Riding the Wave-Project Management for Emergency Managers

Speed Up to Slow Down: AI as a Force Multiplier EMs with Tom Sivak

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

This episode features Tom Sivak, Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where we discuss why artificial intelligence is no longer optional for the emergency management community — it's a matter of survival. We explore how underfunded, understaffed EM agencies can leverage AI as a force multiplier across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Tom shares his vision of turning static emergency plans into living, role-based decision support tools, moving from project-based to program-based AI integration, and protecting decision-making from misinformation and AI hallucinations. The conversation underscores that while AI accelerates information synthesis and planning, humans remain firmly in control. Either we adopt and control the technology or it winds up controlling us.

Time Stamps

2:20 — AI as a Force Multiplier: Why It's Survival, Not Just Innovation, for the One-Person EM Shop

9:21 — Hesitancy & Fear: "AI Will Take Our Jobs" vs. Humans Still Controlling the Levers

11:39 — From AI-Curious to AI-Enabled: Operationalizing AI on Blue-Sky and Gray-Sky Days

15:04 — "Plans Should Come to Us": Turning Static PDFs into Living Decision Support

22:39 — Velocity of Crisis & Information Overload: Protecting Decision-Making from Bad Inputs and Outputs

About

Tom Sivak is the Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where he’s focused on putting AI to work for real-world preparedness, response, and operational planning. He previously served as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, leading federal emergency management support across the Great Lakes region—including dozens of tribal nations—and has also held senior local roles in Chicago and Cook County emergency management. Sivak is a certified emergency manager (CEM®) with a practitioner-first track record building capability, sharpening coordination, and pushing readiness that actually holds up under pressure.

Links:

https://em1.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-sivak-ms-cem/

Empowering Emergency Management through Project Management: A Conversation with Ashley Morris

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0400

This episode features Ashley Morris, EM Coordinator for Gillespie County and Fredericksburg, Texas, about using project management to stop the “whack-a-mole” cycle. She lays out how PM turns emergency management into disciplined, strategic execution across preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

What if your biggest preparedness upgrade isn’t a new plan—it’s running your EM program through effective project management? Morris breaks down how establishing priorities, project timelines, and follow-through create partners who actually show up and perform. From building force multipliers in a shop of one to using EMAP as the benchmark, rebooting CERT, testing a Business EOC, and preparing a tourism-driven community, she’s pushing a simple standard: less busywork, more guided and intended results—guided by mandates and leadership direction.

Time Stamps

00:53 Introduction

01:31 Why Project Management Matters

03:36 Force Multipliers for Solo EM

05:54 Community Outreach Strategy

08:39 Defining the EM Role

12:03 Rebuilding CERT Volunteers

14:27 Tourism and Business Readiness

17:55 Bridging Government and Community

23:37 Engaging Fire EMS Police

25:06 Prioritizing the Project Portfolio

About

Ashley Morris, CEM, is the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) for Gillespie County, TX and the City of Fredericksburg. She is an emergency management professional dedicated to bridging meteorology and emergency management to strengthen community preparedness and real-time decision-making. With a multidisciplinary background spanning atmospheric science, natural hazards, GIS mapping, social media, and social vulnerability research, she is passionate about translating research into practical strategy that improves how agencies and communities anticipate, communicate, and respond to weather-driven threats. Grounded in the belief that “community is key,” Ashley prioritizes public outreach, trust-building, and two-way crisis communication—leveraging notification systems and social media to ensure information moves effectively from agency to resident and resident to agency. She earned her IAEM Certified Emergency Manager credential in 2022, the Maryland Professional Emergency Management (MDPEMP) credential in 2023, and graduated from the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) in August 2023; she was also recognized on the 2021 IAEM Region III “40 Professionals Under 40” list. Active on the Maryland IMT and NCR IMT (Type III), she has led weather-focused initiatives including Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador efforts, StormReady, SKYWARN, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST). Ashley is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Emergency Management Administration at Oklahoma State University and holds an M.S. in Geography (Natural Hazards) from Texas Tech University, where her research examined social vulnerability and storm resource availability for tornado hazards in Lubbock, Texas.

How Improv Theater Unlocks Better EM Collaboration with Andrew Phelps

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:15:00 -0400

What if the secret to better emergency collaboration isn't another FEMA course—but improv theater techniques?

In this episode, Andrew Phelps, COO of AC Disaster Consulting, reveals why emergency management's biggest myth is that "collaboration just happens." Drawing from his unique background as a trained actor and emergency management leader, Andrew shares how principles from improvisational theater can transform how we work together during disasters.

From the "Yes, And" principle to making your partners look brilliant, discover practical frameworks for breaking down barriers, building trust, and creating more effective emergency teams—on both blue sky and dark sky days.

Time Stamps

0:50 - Guest Introduction

1:28 - Challenges in Emergency Management

4:46 - Andrew's Background in Theater

6:09 - Five Principles of Improv

11:37 - Overcoming Collaboration Barriers

13:31 - Cultural Shifts Needed

17:24 - Emergency Management Is Everybody's Job

20:10 - Supporting Collaborative Instincts

25:21 - Balancing Stakeholder Needs

28:16 - Managing Scope Creep

34:30 - Closing Thoughts

About

Andrew Phelps is the Chief Operating Officer with AC Disaster Consulting. Immediately prior to joining ACDC, Andrew served as the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management where he oversaw the state’s comprehensive planning, training, exercise, and community engagement programs to reduce risk across the state and manage the consequences from emergencies and disasters. Andrew also served as the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and the Governor’s Authorized Representative for nine federal disaster declarations. In 2022, Andrew led the creation of the state’s first cabinet-level Department of Emergency Management replacing the previous office of emergency management that had been a division of the Military Department. He has served as a firefighter, public information officer, planner, search and rescue technician, emergency operations center manager, emergency medical technician, and other roles throughout his career.

