Almost everything we read about climate change has to do with the environmental impacts of a warming climate and then the physical impacts to infrastructure. In this podcast we focus on the human impacts of a warming climate and increasing temperatures on humans from a behavioral perspective. My guest is Steve Crimando, the founder and principal of Behavioral Science Applications LLC, and the director of the Homeland Security Human Factors Institute. He is an internationally known consultant and educator focused on the human element in security, emergency management, and business continuity. This is a very informative podcast on the impacts of heat on people, to include how heat impacts the development of children. This episode is sponsored by Bent Ear Solutions which offers comprehensive capabilities and deep industry knowledge necessary to help you solve the most complex issues of your organization. We advise public and private organizations on an all-inclusive approach to disaster preparedness that addresses governance, planning, operational procedures, technology implementation, training, and exercises in order to achieve a successful and sustainable program.Eric Holdeman is a professional emergency manager who is passionate about providing information that can help families, businesses & governments become better prepared for disasters of all types. Hear first hand expert insights from Eric on his Podcast, Blog & EricHoldeman.com.
Earthquake risks exist in most places in the United States and around the world. While some areas have much higher risk factors, constructing buildings to meet the seismic requirements for where you live and work should be a given. Building codes can play a major role in guiding the construction of facilities. Understanding what it means to have a building “built to code” is important to the owner, landlord and those who work in the facility. In this podcast we look at seismic risks and then what it might take to construct more earthquake resilient structures. Kenny O’Neill, a Senior Structural Engineer with Reid Middleton is the expert guest who shares information and best practices on seismic structural issues. Merit is a first-of-its-kind, all-hazards, digital credentialing platform that equips emergency responders with innovative tools to securely manage their personnel on-site, no matter the situation. Merit's platform is relied on in mission-critical situations such as the Surfside building collapse and at secure Health and Human Service facilities and is trusted by a growing network of thousands of partners.Eric Holdeman is a professional emergency manager who is passionate about providing information that can help families, businesses & governments become better prepared for disasters of all types. Hear first hand expert insights from Eric on his Podcast, Blog & EricHoldeman.com.
The first challenge that faces emergency managers, all types of government jurisdictions and the private sector is figuring out where disasters have caused damages and what the extent of those damages are. This podcast investigates technologies that are in place today to provide precise information on damages. I also like that fact that this technology has many commercial applications that can be used before a disaster. You need those to help have a capability for times when disasters do strike. All insurance companies need this type of tech assistance in post disaster scenarios.The podcast guest is Piers Dormeyer, Eagleview CEO, who has a passion for technology and the power to transform industries and deliver value. He has founded successful businesses, led high-performing teams, and implemented scalable processes with a mission to transform how people work while forging powerful partnerships and consistently driving exceptional business outcomes.Piers has discovered the key to driving growth, alignment, and organizational health, and it goes beyond mastering conference calls. He believes in connecting purpose to performance and valuing the people who play a significant role in our lives.Piers brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, complemented by his academic achievements. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering at the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration (MBA)from the renowned MIT Sloan School of Management.He resides in Florida with his family who is a constant source of inspiration, reminding him of the importance of balance, compassion, and personal fulfillment in his personal and professional life.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.comCheck out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com
While emergency managers do many a presentation on how individuals and families can become better prepared for a disaster—our message should go beyond “having all your important documents in one place. In this podcast we learn of a system that can help people do that in advance of a disaster.The podcast guest is Maria Fraietta the founder and visionary behind The Nokbox, a pioneering estate planning tool and home organization system designed to support an individual’s Next of Kin. The idea for Nokbox was born out of personal tragedy and necessity, following the unexpected death of her father in 2021. While navigating the complex and emotional process of settling his estate, Maria experienced firsthand the confusion, stress, and logistical challenges families face in the absence of a clear plan.From that experience came a spark—one that led her to create the very first Nokbox in her garage in Littleton, Colorado. Prior to founding The Nokbox, Maria spent nearly 25 years as a beloved public-school teacher in the Denver metro area. Her career in education shaped her commitment to clarity, communication, and helping others succeed—principles that continue to guide her work today. She also worked as a licensed real estate agent with HomeSmart International starting in 2004, further deepening her understanding of life transitions, legal documentation, and the importance of preparedness.Now running The Nokbox full-time, Maria oversees daily operations, product development, and long-term strategy.