The Employee Safety Podcast

Hurricane season officially begins June 1, and Colorado State University has predicted a historically active season for 2024.  Patrick Forand is a certified incident commander and FEMA instructor and was a contract manager at the Florida Department of Health for more than 16 years. He currently leads emergency management, disaster planning, and response for CAN Community Health.  In this episode, Patrick shares valuable lessons learned from two recent Florida hurricanes—Ian and Nicole. Listen in to learn how:  Streamlined communication alleviates stress for staff and patients Unified threat intelligence and emergency communications improves disaster response Two-way communication and multichannel notifications empower emergency managers CAN Community Health scales and improves their communication and response plans The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

In today's intensifying threat landscape, organizations must go beyond a check-the-box approach to achieve positive safety outcomes.  For Andrew Dingee, pilot, safety expert, and author of Delivering the Right Stuff, an effective safety culture is achieved through a systems approach—that catches human error while preventing blame. In this episode, Andrew shares how to: Optimize checklists for busy workloads Apply Thinking, Fast and Slow concepts to achieve safe workflows Streamline incident reporting for continuous improvement Develop a culture that embraces owning and learning mistakes The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

April is Workplace Violence Prevention Month, an important reminder for organizations to pause and analyze their readiness for workplace violence prevention and response. Bryan Strawser is an expert in helping organizations uplevel their workplace violence prevention programs and adapt to stay resilient in the future. His consultancy, Bryghtpath, helps companies improve their corporate security, intelligence gathering, business continuity, and crisis management efforts.  In this episode, Bryan shares:  Pitfalls to avoid in managing workplace violence prevention programs How to develop centralized reporting processes When and how to communicate workplace violence incidents with employees  How to evaluate and mitigate workplace violence threats cross-functionallyThe Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Tornadoes can damage or destroy anything in their path in seconds, leaving lasting impacts. With climate change driving tornado outbreaks year-round, organizations must continually review and update their preparedness and recovery plans. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jennifer Dunn and her team at the National Weather Service combine forces with storm spotters and on-the-ground reporting to ensure everyone in a storm's path receives life-saving information as quickly as possible. Listen in to learn:  Key takeaways from 2023 tornado activity How the transition out of El Niño influences tornado conditions in 2024 Tornado risk factors for organizations Tips for effective severe weather emergency plans  How to alert employees to act fast in a tornado emergency The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Throughout his 30+ year career, Bart Brown has led teams of hundreds, securing both the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and critical national infrastructure. In his current role as Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Frontier Communications, the keys to creating an effective security organization are adaptability, scalability, and automation.  Listen in to learn:  Which processes to outsource versus keep in-house How to lead the change from manual SOPs to automation The importance of public-private partnerships and external relationship-building How to scale a security function up or down based on the situation The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

In the two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global supply chain disruptions, ballooning inflation, and unpredictable risks to employee safety have left organizations scrambling to adapt. Today, as several global conflicts rage on with no end in sight, a new era of misinformation challenges resilience leaders to rise to a new level of vigilance—one that requires human-gathered and human-vetted intelligence—to succeed. AlertMedia’s Senior Vice President of Global Intelligence, Sara Pratley, sits down with Ian Phillips, Director of the News & Media Division at the United Nations, to discuss: The organizational impacts of conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and the Sudan How the UN supports on-the-ground reporting in war zones  What to expect amidst concurrent global conflicts for years to come How to fight misinformation with verified intelligence Check out the Oscar-winning documentary Ian mentioned here. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

There's nothing like an NFL game day. With 50,000+ people pouring into FedExField, the Washington Commanders rely on the elite coordination and collaboration of Director of Security & Transportation, Matthew Van Norton, to keep fans and staff safe. By partnering with vendors, federal, state, and local officials, and the league itself, Matthew and his team ensure a secure and memorable experience for all.  Matthew joined the show to discuss: How his team complies with the NFL’s best practices for stadium security and fan conduct The technology and training the Commanders use to secure their facilities The nuances of securing an open-air stadium Special safety and security measures for high-profile concerts and events The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