Andrew is an honors graduate from John Jay College in New York City. He received his Master of Arts from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. His thesis, Play Well With Others: Improvisational Theater and Collaboration in the Homeland Security Environment was published in 2013. Andrew is also a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the FEMA Vanguard crisis leadership program. He is currently serving a three-year term on FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) where he leads the Climate Subcommittee.

Sources:

Phelps, A. J. (2013). Play well with others: Improvisational theater and collaboration in the homeland security environment. (Master's thesis/Paper). Naval Postgraduate School.

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA589546.pdf

Andrew Phelps on LI

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-phelps-80264311/

Patrick Beckley on Disaster Mental Health: Preparedness, Vulnerability, and Supporting Responders

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0400

This episode features Patrick Beckley, Director of Emergency Management for the Long Island Rail Road and former Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services commissioner and New York State Division of Homeland Security regional director, discussing disaster mental health as a core element of emergency management.

Beckley shares his own journey toward better mental health. He talks about his heightened awareness of accumulated trauma among responders and underscores the importance of professional guidance and taking ownership of what is within one’s control. He explains why emergency managers often resist addressing mental health—due to “old school” expectations and a historic focus on victims—and argues that leaders must model vulnerability to build trust and improve retention.

He identifies organizational warning signs such as rising cynicism, withdrawal, friction, and avoidance, and stresses that mental health should be integrated into operations and emergency plans—not treated as a post-incident add-on. Beckley highlights practical steps including preparedness training that reduces anxiety, personal “mental health go-kits,” structured rotations and decompression during major incidents like Hurricane Sandy, peer-support models, and accessible mental health services. His message: responders are not an infinite resource, and mental health must be addressed proactively and authentically.

Time Stamps:

00:50 Meet Patrick Beckley: Emergency Management Leader & Why Mental Health Matters

01:42 The Hidden Psychological Toll of Emergency Management (and Retention Risk)

02:38 Personal Stories: Secondary Trauma, Panic Attacks, and Getting Help

06:05 Breaking the Stigma: Leading With Vulnerability in Emergency Services

16:30 Why Mental Health Can’t Be a Post-Disaster Footnote

17:22 Building a “Mental Health Go-Kit” for Disasters

19:35 Psychological First Aid in Operations + Peer Support & Canine Programs

23:54 Staffing, Rotations, and Decompression During Prolonged Incidents (Lessons from Sandy)

26:10 The Uncomfortable Truth: Panic Attacks, Coping, and Checking on People Who Go Dark

29:19 Resiliency Pack Examples + Final Takeaways: Don’t Ignore It

34:00 Wrap-Up and Thanks

Documents/Files shared by our guest:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-u_X3U6qG-4cdHS5mY_hA6hiT4CsL1Oz?usp=drive_link

For those who may be seeking help, the Code Green Campaign® is a first responder oriented mental health advocacy and education organization: https://www.codegreencampaign.org/about-us/

Research:

Patel SS, Guevara K, Hollar TL, DeVito RA, Erickson TB. Surveying mental health stressors of emergency management professionals: Factors in recruiting and retaining emergency managers in an era of disasters and pandemics. J Emerg Manag. 2023 Sep-Oct;21(5):375-384. doi: 10.5055/jem.0820. PMID: 37932942.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37932942/

Deans C, Carter S. Evidenced Interventions Supporting the Psychological Wellbeing of Disaster Workers: A Rapid Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Sep 19;22(9):1454. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22091454. PMID: 41007597; PMCID: PMC12470247.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12470247/#:~:text=Consequently%2C%20disaster%20response%20workers%20have,range%20of%20other%20psychosocial%20risks.

Not on EMs but Emergency Mgt. Depts:

White SC, Harris CH, Gopaul R, Smyth JM (2025) Stigma and barriers to seeking mental health care among emergency department providers – A mixed methods study. PLOS Mental Health 2(11): e0000489.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000489

Effective Stakeholder Management and Leadership in Emergency Management

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0400

Effective Stakeholder Management & Leadership in Emergency Management Projects

This podcast episode features Adam Suktkus, an instructor at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University and adjunct lecturer at the College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity at the State University of New York at Albany. Adam discusses his extensive experience in emergency management, including his roles at CalOES and as a trainer with FEMA. The conversation covers key strategies for managing communication with stakeholders in high-pressure situations, handling schedule and budget constraints, effective leadership without direct authority, and dealing with power dynamics. Adam also shares insights on the importance of flexibility and resilience in a field characterized by complexity and uncertainty.

00:00 Introduction to Adam Sutkus

00:57 Effective Stakeholder Management in Emergency Projects

06:37 Strategies for Handling Power Dynamics

11:33 Navigating Project Challenges and Scope Creep

16:08 Leadership in Emergency Management

22:43 Preparing Future Emergency Managers

26:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About

Adam Sutkus is NDEMU (EMI)/FEMA Instructor, and is also an Adjunct Lecturer, State University of NY at Albany, College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity. He worked with both California State Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and and the California State University system and five years with the federal government at U.S. EPA. In 2020 he retired from the State of California Specialized Training Unit (CSTU) as an Instructor/Trainer.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sutkus-91032b6/

Sutkus, Adam, University at Albany, State University of New York. CALIFORNIA'S AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS: A SUCCESSFUL STATE/FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP, February 1995; International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings 1995(1):924-925

DOI:10.7901/2169-3358-1995-1-924

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0400

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

In this episode, Erika Andresen, a recognized business continuity expert, discusses the critical importance of preparedness for businesses, sharing insights from her latest books and experiences, including the response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Key topics include the role of risk management, the limitations of relying solely on insurance, and practical steps for businesses to implement effective continuity planning. Erika also touches upon the psychological impacts of disasters, the importance of mental health in emergency management, and offers valuable advice for small and medium-sized enterprises to bolster their resilience.