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.comCheck out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been in the news for months. Both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished, perhaps moved out of DHS and physically out of Washington, D.C. A council has been established to examine how the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished moving forward. The current status and future of FEMA is the topic of this podcast.The podcast guest is Michael A. Coen Jr. who has been a right hand advisor to three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) directors and administrators, to include: James Lee Witt, W. Craig Fugate and Deanne Criswell. He recently served as Chief of Staff to Deanne Criswell during the Biden administration. Most recently is has been an outspoken advocate for FEMA’s mission of creating a disaster resilient United States.He is an outcome-oriented executive with proven management and leadership experience. A track record of accomplishment in managing during times of crisis, implementing strategic vision, leading organizational change, building coalitions, fostering collaboration and communicating during crisis. Michael effectively andcomfortably operates in high-profile politically charged environments.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.comCheck out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/
One of the few constants in our everyday life is the weather. It is likely something we check on frequently, even on sunny days. Today we will be talking with a veteran weather forecaster who has specific advice for those who deal with severe weather and its impacts on people and property. Communicating weather warnings will be a specific topic, along with the partnership between private forecast operations and the National Weather Service (NWS).Chris Warren is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and communicator who spent more than 15 years as a trusted on-camera presence at The Weather Channel. During his time there, he delivered live studio and field coverage of major weather events — including hurricanes, blizzards, wildfires, and landslides — helping communities better understand and respond to severe weather. Chris holds the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval and brings deep expertise in crisis communication, strategic storytelling, and delivering complex information to national audiences.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
The Los Angeles fires will likely be the costliest natural disaster in our history. While they started as wildfire, they changed into an urban conflagration. Thousands of homes were destroyed along with other building structures, including businesses. In this podcast we’ll look at these impacts fires their destruction from the perspective of a private business that specializes in disaster recovery efforts. The podcast guest is Joel Wish, CEO of Bright Harbor, a leading disaster recovery company that has been on the front lines of wildfire recovery efforts across the country. In the wake of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, Joel and his team have been helping survivors navigate the complex and often frustrating process of securing federal aid, insurance payouts, and emergency housing—guiding them through bureaucratic roadblocks that can delay relief for months. A seasoned entrepreneur, Joel has spent his career tackling large-scale challenges in ways that put people first. Before founding Bright Harbor, he co-led Frontline Foods, an all-volunteer nonprofit that provided over a million meals to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting struggling restaurants. He also helped build Simple Health, a telemedicine company expanding access to reproductive healthcare. His expertise in crisis response, logistics, and public health now helps disaster survivors access the resources they need when they need them Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
In this podcast we will be learning about disaster community in Europe and more specifically in Switzerland. That will be in the first half of the podcast. In the second half, we will be talking about a more focused conversation about data and its role in integrated disaster risk management. During the podcast we review Emergency Meeting Points (EMP) in Switzerland. The link provided will give you more information. The podcast guest is Jurgena Kamberaj a Senior Researcher in the Risk and Resilience Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich, where she focuses on disaster preparedness and how hazards affect individuals, communities, and ecosystems. Her work aims to strengthen resilience in the face of increasingly complex emergencies. Prior to joining CSS in 2023, Jurgena worked at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, specifically within the European Crisis Management Laboratory. In this role, she was responsible for real-time monitoring and impact assessments of major disasters worldwide, contributing to the development of the EU’s global disaster response strategies. Jurgena holds an MSc in Environmental Science from Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel in Germany, specializing in ecosystem services and environmental protection. With experience spanning both scientific research and operational crisis management, she bridges the gap between data-driven analysis and practical disaster risk reduction strategies.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
