Dan Zehner from the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) drops in the podcast to report on the recent documentary output from the research group. The links below contain a lot of information on how the NHERI research grants have turned into actionable infrastructure and building code improvement suggestions.

Dan and co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis also talk about data collection about wild fire affects on infrastructure and buildings. By analyzing the survival of buildings built under different code requirements and from differing materials, NHERI can suggest improvements that would improve survival and lessen the impact of disastrous fires.

Links and Resources Dan Discussed

NHERI RESEARCH IMPACT SHOWCASED

FUNDING MESSAGE FROM THE NHERI COUNCIL, JULY 2025

CALIFORNIA FLOODING FROM THE ARKSTORM

Technology Transfer from NHERI

NHERI Impact 2020

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Coordinating Weather Impact Efforts

Jamie, Sam, and Dan discussed recent weather events, including thunderstorms and wildfires. Sam mentioned coordinating efforts with 18 states to address the impact of nonprofits assuming roles previously held by the federal government. Dan shared that the northwest has been experiencing hot weather but is now getting some rain, which is helping to control wildfires. The group briefly touched on Hurricane Erin, but no specific information was provided.

NHERI Operations Extended Through 2026

The meeting discussed the status and future of the National Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI), which received a no-cost extension from the National Science Foundation to continue operations through September 2026. Dan explained that while there are some uncertainties due to the current political environment, NHERI’s core facilities, tools, and data services will remain available for researchers.

The discussion also touched on recent and ongoing natural disasters, including wildfires and floods, which NHERI continues to support through testing and research efforts.

Overcoming Fear in Emergency Care

The group discussed fear and anxiety in medical and emergency situations, with Jessica emphasizing the importance of addressing personal fears and biases to provide better care. Jamie shared advice about trusting parents’ instincts regarding their children’s health, particularly for those with preexisting conditions. The conversation concluded with Jessica encouraging self-compassion and acceptance of imperfection in emergency response work.

Wildfire Research and Infrastructure Planning

The group discussed wildfire research, focusing on the National Science Foundation’s work in the wildland-urban interface, particularly through the Rapid Assessment, Planning, and Response (RAPID) system. Dan explained how RAPID uses advanced tools like fixed-wing drones and lidar to collect high-fidelity data on fire damage before cleanup, which is crucial for understanding infrastructure performance and updating building codes.

Jamie emphasized the importance of science-based infrastructure adjustments, while Sam highlighted the critical role of research in preventing future wildfires, noting that many people are unaware of the work being done in this area.

Insurance Challenges in High-Risk Areas

Dan and Sam discussed the challenges of insurance availability and affordability in high-risk areas, particularly due to the high costs of insurance premiums. Dan explained that the insurance industry relies on actuarial models and historical data to assess risk, but noted that there is no universally accepted standard for wildfire-resistant construction.

They mentioned organizations like the Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) that focus on property insurance and loss prevention, but emphasized the need for more scientifically backed methods to ensure communities can be insured based on evidence rather than intuition.

Wind and Flooding Research Updates

The discussion focused on two main topics: wind research facilities and flooding studies. Dan described the University of Florida’s boundary layer wind tunnel and Florida International University’s “Wall of Wind” facility, which can simulate Category 5-level winds with wind-driven rain and variable ground conditions.

The conversation then shifted to flooding research, highlighting a 2023 study that created a publicly available dataset of California’s atmospheric river flooding simulations, which has been useful for FEMA, water resources departments, and emergency services. The discussion concluded with an observation about how dry ground conditions can exacerbate flooding issues, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure to manage water runoff.

Design Safe Resource Overview

The meeting focused on discussing resources and information available through Design Safe and the National Science Foundation. Dan provided an overview of their funding process and highlighted various platforms and resources, including their podcast, Slack channel, and community calendar.

Jamie and Sam discussed the importance of these resources and mentioned their own social media presence. The group discussed the importance of disaster preparedness and the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group.