Timestamps

01:00 Introduction to Erika Andresen

02:03 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Asheville

06:01 Recovery Efforts in Asheville

08:56 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene

15:37 The Importance of Business Continuity

31:21 Erika's Final Thoughts

About

Erika Andresen, JD, CBCP, MPA, is a recognized expert and consultant in Business Continuity. She has nearly two decades of experience as a lawyer in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert in national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands including during high-risk situations while deployed in Afghanistan. Erika left active duty in 2020 and started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. Erika is also a professor of emergency management for the MPA program at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Erika is a widely quoted expert and has been featured in a variety of publications, including Forbes, ProPublica, and SUCCESS Magazine. She is a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, addressed private events for Fortune 500 companies, and is an invited lecturer for both MIT's "Advanced Business Resiliency" and "Crisis Management and Business Resilience" courses. Her experience surviving Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, inspired her second book, When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters. Her first book, How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, has sold every month since it was released in September 2022.

Erika is a fan of combining her Emergency Management background with Business Continuity to maximize impact for community resilience. She is also a 2x Amazon Best Seller, international podcast guest, recovering lawyer, and generally a hoot (so she’s told).

Links

Erika as a Service (EasS) Website

https://www.eaasc.com/meet-erika

Get Your FREE BC Worksheet

https://www.eaasc.com/free-worksheet

Books

When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow, and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters

https://www.amazon.com/When-Sh-Hits-Fan-Disasters/dp/B0DZ2N43CS/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-3&text=Erika+Andresen

How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong

https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Kill-Your-Business/dp/199018538X/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-4&text=Erika+Andresen

Leadership and Team Dynamics in Emergency Management

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0400

Part 2 of my podcast with Michael Stone, President of the IFRC Alumni Association features a discussion on leadership and team dynamics within the context of emergency management and Red Cross principles. They reflect on effective leadership practices during their IFRC mission in Georgia (former Soviet Republic), and highlight key strategies such as monthly staff gatherings, fostering equality among international and national staff, and leveraging national staff talents. The conversation includes anecdotes about cultural integration, the importance of respect for national identity, and the value of collaborations with NGOs.

Timestamps

Introduction and Acknowledgements — 00:00

Diplomacy and Leadership Insights — 01:29

Reflections on Mission in Georgia — 01:51

National and International Staff Dynamics — 03:47

Cultural Integration and Team Building — 05:44

Challenges and Achievements in Georgia — 07:49

Leadership Anecdotes and Lessons — 12:30

About Michael:

Michael Stone currently serves as the President of the IFRC Alumni Association, where he fosters a global network of former Red Cross and Red Crescent staff. A distinguished humanitarian specialist, he has spent decades managing complex emergency responses for refugees and internally displaced persons. Stone formerly served as the Head of International Operations for the British Red Cross, directing major relief efforts in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. He is perhaps best known for orchestrating and leading Princess Diana’s historic 1997 anti-landmine mission to Angola, a pivotal moment in the global campaign to ban landmines. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles with the United Nations and various international NGOs.

Listen to the first part of this interview in episode 21, where Michael presents the 12 Laws for Effective Emergency Management.

For more information on the IFRC Alumni Association:

https://www.ifrcalumni.org/

The 12 Laws for Effective Emergency Response-Michael Stone, IFRC Alumni Assoc. President, Part 1

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0400

In part 1 of this insightful interview, Michael Stone, President of the IFRC Alumni Association, shares his extensive experience in humanitarian response and introduces his "Twelve Laws for Effective Emergency Response." Drawing from decades of fieldwork and leadership, Stone discusses the importance of understanding local contexts, ethical action, and the need for clear communication and teamwork in crisis situations. His practical wisdom and real-world anecdotes offer valuable lessons for emergency managers, humanitarian professionals, and anyone interested in effective leadership during times of crisis.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction for Michael Stone, his background, and the purpose of the episode.

05:00 – Michael Stone’s Humanitarian Journey: Michael shares his career path, early experiences, and key lessons from international humanitarian work.

THE TWELVE LAWS FOR EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

1. THE LAW OF RELATIONS: Seek first to understand, then be understood. [14:32]

Michael discusses the importance of humility and understanding local context before acting.

2. THE LAW OF SEEING: People see the world not as it is, but as they are. [18:28]

Explores how personal biases and perspectives shape our understanding of situations.

3. THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY: At the heart of all our minds is love and fear. Examines the core motivators behind human behavior in crisis [20:24]

4. THE LAW OF LANGUAGE: The most important communication may have no words. Highlights nonverbal communication and its power in emergencies. [23:34]

5. THE LAW OF DOING GOOD: It is not enough to do good, good must be done well. Stresses the need for quality and effectiveness in humanitarian action. [26:14]

6. THE LAW OF QUANTITY: Less is more. Advocates for brevity and clarity in communication and reporting. [27:34]

7. THE LAW OF CAUSALITY: Everything is created by something before. Emphasizes the importance of understanding history and context. [31:06]

8. THE LAW OF REALITY 1: Everything is about something else. Encourages looking beyond surface issues to underlying causes. [34:22]

9. THE LAW OF REALITY 2: The act of observation alters what is seen. Discusses how the presence of outsiders can change local dynamics and responses. [37:19]

10. THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES: Any action has results that are not part of the actor’s intention. Warns of unexpected outcomes in humanitarian interventions. [44:14]

11. THINKING: The thinking which created the problem cannot be used to solve it. Calls for new approaches and perspectives to solve persistent problems. [47:28]

12. ENDS: Bad means are not justified by good ends. Affirms the importance of ethical action, even in pursuit of noble goals. [49:14]

52:00 – Reflections and Closing: Michael reflects on teamwork, leadership, and the importance of learning from experience. I provide a preview of Part 2: Leadership insights, cultural integration, and more.

