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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

New Ohio EMA Director named

Posted on January 8, 2015 by rusnivek

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2015

Contact: Joe Andrews, ODPS Communications Director, (614) 466-4344

NEW OHIO EMA DIRECTOR NAMED

(COLUMBUS) – Evan W. Schumann was named Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) today by Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) Director John Born. He will replace Sima Merick who was named interim director in December.

Mr. Schumann is currently the Program Manager for Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1) which is the State of Ohio’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force stationed in Dayton and also one of the 28 US&R Task Forces in FEMA’s National US&R System. Under Mr. Schumann’s leadership, OH-TF1 personnel have responded to many disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the Haiti earthquake, mudslides in Washington and flooding in Colorado. Mr. Schumann is well versed in all aspects of state and national emergency management systems.

“The State of Ohio is fortunate to be able to find an emergency management professional with Mr. Schumann’s qualifications here in our own state,” said ODPS Director John Born. “I look forward to working with him to make the state safer for all Ohioans.”

Among his duties, Mr. Schumann will be furthering the implementation of ODPS’s 4/72 Project that provides basic life needs for people impacted by a disaster within four hours of the incident and sustainable for 72 hours. He will also work with the Safer Ohio Teams concept to coordinate emergency response by local and state responders.

Mr. Schumann holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Norwich University and Bachelor and Master Degrees in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is the state’s coordinating agency for emergency response throughout the state. In the event of an emergency anywhere in the state, EMA can assemble state agencies at its headquarters near Columbus and coordinate assets available through these agencies in order to get supplies, personnel and equipment where it is needed in a timely manner.

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Even the pros train and test emergency plans! #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 25, 2014 by rusnivek

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

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

ThirstyThursdays…I mean TestingThursdays continues!

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

#25: Just like you, the professionals train and test their emergency plans. #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

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“The State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center is participating in the annual power plant training” Photo cred: Ohio Emergency Management Agency, (Columbus) 09/23/14

It is an essential part of your plan…actually doing it!

This was the view of the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center where numerous emergency management agencies across the state participated in a multi-agency all-hazards annual power plant training. This training was evaluated by FEMA Region-V.

See, even the professionals train too!

Keep up the great work!

@rusnivek

Powerful recruitment tool for terrorist groups #SMEM

Posted on September 6, 2014 by rusnivek

Quote for today by the US State Department:

“The State Department regards social media as a powerful recruitment tool for terrorist groups…”

Peeps! Know the power of social media and use your social media powers for good.

The latest offering from the US State Department – Think Again Turn Away

Counter bad stuff and show the truth about this evil group

Always remember DHS’ line, See Something, Say Something

@rusnivek

Your emergency USB drive #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 5, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s the first Friday, the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Easy right? My goal is to provide actionable information so that you can better prepare you and your family.

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.

#5: Use a small USB drive includes all key emergency documents & family communications plan #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

These ubiquitous USB drives (aka thumb drives, jump drives, memory sticks, etc…) are so easy to find. Best part? These things are cheap! You can easily find 16G for $2…which is WAY more storage that you’d ever need to store your documents in an emergency.

What to keep stored on this jump drive? Scanned or digital copies of your:

Family Communication Plan (that also includes an out-of-state contact)
Driver’s License/State Identification card
Passport
Social security card
Birth Certificates
Home Insurance card
Auto Insurance card
Credit card(s)
Copies of a recent bank statements
High resolution pictures of your family and individual pictures.

As you pack your one ounce USB drive, don’t forget to put it in an airtight freezer ziplock type bag. Your electronic equipment does not like getting wet.

The cost of these USB drives are so low, that it behooves you to use easy technology now to better leverage your position in a disaster. Because you won’t have time to copy/transfer these documents during a rapid evacuation, now is the time to be prepared.

Keeping good documentation for your family is one of the most important parts of reconnecting with family during and after a disaster.

@rusnivek

Great start to today’s OEMA social media class

Posted on August 27, 2014 by rusnivek

Another great morning here at the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center.

Various agencies from all over the state in attendance at today’s social media class.

Special thanks to Ohio EMA Assistant Director Sima Merick for the welcome message.

Now to break down more info and tools on how effective PIOs (Public Information Officers) or PAOs (Public Affair Officers) engage on social media.

Excited to be instructing a bunch of PIOs today.

@rusnivek

All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding

Posted on August 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.

I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.

Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).

Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.

IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.

Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.

@rusnivek

Doggie paddle heading to Columbus

Posted on August 11, 2014 by rusnivek

After a busy morning immersed in a contaminated water AAR, I will be submerging myself this afternoon into flood management.

Heh.

Teaching flood stuff at the State EOC on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

@rusnivek

First delivery of EM Terrorism class in Ohio

Posted on August 9, 2014 by rusnivek

On Friday, I got a chance to teach one of the first Emergency Management Terrorism Courses on behalf of the State of Ohio.

Lots to add in 2014 because the class was last updated in 2005.

Also got a chance to see this weirdo too.

Happy birthday FC Steve Bosso.

Special thanks to Summa Health Training Officer Games Gish and all the crews from Summa Health for the great hospitality.

@rusnivek

Presenting at PEMA statewide conference in September

Posted on August 5, 2014 by rusnivek

Looks like I’ll be presenting Public Information Officer (PIO) / Social Media stuff at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) statewide conference in September.

Region-III baby!