia talking about preparedness to various pros.

Special thanks to Glynn County (GA) EMA Director Jay Wiggins for hosting the class…

…and special thanks to Laura Ginn who coordinated efforts on behalf of everyone in City, County, and State of Georgia.

Glad to see so many participants here to learn but more importantly, share information and challenges and success stories they found within their community. Espically when it comes to senior care and supportive care – these issues need to be talked about openly and various members of family and staff need to be aware of challenges they may face when disaster strikes.

Aside from www.ready.gov program – there are a ton of other agencies to follow to ascertain great and trusted information.

Remember, a short time ago, this entire area was hit by Hurricane Matthew with MANDATORY evacuations.

Building these kinds of relationships before a disaster can only strengthen our efforts in response and recovery.

Plus, it’s super awesome to hang with like-minded individuals who are so dedicated to preparedness.

Be safe peeps!

@rusnivek

The 2016 NMHSEM State Conference

Posted on August 29, 2016 by rusnivek

Breaking down Winter Weather Hazards today at the state of New Mexico 2016 Homeland Security and Emergency Management Conference.

Solid bunch of preparedness and response peeps in the audience today.

Even had the pros from the NWS-Albuquerque staff here too.

Great discussion so far, excited for in-class activity this afternoon.

@rusnivek

State of Ohio EMA new Joint Information Center class in #SummitCounty #JIC #JIS #PIO #ESF15

Posted on May 5, 2016 by rusnivek

Rolling out the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s new G0291: Joint Information Centers (JIC) / Joint Information System (JIS) Planning for Tribal, state, and Local PIOs. Luckily, we were in the Command and Control room at the Summit County Health Department.

Command Control room…aka DOC

As always, its great teaching with Sister Michael Marie. Outstanding experiences and great stories from her international work in challenging areas of the world.

Even OEMA was checking in on our progress!

#truelove for us Emergency Management Instructors.

Sister Michael showcased the importance of all-hazard PIO involvement in emergency response to a natural hazard.

Everyone was able to share experiences and help each other improve – esp thinking outside the box on various scenarios.

By the end of this in-class activity, our participants realized that there are so many parts to a “simple disaster” that it pays to build partnerships early.

It’s all hands working in an emergency – so build your relationships early before a disaster.

Remember: At 0300, you ugly, you smell, you stink – and clearly that’s not the best time to meet new people and to function in an emergency at 110%.

“As Emergency Management, we must continue to nurture solid working relationships and common response/recovery objectives with our all-hazards partners in public safety.” – @rusnivek

Best part? At the end of the class, they all applauded.

slow-clap

Awwww yeah!

When was the last time a class applauded your Emergency Management NIMS ICS compliant class?

Heh.

As always, it’s great to teach with OEMA Instructor and consummate professional Sister Michael Marie.

There is so much going on in this picture. I can’t even.

I’m just glad to be a part of something big.

@rusnivek

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

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.

And when the Horry County Office of Emergency Management deems your presentation “on fleek” – *swoon*

Mahalos Brooke!

Many thanks to the team at the City of Myrtle Beach. Special Alohas to EM Rockstar Allison and Senior Planner Diane for the invite.

Preaching the good word about Disaster Recovery in South Carolina!

Looking forward to next year!

@rusnivek

DaD for a quick TTE for SM #ESF15 #PIO

Posted on September 30, 2015 by rusnivek

I had a great time with the Northeast Ohio Public Information Officers (NEO-PIOs) who sat for a quick down and dirty (DaD) Table Top Exercise (TTE) designed around on a social media (SM) module (MOD). OMG.

Various topics discussed:

Messaging during the preparedness phase
Escalation of incident criteria
Response messaging and verbiage
Essential platforms and communication methods
Dispelling rumors
Actionable social media data
Critical JIC/JIS positions during initial EOC activation
Metadata for threat hazard analysis

Lots of fun esp various discussions on platforms and reach.

Public Information Specialist @ThingsToShea and Public Information Officer @TomsDarren work to craft specific emergency alert messages in the preparedness phase #NatlPrep

Heavy debate on the use of mass notification systems…

@ClevelandFire Public Information Officer Gray & @LakeCoHealth Public Information Officer Cole collaborating on preparedness messages specifically for Instagram & Vine #NatlPrep

…and their true reach/effectiveness of messaging.