About Michael:

Listen to the second part of this interview in episode 22, where we discus effective emergency leadership/teamwork. the IFRC Georgia mission, equity, respect, and UN and NGO collaboration.

For more information on the IFRC Alumni Association:

https://www.ifrcalumni.org/

Navigating Crisis: Leadership Insights from Global Retail Titans- Andrea Davis, The Resiliency Initiative

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:03:00 -0400

The principal focus of our discussion centers around the critical importance of risk management as a foundational element in emergency management and business continuity planning. We delve into the transformative leadership experiences during crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as exemplified by our guest, Andrea Davis, who has extensive experience in both corporate and governmental sectors. Throughout our conversation, we explore the necessity of collaboration between various departments, emphasizing the need to dismantle silos within organizations to enhance resilience. Andrea shares her insights on practical strategies that have proven effective in implementing emergency management initiatives, drawing from her tenure at notable corporations such as Walmart and Disney. Ultimately, our dialogue underscores the imperative of proactive planning and cohesive teamwork to navigate the complexities of modern emergencies effectively.

Takeaways:

The significance of leadership during crises is amplified by hands-on involvement and genuine concern for employees' welfare.
Effective emergency management necessitates collaboration between risk management and crisis planning departments to ensure comprehensive preparedness.
In times of uncertainty, organizations must prioritize risk assessment as a foundational step to safeguard their operations and resources.
Successful crisis response relies heavily on proactive planning and the establishment of well-structured task forces to address unforeseen challenges.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Walmart
Disney
Pinnacle Performance Management
Resiliency Initiative
ABC
ESPN

About Andrea:

Andrea Davis is President and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative, a Women-Owned Small Business, founded to support whole-community preparedness and recovery. Davis is a leading emergency management expert known for uniting public and private sectors to improve disaster risk reduction. She has held leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. government, and major NGOs, consistently advancing global initiatives that emphasize risk-informed decisions and inclusive community engagement.

At FEMA’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Office, she oversaw media, intergovernmental, and congressional operations for a $25 billion recovery effort, helping restore FEMA’s reputation through innovative outreach, credited with transforming public perception. In the private sector, she led global crisis management programs for multinational corporations, designing emergency trainings, mass notification systems, and employee preparedness initiatives.

Davis is deeply committed to volunteer service and chairs the boards of the California Resiliency Alliance and the Northwest Arkansas Red Cross and serves on advisory boards for I-DIEM and the Dr. Lucy Jones Foundation, including past leadership roles at the American Red Cross and Save the Children. As a highly decorated leader, Davis has been recognized as a top inspiring CEO, the inaugural Emergency Manager of the Year, and an inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame for Emergency Management. Her expertise includes crisis strategic planning, brand management, and continuity of operations.

For more information on the Resiliency Initiative , see: https://www.theresiliencyinitiative.com/

Resilience Thomas Croall

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 21:26:00 -0400

In episode 19 of Riding the Wave- PM4EM, my guest was Thomas Croall. We spoke about organizational and operation resilience, how corporations are addressing increasing risk factors in the post pandemic world, and how emergency management and business continuity are integrated into Enterprise Risk Management.

A longer bio is given below and contact info and links below that:

Thomas is a Resilience, Crisis, Continuity, Risk & Governance Expert. His broad experience extends across all areas of strategic, tactical and operational crisis management and continuity planning. He has worked in the public sector and blue-chip organisations.

Thomas was responsible for establishing an ISO 22301 certified business continuity capability for National Savings & Investments and Aegon's life protection business. In his previous roles, Thomas developed and led the business continuity and crisis management programmes for both Manchester City Council and HSBC Insurance Europe. In 2012 Thomas worked in the London Operation Centre (LOC) as Duty Supervisor for the London Resilience Team on the London 2012 Olympics.

Most recently, Thomas co-authored “Rail Resilience Review” – a resilience-based assessments/gap analysis of integrated emergency management capability across all UK rail infrastructure and train operating companies. He designed the Rail Resilience Programme plan leading to a Department of Transport funded 3-year programme of cross-industry improvements.

Thomas has dealt with many major incidents having led the contingency planning to events such as national and regional electoral counts, major protests, and incidents such as computer viruses, H1N1 flu, severe winter weather and security threats. He is a former UK delegation principle expert at the ISO TC223 Societal Security Technical Committee where he was a contributing author to 'ISO 22325:2016 Emergency management - Guidelines for capability assessment' and 'ISO 22322:2015 Emergency management - Guidelines for public warning'.

He has previously chaired Scottish Continuity and Emergency Planning Society Business Continuity Working Group and is a founding member of the City Security and Resilience Networks Advisory Council. Thomas developed the 'Business Continuity for Dummies' concept and brought together the project team that have produced the innovative Government endorsed book. In 2011 Thomas was highly commended as CIR ‘Public Sector Continuity Manager of the Year’. Thomas holds his Global Executive MBA, is a Member of the Emergency Planning Society, an Associate Member of the Business Continuity Institute and is a Specialist Member of the Institute of Risk Management.

