Disaster Dads

In this episode the Dads bring back special guest Robin to discuss his role in the emergency management planning for the Super Bowl. Topics include the interagency coordination process, the in depth preparation undertaken by hospitals, fire, police and federal agencies, and Patriots fan Dan's martini consumption during the second half.

The Accidental Tourist - Situational awareness. Knowing the geography. Having a plan. All of this becomes more difficult when you're traveling, especially when you don't know the language. The Dads bring in an expert to talk about all of this: their buddy Jae. He's a former firefighter buddy. He doesn't have kids but he is a security officer with the UN mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Which may be as challenging as traveling with a two year old. Tough call. 

State Department Travel Info

UN ETB Bags

Grey Man

The Dads review one of the most impactful disaster movies of 1998, Deep Impact! That's right, every now and then, the Dads are going to toss in a totally scientific and accurate review of the best disaster movies out there. We listen to President Freeman and wonder if they were hoping to make a TV series on all the random story lines in this movie. Enjoy! 

Outdoor preparedness, thinking about large crowds: The Dads discuss how to be prepared for hikes with kids, including how Rob braved the wilderness with the most dangerous animal imaginable - two kids! The dads also give tips on surviving at big events like the presidential inauguration and the million women march.  Plus, Frank briefs the Dads on a pleasant return flight from Hawaii where nothing happened ... other than a diabetic emergency and a stroke (in the same row)!

What you should expect to find in an airline med bag

The Dads have been enjoying the holiday bliss and the extra family time. They have also had a few localized disasters tossed their way. This all means that they took a holiday hiatus from "planning" and "prepping" for this episode. Enjoy the short banter and what to expect from the Disaster Dads in 2017. 

The weather outside is frightful, but the conversation is so delightful! And since you've got no place to go...might as well listen to the Dads discuss winter weather emergencies and home front preparedness. Listen to Dan and Joe both fall off the recording, Rob discussing the finer points of living room camping, Frank sharing his tips to preparing an outside faucet for winter, and Erik learning the importance of Calcium Chloride.

Bonus, when you join us for emergency preparedness you also get to go down the rabbit hole of excellent movies from the late '80's. Remember, it's not the Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Tower. 

Get yo' gift on! Today's episode has some helpful gift ideas from the Dads, for the Dads in your life.  Topics include bear fights, battlefield medicine, the importance of owning multiple Leatherman tools, puppy pads, Christmas trees, and, as always, the importance of grommets.  

The gift list:

• GoTenna
• Folding Shovel
• Diaper Bags: Dad Gear and Paperclip
• Leatherman
• Swiss Army Knife
• Whisky
• Poler Bag
• The all powerful Tarp with Grommets

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a full belly! In this episode the Dads talk about safety with family and friends as you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving. The knives may be dull in the house, but the Dads are sharp as ever! Listen for the Dads to endorse their official side of the Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy and be safe this Thanksgiving! 

Bugs Bunny and Kitchen Safety

Happy Election Day, Disaster Dad Nation! Thanks to some scheduling SNAFUs and a 7 game World Series, the Dads (minus Frank) gather via Skype to talk about the biggest disaster in the news: the election. Topics include Dan ranting about national polls vs electoral college, Joe's distrust of polls in general, and Disaster Dad's official endorsement against informal vote "monitoring."

Set your phasers to FUN! The dads get their geek on with two special guests to talk about how space weather could impact the electrical grid. Other topics include the use of aluminum foil as personal protective equipment, the technical specs on a No. 2 pencil, and Erik's love of the short lived show "Revolution" and that Star Trek movie where they needed to go get the whale and bring it to the future because aliens. Also, Rob speaks!!!

Talk to your kids: 

https://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/space-weather

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/spaceweather/en/

The Science:

http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/space-weather

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

The Academics:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mike_Hapgood/publication/248350425_Towards_a_scientific_understanding_of_the_risk_from_extreme_space_weather/links/00b7d52da8f06ef9f2000000.pdf

We were lucky to be joined by two special guests who were classmates of Disaster Dad Erik at Georgetown. 

Denny- An Emergency Operations Program Manager at a nuclear power plan, is responsible for dealing with the fire/EMS/security issues associated with the plant along with any radiological incidents or plant failure. In this role, Denny is concerned about extraterrestrial weather and the impact it can have on the power grid and distribution of electricity. 

Jason- A meteorologist that began his career as a forecaster in the US Air Force, providing terrestrial and space weather support to forces all around the world from Europe to Southeast Asia. Jason now forecasts within the National Weather Service, and serves as an Incident Meteorologist that deploys to disaster incidents anywhere in the country (mainly wildfires) in order to provide on-site weather support to Incident Management Teams. Jason also volunteers at his county's Office of Emergency Management. He recently expanded his knowledge-base in emergency management by completing a master's degree in Georgetown University's Emergency and Disaster Management program.