National Call to Action Day! Thanks to @PrepareAthon @ReadyGov 

Take a few minutes to commit to being ready for disasters that may threaten your community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region V office in Chicago, Ill., is encouraging everyone to take part in America’s PrepareAthon! National Day of Action on April 30 and consider doing at least one activity to improve your resilience to potential disasters.

“Spring in the Midwest can bring a heightened risk for severe weather, so it’s even more critical for people to get ready now,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Be proactive, and engage your family, friends and neighbors in one of the many simple ways to prepare for emergencies.”

Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit your city and/or county website to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. You should also ensure your cell phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area. And always heed the weather warnings from your local National Weather Service Office (NWS).

Download the free FEMA app to get and stay prepared: Access disaster safety tips, an emergency kit list, emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters. Text ANDROID or APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA) and receive a link for download.

Follow preparedness agencies on Twitter like @FEMA  @FEMARegion5 @Ohio_EMA @rusnivek @ReadyGov @PrepareAthon @CraigatFEMA for quick information and regularly posted preparedness tips.

Develop and test emergency communications plans. Visit www.Ready.gov/plan-for-your-risks for tips on how to ensure your plan is as comprehensive as possible.

Assemble or update emergency supplies. Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit for a disaster supply checklist. Don’t forget to store additional supply kits in your car and at the office too.

Collect and safeguard critical documents. Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, such as a bank safe deposit box.

These easy preparedness steps takes seconds to complete. 

  

Be a part of the 2015 National Call to Action and be prepared for any disaster or emergency.

@rusnivek


4 regions in March 2015

March has turned into a gigantic month!

First week, I’ll be in Kansas (Region-7).

Second week, I’ll be in Pennsylvania (Region-3).

Third week, I’ll be in Ohio…more specifically rolling out a brand new social media course for FEMA in Cincinnati (Region-5).

Fourth week, I’ll be in southern Ohio teaching more PIO stuff for health departments (still in Region-5).

Fifth week, I’ll be in Kentucky (Region-4).

I’m trying to squeeze in a tactical course w/ the lads from ICE somewhere in there, but I’m not making any promises.

March is indeed a busy month.

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Are we there yet?

@rusnivek

 

3 Regions in February 2015

Freakin February! Looks like a busy busy month!
First week I’ll be in Region-6 teaching in Texas.
Second week, I’ll be breaking it down in Region-4 at the 2015 International Disaster Conference & Expo in New Orleans.
Third week, we will swing back to Region-5 to O-H-I-O and teaching in Cincinnati, Columbus, Geneva, New Philadelphia, and Medina.
Throw in a Workshop with the FBI and my very first #Hackathon – February is going to be a crazy month.

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Bring it February.

@rusnivek

OMG – Hello January 2015!

Hello 2015! After a nice 2014 holiday season, 2015 seems to be filling up fast.

First few weeks include special projects in with FEMA Region-9 and Region-5. In fact, next week I have to update a few friends at the White House (I better turn my spell Check on). Third and fourth week will be NIMS/ICS training in southern Ohio.

Sometime in January, I should complete my special commerce project for my Ohio peeps. All-hazards right?

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Happy New Year everyone – wishing you a prosperous 2015!

@rusnivek

Busy December for 5 and 3 and 9 but no on 10

After a busy November, let’s continue the push hard into December please!

This Wednesday, I’ll be headed to Michigan to teach with FEMA Region-5 on continuity.

Upon the return to Ohio, I’ll make the quick turnaround and head down to southern Ohio/West Virginia to teach ICS-300. A double serving of Region-5 and Region-3.

Then head to Fulton County, Ohio (Toledo area) to teach a Basic PIO course with my favorite PIOs in the biz. Back in Region-5 baby!

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The Oregon trip was canceled so No Region-10 for me. Boooooooooooooooo. But ongoing through December, I have two priority special projects for R9 and R5 that need to close too. So no futzing around!

December summary: Yes on 5, 3, and 9…but no on 10.

I’m just hoping to spend some family time sometime. Happy holidays everyone!

@rusnivek

Well….that was fun

Well…that was fun.

Giving a few tips on Ebola safety/preparedness was quite…interesting.

ebolaaaa

I decided I couldn’t respond to the entire world’s Ebola concerns, but responding to those in the general vicinity would be more social because I’m local to the area in the geocode.

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I did a simple geolocation on all the tweets, using DT Cleveland as center (N: 41.502715 x W: -81.695709) in a 62 mile circular radius that specifically used the term “ebola” in tweets/responses.

Easy Cheesey huh?

Wash your hands peeps.

@rusnivek

October assignments to R5 and R4

After delivering classes in Region-5 and Region-3 last month, I’ll finally make it back to Region-4…in Kentucky!

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The September intel training didn’t happen. Maybe I’ll have to reschedule that for December.

As usual, the bulk of the month will be spent in Region-5.

I’ll be heading down to the State of Ohio PIO Symposium this Friday. Will I see you there?

@rusnivek

 

September assignments to R5 & R3 – Also #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

After hopping around Region V in August, I’ll be able to stretch out a bit and swing east into Region-3. The September intel training class in DC will be rescheduled and (hoping that it’ll) get moved to the Pentagon.

At this time, it is Pennsylvania, Maryland, and back in Ohio for September.

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The outlook for October has a wider spread as I have been assigned to Region-V, Region-IV, and Region-III.

Keep smiling because it’s 2014 National Preparedness Month! (MY FAVORITE MONTH)

@rusnivek