In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, Kyle King challenges the core assumptions of American emergency management. He contrasts FEMA’s focus on efficiency with Europe’s emphasis on survival, revealing why traditional measures like response time and coordination no longer reflect the realities of modern disasters. Drawing on examples such as the Texas floods, Hurricane Maria, and the Texas winter storm, Kyle explains why it's time to measure how long communities can function without help, not how fast help can arrive.
Tune in for a critical look at outdated preparedness models, a fresh perspective from European strategies, and a path forward that prioritizes resilience over speed.
Show Highlights [01:38] Why it is urgent to rethink how we measure disaster preparedness [02:05] A look at the performance metrics in American emergency management [03:05] The assumptions built into current disaster response strategies [03:32] How Europe’s wartime mindset shapes crisis preparedness for survival [05:27] Real-world failures from Texas floods to Hurricane Maria [09:13] What the U.S. can learn from Europe’s focus on self-sufficiency and resilience [12:40] A call to shift American emergency management from efficiency to endurance [14:38] Reflections on building readiness for disasters when help may not come

In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, Kyle King challenges the core assumptions of American emergency management. He contrasts FEMA’s focus on efficiency with Europe’s emphasis on survival, revealing why traditional measures like response time and coordination no longer reflect the realities of modern disasters. Drawing on examples such as the Texas floods, Hurricane Maria, and the Texas winter storm, Kyle explains why it's time to measure how long communities can function without help, not how fast help can arrive. Tune in for a critical look at outdated preparedness models, a fresh perspective from European strategies, and a path forward that prioritizes resilience over speed. Show Highlights [01:38] Why it is urgent to rethink how we measure disaster preparedness [02:05] A look at the performance metrics in American emergency management [03:05] The assumptions built into current disaster response strategies [03:32] How Europe’s wartime mindset shapes crisis preparedness for survival [05:27] Real-world failures from Texas floods to Hurricane Maria [09:13] What the U.S. can learn from Europe’s focus on self-sufficiency and resilience [12:40] A call to shift American emergency management from efficiency to endurance [14:38] Reflections on building readiness for disasters when help may not come

In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, Kyle King challenges the core assumptions of American emergency management.&nbsp;He contrasts FEMA’s focus on efficiency with Europe’s emphasis on survival, revealing why traditional measures like response time and coordination no longer reflect the realities of modern disasters. Drawing on examples such as the Texas floods, Hurricane Maria, and the Texas winter storm, Kyle explains why it's time to measure how long communities can function without help, not how fast help can arrive.
Tune in for a critical look at outdated preparedness models, a fresh perspective from European strategies, and a path forward that prioritizes resilience over speed.
Show Highlights [01:38] Why it is urgent to rethink how we measure disaster preparedness [02:05] A look at the performance metrics in American emergency management [03:05] The assumptions built into current disaster response strategies [03:32] How Europe’s wartime mindset shapes crisis preparedness for survival [05:27] Real-world failures from Texas floods to Hurricane Maria [09:13] What the U.S. can learn from Europe’s focus on self-sufficiency and resilience [12:40] A call to shift American emergency management from efficiency to endurance [14:38] Reflections on building readiness for disasters when help may not come

Are We Measuring Against the Wrong Thing?

When Crisis Management Requires More Than Expertise Alone

The Crisis Lab Podcast serves senior professionals ready to transform domain expertise into strategic influence. Each episode bridges critical intersections where today's most consequential crisis management insights emerge—between military and humanitarian perspectives, government and private sector approaches, technical knowledge and policy impact.

Our conversations go beyond tactical solutions to address the questions that experienced professionals actually face:

- How do you adapt established frameworks when crises refuse to respect traditional boundaries?

- Where are the opportunities to shape policy rather than simply implement it?

- What approaches work when complex challenges cascade across interconnected systems?


Hosted by crisis management veterans who understand the difference between theoretical frameworks and real-world application, each episode features decision-makers who have led through the world's most challenging crisis scenarios. These aren't academic discussions—they're strategic conversations that help you expand your influence beyond technical knowledge.

The Crisis Lab Podcast connects you with a community of 20,000+ senior professionals actively shaping how organizations and nations prepare for and respond to emerging threats. These relationships create opportunities that technical expertise alone cannot unlock.

Subscribe to join the conversations that matter at the highest levels of crisis management, policy, and strategic resilience.

Society & Culture

Education

Self-Improvement

Government

When Crisis Management Requires More Than Expertise Alone The Crisis Lab Podcast serves senior professionals ready to transform domain expertise into strategic influence. Each episode bridges critical intersections where today's most consequential crisis management insights emerge—between military and humanitarian perspectives, government and private sector approaches, technical knowledge and policy impact. Our conversations go beyond tactical solutions to address the questions that experienced professionals actually face: - How do you adapt established frameworks when crises refuse to respect traditional boundaries? - Where are the opportunities to shape policy rather than simply implement it? - What approaches work when complex challenges cascade across interconnected systems? Hosted by crisis management veterans who understand the difference between theoretical frameworks and real-world application, each episode features decision-makers who have led through the world's most challenging crisis scenarios. These aren't academic discussions—they're strategic conversations that help you expand your influence beyond technical knowledge. The Crisis Lab Podcast connects you with a community of 20,000+ senior professionals actively shaping how organizations and nations prepare for and respond to emerging threats. These relationships create opportunities that technical expertise alone cannot unlock. Subscribe to join the conversations that matter at the highest levels of crisis management, policy, and strategic resilience.

Share Are We Measuring Against the Wrong Thing?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Are We Measuring Against the Wrong Thing?

Are We Measuring Against the Wrong Thing?

More shows like Crisis Lab

Freakonomics Radio

The Daily

Preparing for the Unexpected

Disaster Tough Podcast

The Ezra Klein Show

HBR On Leadership