A longer version of this interview may be found on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/5kpTctiuAlM

Contact and links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascroall/

Thomas' thought provoking article on Fairweather Business Models

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fair-weather-business-models-wont-stand-up-against-charging-croall?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&utm_campaign=share_via

Rail Resilience Project (RRP) Emergency Management Review: Findings and Recommendations Report

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/media-centre-docman/12968-rail-resilience-project-report-final-version/file.html

UK Civil Continencies Act:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/36/contents

Chesterton's Fence:

https://fs.blog/chestertons-fence/

RIMS Enterprise Risk Management:

https://www.rims.org/community/global-professionals/rims-in-india/enterprise-risk-management

Find out more about our PM4EM workshop:

https://www.pinnacleperformancemanagement.com/planning-workshop

Find out more about the book Riding the Wave-PM4EM:

http://www.pm4em.com/

Stakeholder Mgt with Kit Lee-Demery

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:47:00 -0400

Kit Lee-Demery is an emergency management professional with public, private, and higher education sector experiences. Kit is the Senior Manager of Business Continuity for Proskauer Rose and is responsible for business continuity and crisis management for the firm. Kit is also an adjunct at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Previously, Kit worked for Pace University, where she led the development and implementation of the University’s emergency management and fire life safety program.

Kit began her career with the NYC Emergency Management, working alongside CERT to prepare and respond to disasters in New York City. She then worked at the Office of Chief Medical Examiners and contributed to the regional mass fatality plan, trained hospitals on mass fatality management, and was involved in COOP planning. Kit holds instructor certifications in Stop the Bleed and adult/pediatric first aid, CPR, and AED. Additionally, she Co-Chairs NYCEM’s public and private sector partnership’s Legal Forum. Kit is part of FBI InfraGard and a member of NYPD SHIELD.

Kit received her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Pace University and her MPA, specializing in emergency management, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is also a graduate of the FBI Citizens’ Academy.

In episode 18 we spoke about stakeholder management in EM/BC programs, how to leverage your network internally and externally to maintain and sustain an EM/BC Program, and what are the unique attractions of the EM profession. For a longer version of our interview, see: https://youtu.be/x4JWyLkl_9A

Risk And Recovery with Todd De Voe, EM Network

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

We are kicking off a re-inauguration of the podcast, and I have as my guest Todd T. De Voe. In this episode we discussed risk and recovery topics, including the Gray Rhino, antifragility, disaster risk reduction, and his 30-60-90 day recovery planning framework. See referenced links below his bio.

A full version of our conversation can be found at: https://youtu.be/AvUUUmtDQMg

Todd T. De Voe, MPA, CEM® is the Editor in Chief of the Emergency Management Network, President of IAEM Region 9, and Vice President of the Foundation for the Research and Advancement of Emergency Management. Todd's involvement in Emergency Response, Emergency Management, Education and Volunteer Management started in 1989 when he became a volunteer firefighter in upstate New York. In 1991 Todd joined the United States Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. In 2005 Todd was hired by the City of Dana Point as the Emergency Services Coordinator. In 2008 Todd was asked to be on a steering committee for Coastline Community College, as they developed their emergency management program, later that year Todd was invited to join the faculty.

Today Todd is an instructor of Emergency Management at California State University Fullerton for the MPA program and, The University of California Irvine’s Certificate of Emergency Management. Todd is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Executive Academy’s Cohort VII. He is also the IAEM Region 9 representative on the University and Colleges Caucus.

Links referenced in the podcast:

Todd De Voe's EM Network: https://emnmedia.com/todd-t-de-voe/

Todd's blogpost on the 30-60-90 day principle of disaster recovery planning:

https://emnetwork.substack.com/p/the-30-60-90-day-principle-of-disaster?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2F%2520The%252030-60-90%2520Day%2520Principle%2520of%2520Disaster%2520Recovery&utm_medium=reader2#details

Antifragility: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/176227/antifragile-by-nassim-nicholas-taleb/

The miracle house in Lahaina Maui:

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/1195331310/red-roof-house-fires-lahaina-hawaii

The "Sand Palace" in Mexico Beach FL:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/us/hurricane-michael-florida-mexico-beach-house.html

NPR series on the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston:

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1115298139/below-the-waterlines-houston-after-hurricane-harvey

Preparedness Matters with Vincent Davis

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:00:00 -0400

I spoke with Vincent B. Davis, Founder of Preparedness Matters Consulting and serves as Director of Disaster Services for Feeding America. Prior to joining Feeding America in January 2020, he served as workplace resiliency manager at Amazon, where he developed disaster frameworks to support the company’s 175 corporate offices. Before joining Amazon, Vince was senior preparedness manager for Sony PlayStation in San Diego, and manager of preparedness and response at Walgreens Co., where he developed disaster programs for their 8,600 U.S. stores and distribution facilities. Following a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Air Force and Illinois National Guard, Vince served as external affairs and community relations officer at FEMA, managing field teams for 11 Presidential disasters including the Utica Illinois Tornado, and Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. After leaving FEMA Vince served as regional preparedness manager for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, where he led research and development of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Go To 2040 Report on Emergency Preparedness, a 30-year planning effort to improve community disaster resilience. Vince was principal developer of the FEMA Regional Catastrophic Incident Coordination Plan for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, a plan for mass care of a million residents of the Chicagoland region.

Vince is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), conferred by the International Association of Emergency Managers. In 2019, he completed the FEMA National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) for senior leaders, becoming one of the first group of 473 emergency managers nationally to graduate from the program. A passionate advocate for disaster literacy and underserved community preparedness, Vince has authored three books, Lost and Turned Out, A Guide to Preparing Underserved Communities for Disasters (Amazon 2012), and The Native Family Disaster Preparedness Handbook (Heritage Publishing 2017), and the Emergency Guidebook for Broadcasters Serving Indian Country in collaboration with Native Public Media. He has worked with numerous organizations as a consultant, mentor, and contributor to improve outcomes for underserved populations in disasters worldwide.