As a remote-first organization with cloud-based headquarters, Zillow maintains its resilience with a 24/7 approach to business continuity and crisis management. Business Resiliency Manager Ryan Williams and his team of two rely on modern tools and technology to ensure any incident – from an app outage to an active threat – gets an immediate and effective response.  Listen in to learn: How a small team can achieve and maintain organizational resilience The importance of robust threat intelligence and emergency communication solutions Strategies for gaining leadership buy-in for new resources and headcount How to support strategic decision-making at the leadership level The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

From natural disasters to the advancement of AI, 2023 saw various disruptive events that impacted business leaders' approach to employee safety, security, and business continuity. As we move further into 2024, trendlines indicate that the global threat landscape will continue to intensify. Sara Pratley, Senior Vice President of Global Intelligence at AlertMedia, joins the show to help us understand the top threats facing organizations this year and provide expert advice on how to navigate them. Listen for information and recommendations on how to get ahead of the top threats in 2024, including: Climate change Cybersecurity Activism and civil unrest Global turmoil Digital disruption Check out the full 2024 Threat Outlook report for even more business resiliency insights and advice. The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Many companies view their corporate security function as a cost center—and miss out on the untapped potential of a robust security culture. In this episode, Wendy Bashnan, Director of Security and Fire Protection at Scout Motors, unpacks insights from her 30-year career—from government security at the U.S. Department of State, NATO, and the Diplomatic Security Service to the private sector as Chief Security Officer at Nielsen. Listen to learn how to:   Engage with the business and get buy-in for the security function Leverage public-private partnerships to achieve your goals Effectively communicate “the why” at every level of the organization Start building AI policies and protocols to protect your business The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

John Liuzzi built the business continuity program for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits from the ground up.  As the world’s largest wine and spirits distributor, Southern Glazer’s complex global supply chain makes managing situational intelligence 24/7 an impressive feat.In this episode, John unpacks the keys to a successful business continuity program, including how to: Become a strategic business partner to the organization Win executive support for your program Nurture internal and external relationships before an incident happens Articulate the value proposition of business continuity Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Large-scale events raise unique safety concerns for organizers and attendees alike. With event emergencies and attacks on the rise globally, organizations should prepare their employees to respond to any large-scale event disruption, from power outages and crowd surges to active shooter threats and natural disasters. Nick Dawe is the Division Chief and Fire Marshal for Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. After contributing to a recent Billboard article on the topic, Nick joined the show to share tips for staying safe and ready at any event, including: Items to have on hand in the event of an emergency Warning signs to watch for when attending big gatherings  The organizational benefits of preparing and educating your people on how to respond to active threats Suggestions for how to respond to event emergencies based on the scenario The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

At Stratolaunch—the company that built the world’s longest aircraft—emergency planning is unique.  From coordinating public safety officials to readying rescue operations, the experimental aviation company relies on an emergency response expert with experience at every altitude. Linna Selbrede is the Emergency Response Program Lead with over a decade of experience in search and rescue spanning Virgin Galactic, Texas Search and Rescue, and more. In this episode, Linna joined the show to discuss: A community approach to emergency planning Preparing 95% of crisis communications in advance Learning from other organizations’ tabletop drills How volunteering in emergency services is a force multiplier for her career The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

With 694 fatalities and $112 billion in losses reported in 2022, retail crime is at an all-time high. And as Black Friday and the holiday shopping season approach, retailers are looking for solutions to ensure a safe and smooth atmosphere for shoppers and employees alike. Khristopher Hamlin is the Vice President of Asset Protection at the Retail Industry Leaders Association. In this episode, Khristopher shares how retailers are leaning on technology, community safety initiatives, and partnerships with law enforcement to protect their most valuable assets—their people. Listen in to learn about:  Startling statistics on the current state of retail asset protection and organized crime How retailers are leveraging AI technology for staffing, safety, and more RILA's new Vibrant Communities Initiative that supports retail asset protection Strategies for tackling staff shortages and safety training in retail The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

