Heat and extreme heat continue to impact communities across the globe. We've seen more frequent events and cascading disasters over the past few years. Staying ahead of them requires we review our response plans regularly and make adjustments as needed, but also think about both the short and long-term to ensure a whole community approach to keeping people safe. With that in mind, this episode is the first of a four-part series. In support of FEMA's Summer Ready campaign, we're exploring the effects of extreme heat and how collaborating among local, state, tribal, federal partners can lead to more educated communities. On this episode, we will recap FEMA's recent monumental agency-wide Extreme Heat Summit hosted in Chicago and discuss the events and the impacts for how FEMA will address extreme heat events and our look towards resilience efforts. We also discuss our upcoming Summer Ready campaign to provide awareness and education for high temperatures.

Episode 117: FEMA Hosts an Extreme Heat Summit and Launches #SummerReady

A FEMA podcast highlighting innovation in the field of emergency management and sharing stories of communities and individuals recovering after disasters.

Government & Organizations

Non-Profit

National

Regional

Local

April is Emergency Communications Month, and our friends at CISA are honoring the nation's emergency responders and communicators, emphasizing the importance of emergency communications and the need to work together in building resilient, critical infrastructure. In keeping with the month's theme of resilient together, on today's episode, we are talking about the CISA and FEMA partnership, and the steps partners can take towards resilience through highlighting key resources like GETS and WPS and other tools to help prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Episode 134: Emergency Communications Month - Partnering with CISA to Highlight Key Communication Resources

April is Emergency Communications Month, and our friends at CISA are honoring the nation's emergency responders and communicators, emphasizing the importance of emergency communications and the need to work together in building resilient critical infrastructure. In keeping with the month's theme of resilient together, on today's episode, we are talking about the CISA and FEMA partnership, and the steps partners can take towards resilience through highlighting key resources like GETS and WPS and other tools to help prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Episode 134: Emergency Communications Month - Partnering with CISA to Highlight Key Communications Resources

Voluntary agencies are typically some of the first organizations to respond and are often the last to leave a community, sometimes years after a disaster. The work of federal, state, and local governments is only part of the response and recovery puzzle. In fact, people showing up in times of need as volunteers are a critical piece to serving the needs of disaster survivors. In celebration of April being National Volunteer Month, this episode will focus on the transformative effect volunteers have on disaster response and recovery. The difference that they make in the lives of disaster survivors and the role they play in supporting FEMA's new individual assistance program reforms.

Episode 133: A Nod to the Volunteers Who Help in Times of Need

On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. This is no doubt one of nature's most awe inspiring events. The moon passes between the sun and the earth completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. And while the skies will be graced with this celestial spectacle, at the same time, millions will be captivated across the United States. The day will be filled with festivals and revelers who traveled from far and wide to view the total eclipse in the path of totality. So, on today's episode, we're diving deep into the science behind the phenomenon and general safety precautions with experts from NASA. But then we'll take it back to earth and explore the meticulous planning efforts undertaken by Ohio and Indiana Emergency Management, just two of the states - from Texas to Maine, that are getting ready for April 8th.

Episode 132: With a Total Solar Eclipse on the Radar, Emergency Managers Talk About How They're Preparing for the Crowds

In late 2023, FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, or ODIC, released a new version of its training course IS-368.A "Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Operations." We don't always cover specific FEMA training courses on this podcast, but the purpose of this course is somewhat unique in that it really strives to increase awareness and understanding of the need for full inclusion of disaster survivors and FEMA staff who are people with disabilities in all stages of our disaster planning. Designed for all personnel involved in disaster operations, the course provides an introductory overview of information and strategies to include people with disabilities during mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts. In disasters, the importance of disability, equity, and inclusion can't be overstated. On today's episode, we explore how this course provides the needed guidance to ensure physical program and communication access to the whole community.

Episode 117: FEMA Hosts an Extreme Heat Summit and Launches #SummerReady

Download our free app to listen on your phone