Vince is a lifetime member of the Black Emergency Managers Association International (BEMA), an Advisory Board Member for the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM), Honorary Chair for the International Council for Women’s Leadership in Emergency Management and Business Continuity (ICWL), and Advisory Board member for the Homeland Security Center of Excellence, Piece College, Washington.

We spoke about his recent open letter to the nominated Administrator for FEMA, Deanne Criswell (current Commissioner of NYC's Emergency Management Department) about the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion, how to meaningfully engage communities of color and marginalized communities in emergency preparedness and management, why we need to focus on community preparedness, and how we might address issues with the inequities wrought by the COVID-19 response.

Mr. Davis’ open letter to nominated Deanne Criswell:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vbdavis_an-open-letter-to-fema-administrator-deanne-activity-6757299215191408640-Ikdc

Citations on health inequities:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425845/

Chart of hierarchy of systemic areas to address:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425845/bin/img-130.jpg

Original research with the data

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4322

Why I Became An Anti-Disaster Kit Advocate

http://www.preparednessmatters.net/blog/why-i-became-an-anti-disaster-kit-advocate

Managing Expectations and Role of EM - Todd DeVoe EM Weekly

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 15:31:00 -0400

I spoke with Todd De Voe, an emergency management educator and the host of EM Weekly, Business Continuity Today, Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo’s Prepare, Respond, Recover Show and is also the Produce the EM Student's Show. Todd's involvement in Emergency Response, Emergency Management, Education, and Volunteer Management started when he became a firefighter in upstate New York. Todd joined the United States Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. He served as an emergency medical responder (EMT) in some of Los Angeles County's toughest parts after his service. Todd's first emergency management position was with the City of Dana Point. He led the city's effort to become the second city in California to earn the TsunamiReady designation from the National Weather Service. Todd helped the County of Orange become the first county in the nation to receive the TsunamiReady destination. The City of Seal Beach recruited Todd to develop its emergency management program. Todd responded to the Salon Meritage shooting, the worst mass murder in the history of Orange County. The lessons learned after the event highlighted the role of emergency managers during these types of events. Todd left Seal Beach and moved to emergency management in higher education. Coastline Community College asked Todd to join the steering committee to help develop their emergency management program. Later that year, he was invited to join the faculty. Today, Todd continues to teach for Coastline College and The University of California Irvine. Todd is a lifelong learner, and he is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Executive Academy's Cohort VII. He continues to research and write about important emergency management issues, crisis leadership, business continuity, and community re-license. Todd is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers and is on the Region 9 board.

We spoke about managing stakeholder expectations, how the role of the EM is changing, making the case to invest in mitigation projects, and his opinion on dealing with impacts of climate change. Todd is a prolific producer, educator, and networker, and has created an incredible volume of digital media on emergency management and is a voracious student and teacher in this industry.

Some links referenced:

EM Weekly

https://sitchradio.com/shows/em-weekly/

Todd De Voe's professional website

https://toddtdevoe.com/

Master Link for Todd De Voe

https://linktr.ee/emweekly

His email address for contact: devoet@uci.edu

Cyberinsurance- Celia Seigerman Levit, VP Risk Management at Olive Tree Holdings

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:33:00 -0400

This episode features Celia Seigerman-Levit, VP Risk Mgt., Olive Tree Holdings. Prior to Olive Tree Holdings, Celia was the Director of Risk Management at Sotheby's, Yeshiva University, and at the Related Companies, and lead the risk management consulting practice at Alliant Insurance Services, a large National Insurance Broker where her team provided outsourced risk management to a variety of industries including real estate, hospitality, manufacturing and non- profit organizations. Celia’s areas of expertise include: traditional risk transfer, alternative risk finance, captives, as well as loss control and claims management. Celia is best known for helping organizations determine their risk appetite and then design a program utilizing risk management tools to help mitigate their exposure to losses.

We talked about cybersecurity and cyber insurance, gaps she sees in cyber resilience, and the value companies can obtain from cyber insurance.

Cybersecurity-Alexander Grijalva - Security Hourglass

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:04:00 -0400

In episode 13, we talked with Alexander Grijalva, who is an adjunct professor at New York City College of Technology, and owner of Security Hourglass, a cyber risk management consulting company. He is also the Chief Information Security Officer at VillageCare, a community healthcare provider, in New York City.

His 30-year cybersecurity career has covered the financial, retail, and healthcare sectors, from sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 organizations. Alexander focuses on cyber risk management and incident response. He assists individuals and organizations in understanding and remediating their cyber threats and risks, and helps them respond to hacking incidents and breaches.

He has presented at industry conferences in the United States. Aside from his college professorship, he also teaches a HIPAA privacy and security course at Columbia University in their Health IT certificate program.

We spoke about common lines of cybersecurity attacks, why medium sized businesses should take precautions and what they can do.

Public - Private/Partnerships in Emergency Management; Steve Gutkin Acting Director of NJOHSP

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:57:00 -0400

This podcast episode is a re-edited version of a conversation I had with Steve Gutkin, currently Senior Vice President of Global Crisis Management & Business Continuity at NBCUniversal Media. Steve was formerly the Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Prior to serving in that role, he was Deputy Director in charge of leading the State's counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, resilience, executive protection, and crisis management.

We discussed how the energy sector has increased it’s resiliency following Hurricane Sandy and how his agency plays a key role in building public/private partnerships, helping industry to respond to and recover from disasters, and the establishment of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) that is the first its kind center in any US State to help increase cybersecurity through all sectors of society.