In the healthcare industry, resiliency is more than ensuring continuity of operations—it’s about protecting the continuity of patient care around the clock.  Jonathan Arnburg is the System Senior Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management at Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Jon joined the show to discuss how he’s navigating the biggest threats to healthcare safety and resiliency—including supply chain disruptions, workplace violence, and cyber-attacks. Listen in to learn: How the only Level 1 trauma center in the D.C. area stays resilient Tips for developing critical relationships to bolster emergency planning Strategies for facilitating effective drills and exercises The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Safety and security training can feel tedious and dull—but it doesn’t have to be. When organizations prioritize onboarding, training, and development, the entire business and workforce builds resiliency. For Adam Corn, Director of Safety & Security and Training & Development at GoFundMe, the key to a successful training program is making it fun, thought-provoking, and adaptable to different learning modalities. Listen to learn: How to incorporate stories into your training to make it memorable Tips for designing interesting onboarding, training, and development programs How to track and articulate the ROI of training initiatives Strategies to engage employees in program development The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Resilient organizations can weather any crisis and come back stronger. But in today’s intensifying threat landscape, business resiliency requires going above and beyond standard drills and emergency planning.  Dr. Steve Goldman, Director of Advanced Business Resiliency at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discusses lessons learned from over 30 years of experience in crisis communications, emergency exercises, and response strategies. Listen now to learn: Common pitfalls in crisis management and communication Do’s and Don’ts for emergency drills and exercises Tips for choosing the best crisis spokesperson for your organization How to drill deeper during emergency planning to achieve resilience Check out MIT's Crisis Management & Business Resiliency Course here.The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Today, more than 77% of companies are using or exploring the use of AI. With mountains of big data to sift through, organizational security and intelligence professionals are turning to automated solutions to speed up their information gathering and decision-making. AlertMedia’s SVP of Global Intelligence, Sara Pratley, sat down with two intelligence experts to understand the opportunities and limitations of one of the world’s most popular AI tools, ChatGPT. Sam Keller is an Intelligence Analysis Specialist and IT Engineer Consultant at Insource Services, Inc., and Steve Coulthart is an Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany. In this episode, they share how: AI alters the intelligence field by streamlining tasks and saving time  Organizations can leverage ChatGPT in summarizing information and creating reports Overuse of AI can impair analyst skillsets over time The future of intelligence depends on the combination of human verification + AI Read their article “What ChatGPT Can and Can’t Do for Intelligence,” in Lawfare here. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

For the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, a safe and secure season requires careful planning and coordination of 200+ employees, vendors, contractors, and public safety officials. Donald Paisant is the Senior Director of Event Security & Special Projects for the Texas Rangers. Donald has decades of high-profile sports security experience, from protecting Super Bowl stadiums to NCAA Final Four arenas. He joined the show to share how his team provides fans, players, and staff with safe and unforgettable experiences at Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium. Listen in to learn: The nuances of securing hundreds of games and events each season Why winning baseball seasons pose additional security challenges How Donald collaborates with venues across Arlington to ensure community safety Insight into hosting and securing the 2024 All-Star Game How the Rangers conduct on-the-job security training The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/. 

Business resilience is essential for major financial institutions responsible for managing customer funds.  In an emergency, finance companies must protect their employees and facilities while ensuring their customers’ cash is always accessible.  Jeff Dow is Manager of Protection and Resiliency at a major financial organization, after serving as a commanding officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. In this episode, Jeff discusses how technology helps his team of four manage business continuity planning, threat intelligence, and crisis communications for a geographically dispersed workforce and millions of customers.  Listen to learn how to: Support organizational growth strategies with modern technology Gain leadership buy-in on technological investments Navigate resiliency challenges unique to the financial industry The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. Get every episode delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.alertmedia.com/podcast/.