Summit County Public Information Officer @jamesp501 discussing multi-platform information dissemination for preparedness & evacuation #NatlPrep

Discussion on simplicity and concise messaging for those we serve before, during, and after an emergency.

BAM – solid Tuesday afternoon with my peeps!

Yups, I can’t thank these ESF-15 characters enough.

(From L to R): Pollack, Cole, Sur, Gray, and Toms.

Mahalos my friends!

@rusnivek

Building new relationships on a Tuesday #NatlPrep

Posted on September 29, 2015 by rusnivek

The last Tuesday in the 2015 National Preparedness Month!

Today, look to building new relationships.

Normally, we don’t look outside the realm of daily public safety. It’s easy to talk to Fire/EMS, Law Enforcement, or Public Works Professionals. However, new discussion needs to happen between individuals who can support our mission goals or some unmet needs.

Faith-based organizations are great groups to explore new activities to support your community. In varying degrees, faith-based organizations have the capabilities to support disaster response and recovery operations with food, shelter, and supportive measures. But again, the key is to open discussions BEFORE a disaster so you can evaluate their capability.

Additionally, talk to your local politicians…esp if they are an active part of your Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). These civic-minded individuals have most likely gone through additional preparedness training and can be a great resource for anyone.

Trust me, these are the kinds of people you want to be in close contact with before, during, or after an emergency/disaster.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

Get to know some new local peeps!

Tuesday is here – so get prepared by clicking here.

@rusnivek

Day-2 of the 2015 Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management conference for the Disaster Recovery course

Posted on September 10, 2015 by rusnivek

Second and final day of Disaster Recovery here at the Kentucky Governor’s Emergency Management Conference. As the lead instructor, it’s game time peeps!

I started the class out with some FEMA videos on the #Katrina10 recovery operation ongoing for Louisiana. They encompassed topics like whole community, public-private partnership, Faith-based organizations, and of course Fire/EMS public safety from SBPFD.

I then started laying the groundwork in the class for the end of day capstone recovery exercise.

But before lunch, I was requested to instruct in the adjacent room and teach the live video section of the KY Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) Course for Mike and Buddy. Addressing platforms and uses for situational awareness/common operating picture.

Nice to see some new PIOs in front of a camera. They did fairly well.

After lunch, we did some work with forms and cost recovery with Judge Bertram.

Overall, everyone had a great time learning and collaborating ideas for future Post Disaster Recovery plans. I’m looking forward to seeing Kentucky’s success in their enhanced recovery process now.

Special thanks to the Kentucky Emergency Management Office, KESC, and Ohio EMA for the invite and allowance to speak to all 38 Emergency Management Directors, 2 EM coordinators, 1 EM planner, 1 USAR, 1 lawyer, and 1 county executive. I’m also so glad to have the largest class at the conference too.

In anticipation for AlohaFridays, they broke out their best Aloha on a Thursday afternoon…Just. For. Me.

My new peeps! Reporting live from Kentucky…

@rusnivek

Created and designed and now piloting the new SM

Posted on June 18, 2015 by rusnivek

I rolled out my new FEMA presentation for FEMA Region-4 peeps at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.

At this time, this course is the semi-final pilot so I’m almost there!

Obvs, I had to incorporate a great preparedness campaign from my friends at the CDC. Have you heard of their preparedness campaign before? It costed the CDC a killer $87 (Get it? I’m so punny).

How about them Zombies?

Classroom activities make it easier for our all-hazards partners to come up with good messaging during preparedness, response, and recovery.

Shared experiences and open discussion amongst public safety providers allows for solid social media solutions to be developed for many common issues.

Participants use various hardware and software platforms to complete each assigned performance-based task. This showcases the spectrum of social media that spans hardware and software differences.

Final will be presented for certification in August in FEMA Region-9 at the State of California Emergency Operations Center located in Sacramento.

So nervous! But seriously, I’m so excited for this project, I can’t even…

@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