Disaster Tough Podcast

It’s been said the best education and experience happens at the grassroots level with experts working in the field.

Former FEMA Administrator and Secretary of Homeland Security, Pete Gaynor knows this well as he recently returned from working as a volunteer in the field at disasters overseas and domestically.

This Fall, Pete has spent time in Indonesia responding to the earthquake that hit West Sumatra. While there, