Disaster Podcast

Tom Cotter, MPH, serves as executive director of Healthcare Ready, bringing more than a decade of global health readiness and response expertise to expand nonprofit’s mission-driven work addressing health equity.

Healthcare Ready is a nonprofit organization established in 2007 to help strengthen the US healthcare system and assist all communities in planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and disease pandemics.

Tom brings his experience with international and domestic emergency response to the challenges of accessing needed supplies and resources during major incidents. Healthcare Ready acts as a bridge to forge public and private partnerships to get needed items to the responders and healthcare professionals who need them.

On the show in addition to our guest were co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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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

Improving Healthcare Response Amid Crises

In the meeting, Jamie Davis, the host of the podcast, introduced the topic of the day, which was about how to get things done in their jobs. He then brought in his co-host, Sam Bradley, who mentioned that there would be snow in the Front Range the next day. The meteorologists weren’t present during the recording, so they planned to catch up with them later in the week. Tom Cotter, the executive director of a nonprofit called Healthcare Ready, joined the conversation. He explained that his organization serves as a public-private partnership to avoid patient disruptions amid crisis by forging partnerships between the healthcare supply chain and government. Tom also shared his background in international and domestic emergency response work, including experiences with polio outbreaks and typhoons.

Healthcare Access During Disasters Discussed

Tom discussed the mission of his organization, Healthcare Ready, which aims to ensure good access to healthcare during disasters. He emphasized the importance of a needs-based approach, particularly for historically underserved communities. Tom also mentioned that the organization responds to non-traditional events, such as logistics strikes, which disproportionately affect certain communities. Sam and Jamie agreed with Tom’s points, highlighting the importance of empowering the healthcare workforce and connecting in times of need.

Improving Mental Health and Resilience

Jamie and Tom discussed the lessons learned from the pandemic and how they can be applied to improve mental health support and community resilience. Tom emphasized the need for increased funding in public health resilience and the importance of leveraging both communities and the private sector as a force multiplier. He also highlighted the need for a wider view of healthcare infrastructure, including not just hospitals but also urgent care centers. Tom mentioned that Healthcare Ready is training community health center workers to be more resilient during emergencies, with the goal of minimizing closure times and reducing financial strain on patients.

Improving Clinic and Pharmacy Resilience

Tom and Sam discussed strategies for improving clinic and pharmacy resilience, particularly in the face of disasters. Tom highlighted the challenges faced by smaller community pharmacies due to limited resources and the need to understand their networks for effective resiliency. He mentioned partnerships with organizations like the National Association of Chain Drugstores and the website RxOpen.org to help patients and healthcare providers navigate the status of pharmacies during disasters. Jamie raised concerns about public trust in health initiatives, questioning if healthcare is involved in efforts to rebuild this trust. Tom acknowledged the issue but did not provide a specific solution.

Community Leaders and Telehealth Impact

Tom emphasized the importance of community leaders in delivering messages and building trust, citing examples from international health spaces. He also highlighted the effectiveness of telehealth in reducing health disparities and improving access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas and during disasters. Jamie agreed with Tom’s points and suggested that Tom could be a guest on their show to discuss his work and partnerships further. Sam expressed appreciation for Tom’s insights and the potential for future discussions.

The National Science Foundation NHERI (Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure) organization had teams out in advance of the recent hurricanes to strike Florida. They set up for the Sentinel Program from the University of Florida to use sensor platforms to detect all the various forces from incoming storms. This was the first full deployment of the Sentinel system.

The teams were struck by the destruction to the communities when they returned to collect the Sentinel sensor platforms. While their storm sensors were in pretty good shape, the surrounding communities hadn’t fared as well, with some totally destroyed.

Dan also talked about the new planned Wind-Wave research facility with the NICHE Project (National Full-Scale Testing Infrastructure for Community Hardening in Extreme Wind, Surge, and Wave Events). This new multi-story laboratory will be able to do full scale materials and structural testing based upon wind and flood water events.

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

Joe’s FEMA Deployment Experiences

In the meeting, Sam and Jamie welcomed back Joe from his FEMA deployment and discussed his experiences during Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Joe shared that his team was deployed to North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida, where they conducted rescue operations and located remains for families. They also discussed the challenges and stress of the deployment. Sam expressed interest in conducting a longer podcast with Joe and Kimberly, who was also deployed. Dan was also present, and it was mentioned that he would be discussing some research information related to the article Sam received.

Sentinel Project Enhances Hurricane Data

Sam and Dan discussed the Sentinel project, a research initiative by the University of Florida to set up store monitoring equipment that collects data on wind, storm surge, waves, and water equality before, during, and after a hurricane. The Sentinel is a 33-foot tall device that reports data back to researchers in real time, providing valuable insights into environment, structural, and human survival. Dan highlighted the project’s collaboration with other teams, including the University of Washington, and the use of various technologies such as Lidar and drones. The Sentinel’s ability to withstand 16 feet of storm surge and provide accurate wind speed measurements, even over terrain, was emphasized as a significant improvement over traditional wind towers. The data collected by the Sentinel was used by Noah in an official update, demonstrating its immediate impact.

Hurricane Impact and Coastal Infrastructure

In the meeting, Sam, Dan, Joe, and Jamie discussed the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and the impact of storms on coastal communities. They highlighted the importance of data collection and analysis to improve infrastructure resilience and inform rebuilding efforts. Dan mentioned the role of new sensor platforms in gathering valuable data, and Jamie expressed interest in the relationship between field work and lab work. They also discussed the potential for learning from inland flooding events and the importance of understanding coastal erosion and sediment movement. The conversation ended with Dan sharing some data sets from Hurricane Helene, which included high water marks from North Carolina and Virginia.

NSF Invests in Extreme Weather Facility

Dan discussed the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) investment of 12.8 million dollars in a Mid-scale research infrastructure program, the first of its kind for a natural hazards laboratory. The program, called Niche, aims to design and test structures to withstand extreme wind and wave events. The facility will feature 20 fans capable of generating wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and a 500-meter-long wave flume that can generate waves up to 5 meters tall. Jamie and Sam expressed their excitement about the project, with Jamie noting that the facility will include a full-scale two-story home for testing storm surge and wind effects.

World’s Largest Wind and Wave Facility

The team discussed the development of a world’s largest wind and wave research facility, similar to Japan’s e-defense facility for earthquake engineering. Dan explained that the facility is currently in the design phase, with 11 universities and organizations involved. The team is also upgrading several facilities, including the Wall of Wind at Fiu and the Oregon State University wave flume, to test various parts of the niche design before spending more money on the actual build. The team agreed that full-scale testing with all three elements of the structure (wind, waves, and structure) is necessary due to the increasing intensity and number of storms. Dan also mentioned that the collected data is freely available for researchers to use in their investigations and to inform their tests in wind tunnels or wave labs.

Natural Hazards Research and Support

In the meeting, Sam, Dan, Joe, and Jamie discussed the ongoing research and collaborations in natural hazards, particularly in the context of recent storms. Dan highlighted the support from the US National Science Foundation and the importance of the network provided by Mary. Joe mentioned his upcoming training sessions in Florida and the opportunity for others to attend the Urban Search and Rescue Medical Specialist Operations Conference. Jamie encouraged listeners to subscribe to the Design Safe Radio podcast for updates on Neri’s work. The team also discussed Dan’s colleague, Marty Lashanz, who is the communications director at Neri. Dan shared that his wife, Tracy, is undergoing surgery for breast cancer treatment, and the team expressed their support and well wishes.

Today on the Disaster Podcast brings on a technology story built around the tragedy of school shootings in the U.S. The founders determined that it might be possible to detect the presence of active shooter before they began to fire their weapons. If advanced AI tech could identify the shooter before shots were fired, then lives could be saved, by early alerting of the target organization and police agencies.

ZeroEyes technology delivers a proactive, human-verified visual gun detection and situational awareness solution. It integrates into existing digital security cameras on a site to stop mass shootings and gun-related violence. Jonathan Norton, VP of Commercial Sales for ZeroEyes comes on the show to talk about their ground-breaking software and human verification service that completes the process to eliminate false positives causing needless lockdowns.

Also on the show is meteorologist and disaster technology expert Kyle Nelson, along with co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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

Jon Norton, VP of commercial sales at ZeroEyes, will be the guest on the disaster podcast to discuss his company’s technology. Sam and Kyle provide weather updates, including an early season snowstorm in the Central Rockies and dry conditions in the northern plains.

ZeroEyes: Origin and Security Insights

Jon shared his background, having served on active duty in the army for 6 and a half years and then working at ZeroEyes for almost 3 years. Sam expressed interest in Jon’s military background and its relevance to security issues. Jon then discussed the origin of ZeroEyes, which was born out of the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. The company’s founder, Mike Laif, was inspired to create ZeroEyes after his daughter came home from school distraught following a lockdown drill. Jon explained that their research showed that active shooter events often have a common pattern, with the shooter brandishing their firearm in full view of cameras before entering the building. This early indicator could potentially prevent future tragedies.

Addressing Security Limitations and Proactive Solutions

Jon discussed the limitations of current security measures in preventing shootings, particularly in the logistics industry where most incidents occur outside and involve employees. He highlighted the issue of employees being aware of security postures and working around them. ZeroEyes introduced a proactive solution using digital IP cameras to turn existing security cameras into sensors that can detect visible guns, providing early warning to law enforcement and first responders. Sam expressed her appreciation for this approach, emphasizing the importance of protecting first responders and the potential of this technology to prevent damage.

Addressing Security Challenges in Hospital Networks

Jon discussed the challenges faced by security directors at large hospital networks, such as Hackensack Meridian, in effectively responding to incidents due to the lack of real-time monitoring and the inability to implement active shooter lockdown procedures. He highlighted the advantage of using ZeroEyes, which extends the security perimeter out to the furthest camera view, providing early warning and proactive implementation of emergency response plans. Sam agreed, noting the extensive reach of the Hackensack Meridian’s camera network. Jon then explained the workflow of ZeroEyes, including the verification of alerts in their operations center and the dispatch of alerts to law enforcement. He emphasized their goal of saving lives and preventing suffering from gun-related violence. Sam expressed interest in the potential users for this system.

Integration of Technology With Alerting Systems

Kyle asked Jon about the integration of their technology with existing alerting systems on campuses, such as Alertus. Jon confirmed that they integrate with any open API platform, including virtual management systems and mass notification systems. He emphasized the importance of key leaders being alerted proactively upon the presence of a gun, allowing them to make effective decisions. Jamie asked about the process of integrating with existing processes when onboarding a new client, to which Jon explained that it starts with a compatibility audit and involves acquiring necessary data like camera location and IP address.

System Effectiveness and Integration in Facilities Security

Jon discussed the effectiveness of their system in protecting clients and ensuring their facilities are secure. He mentioned that they conduct practice drills for active shooter scenarios in various facilities, including schools, corporate, and government facilities. Jon also highlighted the importance of integrating their system with existing tools and procedures, and the need for training to ensure employees’ safety. Kyle asked about the system’s deployment in outdoor events and temporary facilities, to which Jon responded that they have contracts with the Department of Defense to develop the platform for various markets, including commercial and military. Jon also mentioned their involvement in protecting an F1 (Formula One) event and a fallen Service Members’ annual run.

Mobile Analytics Integration and Safety Act Recognition

Jon discussed the integration of their analytics platform onto mobile platforms, which would enhance their clients’ security and extend the detection window for events. Sam highlighted the company’s recognition as a promising anti-terrorism technology by the Department of Homeland Security, having achieved the full designation under the Safety Act. Jon emphasized the importance of this designation, as it validates the company’s claims and provides end users with confidence in the platform’s effectiveness in their environments.

Former San Ramon Valley Fire Chief Richard Price was having lunch one day when he saw one of his engines stopping in front of the restaurant. Someone in an adjacent business had suffered a cardiac arrest.

What really bothered him was that he, a trained responder was only yards away and he had an AED in his vehicle. Had he been alerted, he could have provided care much sooner than waiting for the responding professionals.

That moment was the genesis of what would become PulsePoint. This incident left the Chief wondering if technology could produce a way for CPR trained civilians to be notified of an arrest near them and advised of the location of an AED.

This program has grown astronomically since it’s inception. Technology has improved with next gen devices that can detect cardiac arrest, a large AED registry that supports the program and dispatch collaboration. If you ever wanted to be involved in saving a life, PulsePoint may provide the opportunity.

PulsePoint is a 501(c)(3) non-profit; unique due to history starting in a fire department with university partner. The two main initiatives of the foundation:

PulsePoint Respond

Emergency AED Registry

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

Contact PulsePoint at [email protected]

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.

Tim Conley and Dr. Kateryna Riabko from Med Global to talk about the training mission they worked on together in Ukraine. Med Global provides surgical and nursing training along with equipment training with things like ultrasound devices. They also work to train medical staff on chemical weapons that might be released during the war there.

The training in what is called “dry decon” or decontamination without water. Research has showed that everyday medial supplies can be used to wipe down patients who have been affected by chemical weapons or exposures. Towels, surgical or trauma dressings, gauze, chucks, or other common medical supplies can be used to remove contaminants

There have been confirmed examples of use of some banned chemicals and irritants by Russian troops in the eastern parts of Ukraine on the front lines there. There have also been reports of chemical leaks caused by air raids on specific civilian infrastructure in several cities.