In this podcast we look at a new technology being developed and fielded to help people and organizations, public and private better understand climate risks of all types. From wildfires to floods, climate fueled natural disasters are becoming more and more prevalent. The podcast guest is Sarah Russell, Managing Director of Bellwether who speaks to the ways that advanced machine learning can help improve disaster response as these events continue to Bellwether has worked with the Defense Innovation Unit and the National Guard to help these first responder teams more accurately locate survivors and track damage to essential infrastructure. Bellwether is a fully commercialized business, with clients in the insurance and disaster response sectors. Their software identified an area of Ventura County, CA as high fire risk in 2024, and that area overlapped nearly perfectly with the Mountain Fire in November, 2024.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
There are all sorts of projects, large and small. I’ve advocated that all work is usually done in the form of a project. Really large projects require a huge investment in time and other resources to be successful. No one plans on failing, but there have been some very public failures in the past. In this podcast we’ll examine some general themes for those failures and also solutions you can put to use for your own projects to hopefully ensure success. Dr. Brian Williamson is a management consultant and Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Management Studies at the University of Oxford. A global authority in business transformation, employee experience, and purpose-driven project management, he has authored multiple books and is sought after by organizations aiming to unlock hidden potential and align strategic investments with purpose. With a passion for maximizing human potential, Dr. Williamson mentors senior executives, assisting them in creating enhanced human experiences within their organizations, encouraging leaders to challenge conventional thinking, fostering an environment that harmonizes the diverse interests of all stakeholders. Dr. Williamson holds dual master’s degrees from NYU Tandon School of Engineering (formerly Polytechnic University) in Management of Technology and Information Systems Engineering. He also earned a doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University and Executive Director at project management firm, PMO Advisory.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Disaster volunteers come in many shapes and sizes. They can be individual citizens but typically are aligned with an organization that is offering aid to their fellow citizens. However, sometimes emergency managers have found that these well-intentioned volunteers seem to cause more headaches than they solve. Donated goods, for example can cause a mountain of work with many of the donations eventually going into a landfill.In this Disaster Zone Podcast David Wells, the Director of Disaster Relief for Disaster Relief for Texans on a Mission will dialog with the host about how best to be ready to volunteer and work with other government agencies. David began his response journey as a Baptist pastor in Wyoming, leading his congregation to provide aid to travelers trapped by routine interstate closings due to snow. He later became state director for Disaster Relief for the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention. As a pastor in Missouri, he led shower, chainsaw, laundry, and feeding response team among Missouri Baptists, eventually becoming associate director for Disaster Relief for the Missouri Baptist Convention. David joined Texans on Mission in 2019.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Technology is a driving force in public safety today. There are multiple challenges that come with considering which technologies should be adopted and fielded within an organization. Before that can happen, we need to collectively overcome self-imposed barriers to technology adoption, which is the subject of this Disaster Zone Podcast. The podcast guest is Garry Briese who has had a distinguished career in the fire service. Only recently retiring in January 2025 as the Executive Director of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs. Previously Garry served for 23 years as the Executive Director/CEO of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in Washington DC and prior was the Executive Director/CEO of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians for 14 years. Additionally, he was appointed as the Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 8 of the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush. Prior to DHS/FEMA, he was Vice President, Emergency Management & Homeland Security for ICF International, a $1.5 billion NASDAQ-listed professional services corporation. Today he serves as one of four independent directors on the corporate Board of Directors of WS Darley Company, a 116-year-old family-owned business founded in 1908. In 2024, Darley had more than $1 Billion in sales as an international pump & fire apparatus manufacturer & distributor for the military, fire and emergency services. Garry has presented at conferences in Japan, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom and across the United States. He is a well-known speaker on leadership and followership and on future challenges for both the private and government sectors. He has broad experience in non-profit organizations and for-profit companies in local, state, national, federal, and international domains His visionary and forward-thinking leadership and accomplishments have been recognized by multiple international and national organizations.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been predominantly in the news for many months. Most recently as both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished. More recently a 20-person council has been established to examine how best the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished. This then is the topic for this podcast.Craig Fugate the podcast guest served as President Barack Obama’s FEMA Administrator from May 2009 to January 2017. Previously, he served as Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s Emergency Management Director from 2001-2007 and Governor Charlie Crist from 2007-09.Fugate led FEMA through multiple record-breaking disaster years and oversaw the Federal Government’s response to major events such as the Joplin and Moore Tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and the 2016 Louisiana flooding.FEMA’s effectiveness in dealing with more than 500 Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies under Fugate’s leadership restored the faith of the American people in the Federal Government’s ability to respond to disasters.Prior to his tenure at FEMA, Fugate was widely praised for his management, under Governor Jeb Bush, of the devastating effects of the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma). Craig provides senior level advice and consultation in disaster management and resiliency policy through Craig Fugate Consulting LLC.