Preparedness class today at HCEMHS

Great class today with the pros from Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security.


Diverse two classes of participants with spirited discussion on preparedness and resilience.


Great to be teaching in a familiar EOC again.


Speaking of preparedness – Don’t forget that September is just a few short weeks away – National Preparedness Month!!!!!

Don’t forget, because it’s my favorite month.

#NatlPrep

@rusnivek

BWC + Ohio EMS +Ohio SFM = free #Firefighter transition certification training

FISCAL YEAR 2017 STATE FIRE MARSHAL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER I TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND APPLICATION
Thanks to a generous allocation of funds from the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is pleased to announce the availability of the Volunteer Firefighter I Training Grant. This grant provides funding in State Fiscal Year 2017 (ending June 30, 2017) to pay for the costs of providing Firefighter I or Firefighter I Transition certification courses free of charge to select students by SFM approved class providers.

FY17+BWC+SFM+Volunteer+FFI+Training+Grant+package

FISCAL YEAR 2017 STATE FIRE MARSHAL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER I TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND APPLICATION
Thanks to a generous allocation of funds from the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is pleased to announce the availability of the Volunteer Firefighter I Training Grant. This grant provides funding in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2017 (ending June 30, 2017) to pay for the costs of providing Firefighter I or Firefighter I Transition certification courses free of charge to select students by SFM approved class providers. By partnering with eligible class providers, it is the goal of the SFM to ease the costs to local governments, promote shared services and broaden the availability of these courses throughout the state. Grant funding is limited to $454,711.44 state-wide and will be dispersed to compliant course providers on a first come first serve basis. “Select students” are volunteer firefighters affiliated, as members, with fire departments that pay premiums (or local jurisdictions that pay on behalf of the fire department) to the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation state insurance fund in accordance with Section 4123.35 of the Revised Code and are otherwise in compliance with the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation regulations (“compliant fire departments”).

Now go and get your Fire/Rescue Department some free training!

@rusnivek

My Dad started his Neighborhood Watch Program!

I’m proud of my Dad who setup his Neighborhood Watch Program.

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Dad has been planning this for months now and even posted signs to get everyone involved. Because inviting and talking with the entire neighborhood about safety related topics are the key points of the Neighborhood Watch program. Also, my Dad went big – he blocked off the entire cul-de-sac for his event!

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Honolulu Fire Station-30 (Engine-30 & Ladder-30) stopped by to share some safety tips and what to do during an emergency.

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Ladder-30 showcased their equipment for everyone to see.

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Talked about ventilation saws for trench cuts and vertical cuts for fires.

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Also talked about extrication tools and generators for car accidents and confined space rescue.

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All the kids in the neighborhood got a chance to try out the headsets used for communications in the apparatus.

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Honolulu Police stopped by too.

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Even a surprise flyby thanks to Honolulu Fire Air-1 Helicopter.

In the end, this kind of neighborhood program is truly the basis of a safer community.

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Education, particularly teaching kids during an emergency, how to call 9-1-1 is crucial to a safe community.

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My Dad volunteered to do this. Yep, not paid. Just doing his part to keep his neighborhood and community safe. LOVE IT!

There are many other volunteer programs showcased by DHS/FEMA’s awesome Ready.Gov campaign on safety. Just like my Dad, I volunteer too with my community’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) aka RH-CERT.

Whether you are a part of your own Neighborhood Watch Program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Volunteers in Police Service (ViPS), Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), Fire Corps, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), etc…all of these civic based programs are so important to the fabric for the safety of our community across this great country.

So proud of my Dad!

@rusnivek

I’m in Kentucky to teach y’all!

I’m in Kentucky to teach y’all!

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Glad to see my friend Emory again.

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Emory was instrumental in getting training and education for my class at the 2015 Kentucky Governor’s Conference.

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2015 Kentucky Governor’s Conference

I’m glad to support everyone in and around Metcalfe County.

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BTW, if you were wondering, they prefer their ambulances looking all traditional governmental with orange and white paint scheme.

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Great class with lots of questions and social media actions.

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And of course, it was Friday so….

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#SquadGoals

@rusnivek

 

 

 

Another great Ohio EMA Basic #PIO course at Independence Fire

Great Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) class with so many brand new Public Information Officers (PIOs).


Special thanks to Fire Chief Steve Rega and Assistant Fire Chief Wheeler and all of Independence Fire for hosting this great all-hazard course.


Oh you know me. Just doing my share reppin Ohio EMA…


…in helping everyone understand EOC Operations and the importance of a Joint Information Center (JIC) that regularly engages on social media.


