Disaster Politics Podcast

Episode 27 – Disaster Communications Systems

In this episode, we speak Tony Bardo, Assistant Vice President for Government Solutions at Hughes Network Systems. We talk about the role of communications systems in disasters, and the intersection with government, industry, responders and survivors.

Website:

Hughes Network Systems - https://www.hughes.com/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

Episode 26 – Redefining Emergency Management

In this episode, we speak with EmilyJane Zahreddine from Golden Hour Consulting and the Emergency Management Growth Initiative (EMGI). We discuss why old definitions may not fully capture what emergency managers do today, her work with the EMGI innovation hub, and what the future holds for the field.

Websites discussed:

Golden Hour Consulting - https://www.goldenhourconsultingllc.com/

Emergency Management Growth Initiative - https://www.emginitiative.org/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Irwin Redlener (@IrwinRedlenerMD) founder of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute (@columbia_ncdp) and co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund (@chfund) about the influx of unaccompanied minors into the US along the southern border. We discuss some of the complexities of the situation, how it has challenged administrations for decades, and what the future may hold.

Websites:

Irwin Redlener - https://irwinredlener.org/

National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute - https://ncdp.columbia.edu/

Children’s Health Fund - https://www.childrenshealthfund.org/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

Episode 24 – National Flood Insurance

In this episode, we speak with Cynthia DiVincenti (@CynthiaDiVince1), head of government relations at National Flood Services (@NationalFlood). In this episode we talk about the public private partnerships that facilitates flood insurance in the United States, the current state of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and what the future may hold with the potential for reform on the horizon.

National Flood Services: https://nationalfloodservices.com/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

Episode 23 – Modelling COVID-19 in Africa

In this episode, we speak with Lawrence Were and Tom Achoki from the COVID-19 in Africa Data Science Initiative. We talk about their work modelling COVID-19 in Africa with a multidisciplinary team of Pan-African bio-statisticians, data scientists, economists, epidemiologists, and health systems researchers, and discuss what the data means for response, and long term resilience building across the continent and the globe.

COVID-19 in Africa Data Science Initiative: https://sites.bu.edu/covid-19-in-africa/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this episode, we speak with Shay Bahramirad (@Sh_Bahramirad), who is leading ComEd’s work to build the electrical grid of the future. In this episode we discuss the role of utilities in building resilience more generally, as well as how that is playing out in the current COVID-19 response. We also discuss the ongoing partnership with ComEd and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute (@columbia_ncdp).

The article on the partnership between ComEd and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute: https://hazards.colorado.edu/news/research-counts/lives-on-the-line-the-big-benefits-of-microgrids-in-disaster

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

The article on the partnership between ComEd and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute: https://hazards.colorado.edu/news/research-counts/lives-on-the-line-the-big-benefits-of-microgrids-in-disaster

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this cross-over episode, Andy Revkin (@Revkin), director of the Initiative on Communications and Sustainability at Columbia University’s (@Columbia) Earth Institute (@EarthInstitute) sits down with national security experts Geoff Dabelko (@geoffdabelko), Alice Hill (@Alice_C_Hill), and Rod Schoonover (@RodSchoonover) to talk about where we are at with COVID-19, and what are the National Security Implications of this unparalleled moment.

Sustain What is a series of web chats with Andy Revkin with experts to talk about different aspects of sustainability and the challenges we face. This recording was done on Sunday 3/15/2020.

See the video for this and other Sustain What conversations here: https://www.pscp.tv/search?q=revkin

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this episode we talk with Suzanne Bernier (@sbcrisis) about her book Disaster Heroes (@DisasterHeroes), as well as her new podcast and why extraordinary acts by everyday people is so important to celebrate and harness in our disaster systems.

Suzanne Bernier’s Website: https://www.suzannebernier.com/

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this episode, Daniel Aldrich (@DanielPAldrich) returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, Black Wave: How Networks and Governance Shaped Japan’s 3/11 Disasters. We go deeper on social ties and how they impact disaster response and recovery, and why it matters beyond the disasters in Japan.

Other publications referenced in the discussion include:

NPR reporting on Inequalities After Disasters (w/links to the source research articles in the piece): https://www.npr.org/2019/03/05/688786177/how-federal-disaster-money-favors-the-rich

RAND Study on Preparedness Kits: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/citizen-preparedness-for-disasters-are-current-assumptions-valid/C3BB34848AAA4CE0A24A5B4352A28DC9

Additional article on lack of evidence for preparedness kits: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303148

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).

In this episode we talk with @DavidMazzuca about post disaster housing policy. He speaks about the post Hurricane Sandy housing recovery in New Jersey, and also shares lessons from across the country. We also discuss what states can do to be more prepared for the recovery process, and how changing the way we look at national funding may be necessary in the face of increasing disasters.

Publications referenced in the discussion include:

Sandy Child and Family Health Studies: https://ncdp.columbia.edu/microsite-page/sandy-child-and-family-health-study/scafh-publications-reports/

Brock Long Op-ed in The Hill on Post Disaster Spending: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/446635-why-will-fema-spend-as-much-in-past-2-years-as-the-previous-37

Heritage Foundation Piece on Disaster Spending: https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/congress-must-stop-the-abuse-disaster-and-emergency-spending

Theme Music is Chicky & Chacky by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Chicky_Chacky_KMT_01). Transition music is Hippie Bulle Mushroom Funghi (KM+ T 04) by KieLoBot (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoBot/Chicky__Chacky/Hippie_Bulle_Mushroom_Funghi_KM_T_04).