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Personally, I have had to inform employees that their jobs were being eliminated. Sometimes because of a budget cut, sometimes due to their performance. How we handle these events is important to the people directly impacted and also to those who remain behind. This podcast will be addressing both topics and how to better structure a layoff scenario—and do it with empathy. Jim Cichanski, the founder, and Chief Human Resources Officer of Flex HR, has 30+ years experience in human resources, holding senior level positions in companies that were privately held, pre-IPO, foreign owned, joint venture, Fortune 50 and one labeled the “fastest growing F1000 in America.” He has a solid background in high tech, manufacturing, services and management. His background in human resources includes organizational process evaluation and improvement, labor laws, integration of businesses, cost reduction, organizational development, and all functional areas of human resources. These include but are not limited to Benefits, Compensation, Staffing, Diversity, ERISA, DOL Compliance, Immigration, Learning & Development, Stock Administration, Executive Compensation, Employee Relations, and over 300 Mergers & Acquisitions. Jim’s experience includes operational HR management knowledge globally in 32 countries and has transitioned companies from 30 to 67,000 employees worldwide. Companies he has worked for include Unisys, Novell, Premiere Technologies and PaySys International. Jim is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. Jim also spent 26 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
We continue to see disasters increase in size, frequency and impact. What are we doing wrong when it comes to disaster resilience, especially as it impacts our ability to adapt to the climate impacts that are experiencing and take a longer view to disaster resilience. The podcast guest is Jeff Schlegelmilch an Associate Professor for Professional Practice in Climate. He is also the Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Columbia Climate School, as well as the Director of Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs for the Columbia Climate School. His areas of expertise include public health preparedness, community resilience, and the integration of private and public sector capabilities. In addition to his work at Columbia, he also served as an advisor to private sector organizations on topics related to grid resilience planning and advised leaders on preparedness systems and policy at all levels of government. He is an opinion contributor with The Hill and is frequently called upon as an expert for numerous media outlets. He is also the author of Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century Megadisasters and co-author of Catastrophic Incentives: Why Our Approaches To Disasters Keep Falling ShortPlease visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
As we look to the future of making for a more disaster resilient future, there are new building technologies that are ready for prime time. One of those is the use of 3D technology for the construction of all types of buildings and other structures. In this podcast we learn from one leader in 3D construction, Ziyou Xu, Founder of RIC Technology. 3D printing using concrete uses less labor and is very flexible in how the materials can be used. When thinking about building for disaster resilience, be it for fires or earthquakes, concrete is an excellent choice of materials. In this podcast you will learn about the advantages of the technology and how its use is expanding widely here in the United States and around the world.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
As this is being written the firestorm in California is continuing. It is not only government that responds to disasters and the needs of disaster survivors and victims. The Disaster Accountability Project was created to help coordinate nongovernmental organizational efforts. To date, the site has more than 900 organizations registered worldwide. Following a stringent review process, organizations are presented with information that displays proximity to a specific crisis, and the range of services provided to survivors, and a detailed but easy-to-digest overview of the organization’s financial health – which gives an indication of the percentage of aid that will be directly passed on to survivors. You can find all the details at www.smartresponse.org The podcast guest is Ben Smilowitz, ben@disasteraccountability.org He witnessed the bungled Hurricane Katrina response while managing a high-volume Red Cross Client Service Center in Gulfport, MS. Soon after, Ben launched Disaster Accountability Project, an independent watchdog, to confront the root causes of the failed Katrina response and maximize the impact of billions of dollars of disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Disaster Accountability Project has successfully advocated for the release of millions of dollars of disaster relief and recovery funds after Superstorm Sandy, investigated deficiencies in emergency planning surrounding 19 commercial U.S. nuclear power plants, and improved the transparency of nearly 2 billion dollars of disaster relief donations after disasters in the U.S., Haiti and Nepal. Under Ben’s leadership, DAP’s reports, advocacy, and op-eds have been covered by global news media including The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and CNN. Many of DAP’s successes over its thirteen years are attributable to the hundreds of volunteers from around the world that Ben has recruited and managed. Prior to starting DAP, Ben had a background in youth civic engagement and issue advocacy. He wrote successful legislation in Connecticut and created a Youth Cabinet in Missouri. Ben studied Political Science and Nonprofit Management and holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