Find out how to support Med Global in a variety of ways. You can visit Med Global’s Help page and find the method that best matches your skills and resources.

Also on the show were co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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.

Disaster Podcast host Sam Bradley reached out and connected with Dr. Joe Holley while deployed in the field. Joe has been hard at work with the FEMA IST (Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Support Team) while they supported teams in the field for Hurricane Helene. He and his wife Kimberly are currently in North Carolina finishing up the immediate search and rescue support for that region.

As the immediate life threat focus shifts to the next storm, Joe and his teams are replenishing resources and refreshing team members to redeploy to staging areas pending the landfall of Hurricane Milton. The new disaster threat will stretch team resources thinner as they prepare to respond following another major hurricane in just a few weeks. Joe ensures that the teams are ready and refreshed in a way that will enable them to carry out the new missions tasked for them.

Hurricane Milton has intensified to major hurricane status with predictions of category 4 or even 5 intensity on the scale that measures wind velocity at time of landfall. Add in the potential for catastrophic storm surge ahead of and during the storm’s impact, this weather event is one for residents of the affected areas to pay attention to. Stay tuned to the Disaster Podcast for more ongoing coverage and reports from the responders in the field.

National Hurricane Center Website

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.

On this episode of the Disaster Podcast, host Sam Bradley takes the helm to lead a discussion with our team about the impending impacts of Hurricane Milton on the central Florida Gulf Coast. Disaster Meteorologists Dan DePodwin and Kyle Nelson jump in with their expertise on the current track predictions. Disaster emergency management expert Becky DePowin shares her takes on preparedness messaging leading up to the storm as well.

Hurricane Milton is predicted to intensify to major hurricane status with predictions of category 4 or even 5 intensity on the scale that measures wind velocity. Add in the potential for catastrophic storm surge ahead of and during the storm’s impact, this weather event is one for residents of the affected areas to pay attention to. Below are some of the links mentioned during the show for listeners.

National Hurricane Center Website

Pinellas County, Florida Emergency Management Website

Disaster Podcast team member Dr. Joe Holley and his wife Kimberly are currently deployed with federal USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and IST (Incident Support Team) resources in the response to Hurricane Helene’s impacts on the Appalachian Mountain areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. We hope to have an update from the field in a future episode of the show so stay tuned to your podcast apps for those podcasts.

Co-host Jamie Davis is on a break in Germany, currently dodging impacts from post-Tropical Storm Kirk as it strikes areas of Central Europe.

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.

This week we look at the needs of first responders who have fallen on hard times. The Primum Non Nocere Foundation (pnnf.net) provides short term resources to help out our brothers and sisters who need a bit of help in a time of need. Founder Louis Cazzetta comes on the show with co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis to discuss the important work he’s doing.

PNNF has been formed with the purpose of assisting pre-hospital care workers and providers with much needed support during times of despair, desperation and need. EMS workers and their professional counterparts have been overlooked in our country for far too long. Their civil services are a vital part of this nations infrastructure. We at PNNF and our network of generous donors want to give back in any way possible to these public servants. Our cumulative support continues to change the lives of all of the men, women and children in need.

Also on the show were co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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.

The Disaster Podcast team assembled to look at the impacts of Hurricane Helene on the Florida gulf coast at the big bend region. It will also have significant impacts on inland areas in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and even southern Indiana and Illinois.

The Hurricane made landfall as a category 4 storm with sustained winds around 140 miles per hour. Storm surge in coastal regions expected in excess of 10 feet, with some areas having surge from the Gulf of Mexico up to 20 feet. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings extend to the northern South Carolina coast and inland up to Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Joe Holley and his wife Kimberly have been deployed with federal USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and IST (Incident Support Team) resources. Joe shares their expectations for what they expect to see once the storm has passed and they can move in to begin their rescue work along side local and State rescuers.

Our disaster emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin and host Sam Bradley were also on the call to lend their expertise to the discussion.

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.

Disaster Meteorologist Dan DePodwin joins our podcast this week to review the impacts of Hurricane Francine. This storm struck the Louisiana coast and moved inland over Mississippi, Tennessee and surrounding areas. Dan and the co-hosts also discuss the impacts of wildfires in the west. California, Oregon, and Washington states bear the brunt of the recent spate of serious wildfires. Dan shares how these large areas of fire create their own weather patterns.

Also on the show were co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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.