DHS requesting social media info revision on ESTA and I-94W forms

Posted on August 11, 2016 by rusnivek

Interesting to see that DHS is requesting a question be added to the ESTA and into the I-94W English (11-11) FINAL (reference only) form.

Please enter information associated with your online presence—Provider/Platform—Social media identifier. It will be an optional data field to request social media identifiers to be used for vetting purposes, as well as applicant contact information. Collecting social media data will enhance the existing investigative process and provide DHS greater clarity and visibility to possible nefarious activity and connections by providing an additional tool set which analysts and investigators may use to better analyze and investigate the case.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date with a change to the information collected as a result of adding a question about social media to ESTA and to Form I-94W, as described in the Abstract section of this document. There are no changes to the burden hours or to the information collected on Form I-94, or the I-94 Web site.

Type of Review: Revision.

Affected Public: Individuals, Carriers, and the Travel and Tourism Industry.

Interesting.

@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

Waving along on the new SM app ANCHOR!

Posted on April 26, 2016 by rusnivek

Playing around on a new social media app called Anchor!

Basically, I think it’s a audio twitter.

Unsure on the viability of the platform yet. There might be some huge problems w/ 508 compliance and searching is going to be tough unless you get Siri to listen better and help discern specifics.

First blush? I’m not excited by it.

I know you think I like everything. But I don’t.

Anyone else on Anchor!?

I’ll keep you posted as I test and wave along.

@rusnivek

Final FEMA review of the new social media courses #NDPTC

Posted on August 14, 2015 by rusnivek

I popped back-to-back-to-back social media classes last week in Sacramento, California.

Participants from all over the west coast attended. Specifically for Thursday and Friday, FEMA reviewed our new curriculum courses. Yep, straight up evaluation. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Ongoing for course design, I will make a few more additions/changes before courses are sent to the National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) for certification. Hoping for final approval in November 2015. Hope to hear the magical words “Federally published” as my course is listed in the DHS / FEMA Training catalog. Whoa Nellie!

For the classes? We had great interaction from all participants.

Solid discussions during the breakout sessions included professionals from all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) as well as experts from the National Weather Service (NWS), Critical Infrastructure, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), etc… Diverse groups make for the best discussions for sure!

As part of our continued efforts in Emergency Management, it is imperative that we address issues from the All-Hazards approach and incorporate the support of our stakeholders in solutions.

With heavy discussion, class participants had a great time engaging with others and using tools/techniques that are specific to the Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Directorates. Obviously, I showcased the importance of a good Public Information Officer (PIO) / Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and how their interaction in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) is imperative to a successful emergency or disaster.

Also, starting to build an online learning library that can be easily accessed from anywhere using the #NDPTC is always good reference. Free. My favorite F-word.

Special mahalos to fellow Instructors Cheryl and MaryJo in the delivery of these courses.

Also the solid smiles from fellow #SMEM Jennifer and Scott was crucial support on this delivery.

Glad to be working with partners like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Truly great to see everyone working collaboratively. Thanks to the Sacramento County Emergency Management for hosting these courses.

Looking forward to the next class at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conference in Clark County, Nevada. See you there!

@rusnivek

Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

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