In this podcast we explore what makes for effective alerts and warnings with one of the preeminent scholars and researching these topics today. Jeannette Sutton, Ph.D., specializes in disaster and risk with a primary focus on online informal communication, and public alerts and warnings disseminated via short messaging channels. Much of her research investigates the evolving role of information and communication technology, including social media and mobile devices, for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Her current work centers on message design and testing across a range of hazard contexts including atmospheric, meteorological, geological, technological, biological, and human induced threats for communication via Wireless Emergency Alerts and other alerting channels. See this link for The Warning Lexicon She is employed at the University at Albany, SUNY, as an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security where she directs the Emergency and Risk Communication Message Testing Lab. She is also the founder of The Warn Room, LLC (thewarnroom.com) where you can get more resources to support your mission of warning people, and provides evidence-based advice on effective alert and warning messages. Dr. Sutton holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and completed her postdoctoral training at the Natural Hazards Center.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
UPDATED EPISODE! As you may have noticed, we accidently posted Pete's last episode, equally good and worth a listen but you should also check out today's episode talking about the future of FEMA.The new Trump Administration has started out with a slew of news impacting emergency management. There were two trips to disaster areas. One in the Southeast and North Carolina, where the President stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had performed poorly and even politicized the disaster relief. He promised to fix those issues. Then, a trip to Southern California to view the impacts of the Los Angeles fires. Prior to the trip he was critical of the State of California for its water policies and failure to maintain the forests by raking up the leaves, etc. That was followed by executive orders and memos that 1) Cancelled all advisory committees which would include one that advises FEMA. 2) The Office of Management and Budget (OMG) sent out a memo to all federal agencies to pause funding all grants to organizations—later withdrawn. 3) An email was sent to all Federal employees offering them basically seven months of pay—free, if they took the option to leave Federal employment after September 2025. The President also is establishing a group to study FEMA and make recommendations for how to reform the agency. Members of that council have yet to be named at this writing. In this podcast we will be discussing the types of changes that could be made to make FEMA more functional as an organization and then consider what types of major policy changes could be in the offing, e.g. shifting more of the burden of disaster recovery costs to states and local jurisdictions. The Disaster Zone Podcast Guest is Peter Gaynor, an accomplished executive with over 15 years of leadership in Emergency Management & Homeland Security at every level of government. He has led a wide variety of challenging disasters at the local, state, and federal levels. He has served as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, FEMA Administrator, and Deputy FEMA Administrator.Visit https://femapete.com/ for Pete's leadership course! Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
I don’t know if you have noticed, but things are changing fast. Change is happening at every level of our society, in government, business and culture. Nothing is immune from the extent of change that is occurring. In this podcast we explore the topic of forecasting the future in order to better prepare ourselves and our organizations. You will find this topic engaging and thought provoking. The podcast guest is Donna Dupont the Founder and Chief Strategist for Purple Compass, as well as an award-winning designer and futurist who helps organizations build their future literacy skills to navigate change in today’s complex and uncertain world. She brings skills and insights developed over 25 years working with leaders in healthcare, public safety, defense, and security. Her unique style bridges systems thinking with strategic foresight to support organizational decision-making and advancing actions to mitigate future risk, enhance preparedness and adaptive capacity to disruptive events, and leverage opportunities for change, innovation and transformation. She is a recipient of seven government awards at the provincial and federal level for outstanding achievement, excellence, and partner relations in policy and strategic planning. Her unique style bridges systems thinking with strategic foresight to understand patterns and the potential evolution over time. She works with both quantitative and qualitative data, and designs processes to ensure confidence with insights and knowledge theories generated. Donna’s professional portfolio of projects have advanced insights on topics such as climate change, international development, environmental security, civil security/emergency preparedness, climate-risk and infrastructure, health and human security, space sector and national defense.L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com