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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

FREE Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 #HAZMAT #ERG

Posted on April 27, 2016 by rusnivek

Morning peeps –

Here’s the new 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 for FREE

***CLICK HERE***

Consider downloading on all your computers, laptops, mobile data terminals (MDTs), tablets, and mobile devices.

#HAZMAT #ERG

@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

Using ICS for wildfires and NIMS common terminology #NatlPrep

Posted on September 11, 2015 by rusnivek

CalFire is working a coordinated ICS system to support ground operations #NatlPrep

As you guessed, CalFire has followed NIMS ICS for decades. Based out of McClellan Airfield, they can coordinate tanker/tender operations.

If you’ve ever been in command of an emergency or disaster, it’s hard to coordinate everyone together. This is why it is imperative to collaborate before an emergency. With wildfire operations, you have so many intricate parts over such a vast area – it really is a well orchestrated response.

Providing safety for all professionals is a must. To all the responders out in the field, keep up the good work!

Continue being vigilant in safety peeps.

For those that need some help w/ resource identification and why it’s so important, here’s a quick example of common terminology is SO important these days.

These are TANKERS

These are TENDERS

Get it? Got it? Good.

**If you still don’t get it, please review IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-300, and ICS-400.

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

@rusnivek

This DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) makes large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

Posted on September 8, 2015 by rusnivek

Specialty aircraft like this DC-10 (aka 10 Tanker Air Carrier) make large drops possible #NatlPrep #VLAT

I got a chance to see this aircraft up close when I was at McClellan airport.

It’s amazing how air professionals can take older resources and make them into something that can help so many.

Making sure we expend all resources and their effectiveness is key for any emergency or disaster response.

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

@rusnivek

See, government does have a sense of humor!

Posted on August 11, 2015 by rusnivek

My friends at @FEMA –

See, government DOES have a sense of humor.

Bonus points for the fed emoticons in the twitter reply too. #Nooice

@rusnivek

Spent my day with my hometown CERT

Posted on July 12, 2015 by rusnivek

Spent my day volunteering with my hometown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

On arrival, I thought I was going to get assigned a different task, but logistics and parking was the identified main concern and safety was an issue.

After I got briefed on the event, I discussed our situation with all the participants. As CERT, we coordinated our efforts so that our actions/tactics could best match the safety of our personnel as well as others who were there attending the event.

I briefed the Mayor on our ongoing operations and even looked at a few alternate plans.

Of course we continued to assess our event and think about other safety measures.

And of course we had a few moments to share a smile.

Fun fact, our Council President and Safety Chair is also a proud founding member of my awesome CERT Team. Booya!

Seriously, I love it when elected members of local government give back to their community.

We identified a few issues that will need to be made for the 2016 event (like a formal all-hazards traffic plan with maps, uniformed vests, pre-event plan dissemination/distribution, more participation, etc…). Maybe a formal Incident Action Plan (IAP). Fairly easy stuff that we would be happy to share w/ our constituents.

Wait….What? You have never heard of FEMA’s CERT program before? Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

More info can be found on FEMA’s website here.

Want to volunteer within your own community? Want to make a difference in your community? Click here to locate the closest CERT Team to you!

As always, I believe I can make a difference in my community. Fun fact: I’ve been volunteering with my CERT since 2007.

I hope you will do the same.

@rusnivek

EMS Zoom ZOOM! More like no-NO! #SlowTheEffDownNOW #Paramedic #EMT

Posted on June 30, 2015 by rusnivek

EMS call – yes!

faster – Faster – FASTER!!!!

But I am sure this GoPro footage is being reviewed by all the bosses.

I can’t image that they’d be happy to see this.

Also, that siren is weird too.

Just keep in mind, if EMS doesn’t even make it to the scene because of their own reckless crash, who will treat the patient?

Duh.

Safety first peeps.

@rusnivek