Tag Archives: training

All-Hazards participants in today’s class in South Dakota

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Here for the class today. Numerous all-hazards responders including US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), US Forestry Service, FireAttack T-1/2 AHIMTs, local law enforcement, infrastructure, utilities, public safety comms, PIOs, healthcare, Tribal agencies, and Emergency Management professionals from South Dakota.


Nothing gets in the way of good training!


In breaking for lunch just now, participants asked if the fella over there with the hella good hair had any Taylor Swift.

Yes, I’m a very accommodating instructor – no problem!


Reporting live from the EOC…FEMA Region-8 baby!
@rusnivek

OEMA Basic Public Information Officer training – camera time!

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Aside from the great classroom learning and building of networks, the on camera interviews are always hard to prep.

Our Basic Public Information Officers Course helps those who have NEVER been in front of a camera, actually see themselves.


We do on-camera interviews. Yep. Camera time! Members from local Fire Departments participated.


This included Chief Fire Officers from the suburbs too.


Agents from the ATF spoke very well.


Staff from USCG District 9 in Buffalo.


And of course members from the local law enforcement too.


Classroom critiques are always difficult to watch, but that kind of constructive evaluation helps those PIOs become better communications professionals.

I encourage all PIOs and PAOs to train regularly in front of a camera.

Special thanks to former WKYC reporter Kristin Anderson on her input too.


Never know when the local media will need a statement of your ongoing operations.

Looking forward to the next OEMA PIO Course!

@rusnivek

National disaster or major significant event? Turn off your scheduled posts and tweets!

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Quick social media note: During a national crisis/event, turn off your scheduled posts/tweets.

Last night, I watched as numerous agencies continue (or forget) to stop their auto scheduling programs last night. C’mon, I talk about that in class! If you don’t turn off your auto posts/tweets, your constituents and consumers will perceive you as being insensitive to the current events.

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After the horrific shooting at the Aurora, Colorado Theatres on 07-19-14, NRA social media team autoposted this tweet via HootSuite on 07-20-14. Tweet was viewed as inappropriate as shootings/gun violence/tragedy was the major discussion of the day. Tweet was perceived as inappropriate and insensitive.

After all, social media is about being social and talking about #trending topics right? (Think of it as a digital water cooler)

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After the Boston Bombing incident, many brands and organizations expressed thoughts and prayers for those involved in this egregious tragedy. Public perception? Simple and thoughtful.

Now I know what you are saying – “But national events don’t play any part in our daily operations.” WRONG!, your image is based on perception and being mindful or relevant to a national event will help your readers embrace your greater good.

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Now what is considered a national event? Well, that is for your organization to decide. My opinion? I would err on the side of conservative judgment.

@rusnivek

Starting out – NIMS and ICS online classes

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If you are getting started in taking a few National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS) classes, you’ve come to the right place! Best part about the classes below? They are all online, available 24/7/365, and can be done for free.

Here’s a list of recommended Incident Command System (ICS) classes according to the 2008 requirements.

1. ICS-100.b: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)

2. ICS-700.a: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

3. ICS-200.b: ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents

4. ICS-800.b: National Response Framework, An Introduction

After you complete the courses above, let me know so I can recommend the next steps in training.

BTW-You even get a certificate when you successfully complete the above class and post tests.

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@rusnivek

 

Shake-shake-shake…shake your #Earthquake #EQ #ShakeOut

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Recently, we have seen a great increase in earthquakes across the country. From small to extremely large earthquakes, we should all be prepared – so I highly recommend that you participate in today’s Earthquake ShakeOut training/exercise/drill.

So on Thursday October 16, 2014 at 10:16am – practice your earthquake safety procedures with 9 other states in our region using these three easy steps:

Drop-Cover-and-Hold-On

1. DROP to the ground

2. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk, if possible, and protect your head and neck

3. HOLD ON until the shaking stops

Following these 3 easy steps will help protect and you during an earthquake.

ShakeOut is coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

See, even the cool kids are doing it.

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@rusnivek

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

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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