For more info, visit: www.cyber.nj.gov

E11 -Disaster Preparedness- Jeff Schlegelmilch, Director of NCDP at Columbia Univ. Earth Institute

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:01:00 -0400

I spoke with Jeff Schlegelmilch, a Research Scholar and the Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. In this role he oversees the operations and strategic planning for the center. Before becoming director, he served as the center's deputy director for more than five years. He also oversees projects related to the practice and policy of disaster preparedness, including the multi-award winning Resilient Children / Resilient Communities Initiative. He is also a Lecturer in the Sustainability Management Program at Columbia’s School of Professional Studies. His areas of expertise include public health preparedness, community resilience and the integration of private and public sector capabilities. Prior his work at Columbia, he was the Manager for the International and Non-Healthcare Business Sector for the Yale New Haven Health System Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response.

He was also previously an epidemiologist and emergency planner for the Boston Public Health Commission. He has advised leaders on preparedness systems and policy at all levels of government. He is an Opinion Contributor with The Hill and is frequently utilized as a subject matter expert for numerous media outlets. He is also the author Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century Megadisasters published by Columbia University Press. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from UMASS Amherst in Health Policy and Management, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Quinnipiac University.

We spoke about project and program management competencies in disaster planning, the challenges in managing different stakeholders, and measuring programs impacts. We also discussed the balance between emerging changes to emergency management and the diversity of community needs, given the increasing catastrophic disasters in the US.

Referenced links:

NCDP website

https://ncdp.columbia.edu/

His book: Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century Megadisasters

http://cup.columbia.edu/book/rethinking-readiness/9780231190411

Resilient Children/Resilient Communities

https://rcrctoolbox.org/

NCDP Guide: Is it OK to send my child to school

https://ncdp.columbia.edu/custom-content/uploads/2020/08/Covid-19_Back-To-School_Final.pdf

Agile Crisis Leadership with Mark Chubb, Chief Resilience Officer for ManitouNW LLC

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:02:00 -0400

This episode features Mark Chubb, Chief Resilience Officer for ManitouNW LLC and Senior Fire Analyst at CODE LLC Corp.This is an extract from the webinar From Surviving to Thriving: How to Manage Crises and Create a Resilient Organization. Marks speaks about the application of agile crisis management in Bangladesh following the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 and the Portland Oregon Police Department following a series of officer involved shootings in 2008.

The Black Wave, featuring Dr. Daniel Aldrich Northeastern

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:49:00 -0400

I spoke with Dr. Daniel P. Aldrich who is a professor and director of the Security and Resilience Program at Northeastern University. He researches post-disaster recovery, countering violent extremism, the siting of controversial facilities and the interaction between civil society and the state. He has published five books, more than fifty peer reviewed articles, and written op-eds for The New York Times, CNN, Asahi Shinbun, along with appearing on popular media outlets such as CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, and HuffPost. His research has been funded by the Fulbright Foundation, the Abe Foundation, and the National Science Foundation, and he has carried out more than five years of fieldwork in Japan, India, Africa, and the Gulf Coast. Please see the following link for a longer bio: http://daldrich.weebly.com/bio--cv.html

We spoke about how social capital can bring people together both here in the USA and overseas to demonstrate greater resilience in the face of COVID-19 and how communities can establish stronger social ties while maintaining physical distance and stay-at-home measures. We also discussed the use of the term physical distancing vs. social distancing.

Dr. Aldrich’s website:

http://daldrich.weebly.com/

The Black Wave:

https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo40026774.html

Social capital's role in humanitarian crises

https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/19042

How We Got Here, Where We Need to Go-Andrew Boyarsky President Pinnacle Performance Management

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:46:00 -0400

For the latest help with responding to COVID-19, catch us at www.pinnacleperformancemanagement.com

Since many of my guests on the podcast are professionals in emergency management and business continuity and have been going at full steam in response to COVID-19, it has been difficult to schedule interviews lately, and, to be clear, I have been jammed lately.

In this episode, once again the tables are turned, and I am interviewed by Dean Kameros, a friend, neighbor, and fan of the podcast. Dean works for a Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical company, and I want to thank him for playing host and allowing me to be the guest. We talked about what led up to this situation with COVID-19, how things are being handled, and what needs to be done in the immediate term, and what we might expect.

Links to sites that I reference in the podcast:

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.who.int/

https://www.nih.gov/

https://www.jhsph.edu/

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Be Prepared (if we only did) Andrew Boyarsky President Pinnacle Performance Management

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 14:20:00 -0400

Episode 7

In this episode, the table is turned on me, and your regular host, Andrew Boyarsky, is interviewed by Katherine Boyarsky , the host’s niece who is a healthcare specialist (both bios below).

In this episode we discuss how healthcare professionals and organizations need to prepare for handling COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, in their operations and what they may expect in the near term.

Andrew Boyarsky, MSM, PMP, CBCP, is President of Pinnacle Performance Management, and an emergency management and disaster recovery specialist with 25 years of experience in project management and 18 years in emergency management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor in Project and Emergency Management at NYU and John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY).

Katherine Boyarsky is a registered nurse and oncology specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. She also co-owns CXD Studio, a creative marketing agency, where she is responsible for managing marketing and copywriting services. Katherine is a regular contributor for Florence Health, a site dedicated to sharing information from healthcare providers to fellow providers.

Links that we discuss in this episode:

Johns Hopkins CSSE Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information on COVID-19 for Healthcare Professionals: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19) technical guidance for patient management: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/patient-management

E6 - The DARPA Project that Could Have Been, Dante Disparte, Chairman Risk Cooperative

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 22:41:00 -0400

In this episode, I spoke with Dante Disparte, who is the founder and CEO of Risk Cooperative, a strategy, risk and capital management firm focused on mid-market opportunities, market expansion and innovation on a global scale. He is the co-author of the book “Global Risk Agility and Decision Making” and was recently selected as one of the 40 leaders under 40 by the Washington Business Journal and among the top 100 most influential leaders in D.C., in the inaugural Powermeter 100 list. Prior to forming Risk Cooperative, Mr. Disparte served as the managing director of Clements Worldwide, a leading insurance brokerage with customers in more than 170 countries. He is also the Vice Chairman and Head of Policy and Communications for the Libra Association.