Additionally, I love pushing the classic Emergency Management mantra of getting everyone to work together BEFORE an incident is a hallmark of sucess.


Bonus, I got to hang with one of my favorite PIOs – Erica Creech (aka Mama PIO)!


I can’t wait to work with so many of you in the near future.

@rusnivek

Presenting at the DHS FEMA 2016 National Training & Exercise Symposium

Heading out to teach at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) this week at the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium.


I am sure other Emergency Managers can attest, EMI is one of the best places to learn and build relationships with other professionals from across the country.

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And yes, it is one of my most favorite places to teach.

Just like last year, I’m stoked to be invited to present again and I’m hoping to see a few friends too.

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WhereIsRusnivek? Find_Doc? Hmmmmmm

So if you are headed to the 2016 DHS/FEMA National Training and Exercise Symposium this week, let me know.

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@rusnivek

Day-2 of Ohio EMA Basic Public Information Officer Course in #SummitCounty

Second day of the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency‘s Basic Public Information Officer’s Course in Summit County.

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Lots of discussion on the changes in public information especially with the use of social media in the 24-hour news cycle. #OMG

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We were fortunate enough to hear from WKYC Reporter Jasmine Monroe and Videographer Carl Bachtel (NBC News affiliate) on what the media needs once they arrive on scene. Great insight to breaking news and media notifications.

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Special thanks to WKYC’s Jasmine Monroe and Carl Bachtel.

As a class, we reviewed all media interviews and shared positives and points to improve – all geared toward enhancing PIO interview skills.

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Reviewing the on camera interview with Twinsburg Lt. Marcus Ketner.

The final activity we broke into various PIO sections. This included an on-camera interview with talking points and bridging.

Interviews

Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster while Mark Shane handles the videographer duties in the final G0290 classroom activity.

Great way to showcase newly acquired skills!

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Jim McIntyre interviewing Elizabeth Foster for the final G0290 classroom activity

At the end of the day, I had a few moments to play our little holiday project aka #CJSavesCLE – just to showcase the power of when PIOs work with local media to make a wish come true for a day.

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#CJSavesCLE

Solid day with so many new peeps!

Tomorrow will be G-291 Joint Information Center stuff! #excited

@rusnivek

April 2016 was solid, but it’s gonna be May

April 2016 was solid, but it’s gonna be May…..

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Instructors Kevin Sur and Justin Timberlake. Heh.

First week, I will be instructing FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy Program at EMI specifically on Crisis Communications, Public Information Officer, and Social Media. Then heading back to Ohio to teach a basic Public Information Officer’s Course and Joint Information Center/System course (G-290/291) in Summit County. R3 and R5 = Twofer in just the first week!

Second week, I will head back north to Michigan to teach social media at Michigan State University. Then the last half of the week spent in Chicago for meetings with various public safety officials including Chicago Fire.

Third week, we have a State of Ohio Emergency Management Instructors’ Workshop at Ohio EMA in Columbus. Good chance to chat and share successes with our staff – who are all good stewards of Emergency Management. Cbus baby!

Fourth week, I will be instructing in the big DHS/FEMA 2016 National Training and Exercise Symposium at EMI. Whohoo!!! Hoping to catch up to Brian Kamoie and Doc Lumpkins again. Then jetting off to Nebraska to teach Social Media and Crisis Communications in the statewide CPESymposia. R3 and R7 in the hizzouse!

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Yep, it’s a 3-5-7 kinda month – A big month indeed.

@rusnivek

 

Doesn’t matter how many resources you have

Very true esp in Emergency Management and Emergency Services.

  
Don’t fake it, take the time to know your resources.

Know your resources, learn about your resources, embrace your resources, support all your resources, don’t play favorites, and then train/exercise with all your resources.

Your first hand knowledge of your resources will set you apart from other fake managers.

People look to you during an emergency or disaster.

Set the example and be the catalyst of something great within your community.

@rusnivek

Top notch peeps from across the country in Texas

My social media class today…


Definitely one of the most diverse All-Hazard classes I had in a long while. Participants represented Emergency Management, Fusion Center, Public Works, Land & Natural Resources, Fire, Health Department, EMS, Private sector, HAZMAT, Police, Veteran’s Affairs, Intelligence, US Coast Guard PIAT, National Weather Service, CERT, and PIOs / PAOs.

Top notch peeps from across the country this week!


Special thanks to my old friend Houston Office of Emergency Management Melanie Manville for hosting this new #NDPTC class.

Many Mahalos.

@rusnivek