We talked about his proposed idea for a public/private initiative to fund bioterrorism and pandemic preparedness, the potential impacts to the insurance industry, and what risk managers can do to better prepare for a pandemic.

The World Needs a DARPA-Style Project to Prevent Pandemics by Tom Ridge and Dante Disparte

https://hbr.org/2017/04/the-world-needs-a-darpa-style-project-to-prevent-pandemics

Pandemic Flu, Jessica Cole DOHMH

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 22:52:00 -0400

I spoke with Jessica Cole, MA, the Senior Incident Specific Planner for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). In this role, Mrs. Cole is responsible for the coordination of planning for a wide variety of possible threats, such as novel disease outbreaks and radiological incidents. Prior to this position, Mrs. Cole was the Agency’s Pandemic Influenza Coordinator. In this capacity, she was responsible for the planning and revision of the Agency’s pandemic plan. Prior to her positions in DOHMH, Mrs. Cole was an Adjunct Professor in emergency management, a pandemic planner for a major financial institution, risk management consultant, and pandemic program manager for a private medical services company in addition to working for 4 years as an investigator for NYC’s Department of Investigation. She received two Masters, one from the University of Chicago in Social Sciences and another from John Jay College with a special certification in terrorism studies. She attended Barnard College as an undergraduate.

We spoke about what a pandemic influenza is, its potential impacts, and how the Dept. of Health and its partners in New York City are prepared, and how you can prepare. Here is a link to a checklist on how to prepare for pan-flu: https://www.pinnacleperformancemanagement.com/blog/dont-waste-a-crisis

Engaging Local Communities- Olivia Scriven, FEMA NDRS Recovery Support Crew Lead

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0400

I spoke by phone with Dr. Olivia A. Scriven at FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Dr. Scriven serves as the Academia Advisor for FEMA’s National Disaster Recovery Support (“NDRS”) cadre. Dr. Scriven has leveraged her background and experience to launch an initiative to link communities impacted by Hurricane Michael – a Category 5 storm which devastated the Florida Panhandle -- with technical expertise from colleges and universities to support long-term recovery. These efforts range from dual-use resiliency centers designed to support large-scale community gatherings during “blue skies” and serve as hardened shelters able to withstand catastrophic winds in times of disaster. Dr. Scriven continues to consult nationally, is regularly invited to serve on peer-review panels for the NSF, and her research exploring historically Black colleges and universities and pioneering African American women in the U.S. scientific enterprise has appeared in books published by Oxford University Press and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Dr. Scriven earned the master’s and doctoral degree in the history and sociological studies of science and technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also holds a master’s in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University, where she also earned the bachelor’s degree.

She and I spoke about this program and the role project management methods and techniques play in engaging local communities and managing expectations. More info about FEMA’s assistance in the recovery following Hurricane Michael can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2019/10/08/hurricane-michael-one-year-later-federal-aid-panhandle-nears-19b

The 311 Disaster in a Coastal Town-Kiyoshi Murakami, Mayoral Advisor Rikuzentakata

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0400

I spoke with Dr. Kiyoshi Murakami, about his work and leadership in the aftermath of the Great Sendai Earthquake. Dr. Murakami is Special Representative of the Mayor & Senior Executive Advisor for the City of Rikunzentakata and Assistant Professor at Iwate University. We spoke at the RISE 2019 conference held at SUNY Albany, New York. We talked about how he helped to organize efforts to recover from and rebuild after a catastrophic disaster. Come along with us as we ride the wave!

The following items are referenced in the podcast:

Black Wave: How Networks and Governance Shaped Japan’s 3/11 Disasters

https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo40026774.html

A presentation by Prof. Dr. Kiyoshi Murakami of Iwate University

https://youtu.be/AKRz4tkgNZc

Design Thinking and Resilience-Jorge Vanegas, Dean College Of Architecture, Texas A&M

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to disaster risk reduction and resilience, what is design thinking and what are the elements that form this approach? How do we involve our communities? And how does Texas A&M work with different communities to help increase regional resilience as a whole? Listen in on my conversation with Dr. Jorge A. Vanegas, Dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University and research professor with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. We spoke at the RISE 2019 Conference held at SUNY Albany.

More info on the RISE Conference:https://www.albany.edu/rise2019/home.html

Critical Skills for Emergency Management-David Kang Director Of Planning And Exercises, FEMA

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0400

I spoke by phone with Mr. David Kang at FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, DC. David Kang currently serves as the Director for the Planning and Exercise Division, Response Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In this role Mr. Kang oversees the development of the nation’s interagency and joint local, state and Federal response plans for catastrophic incidents and FEMA’s exercise conduct. Prior to his position at FEMA headquarters, Mr. Kang worked in the State and Local Homeland Security and Emergency Management field as a Program Manager for Operations, Preparedness, and Planning for the State of Alaska. In Operations, Mr. Kang worked response and initial recovery operations in the State Emergency Operations Center for numerous disasters and full-scale exercises. Internationally, Mr. Kang was the U.S. Lead Planner in the development and implementation for the Government of Ukraine’s Energy Action and Resiliency Plans and had numerous engagements with the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Programs.

In our interview, we talked about what aspects of project management and skills are critical to effective emergency planning and management, in particular hazard mitigation and operational planning, as well as infrastructure recovery. The FEMA Operational Planning Manual is an excellent example of what Director Kang is referring to in our interview, and may be found at: https://emilms.fema.gov/is_2002/media/142.pdf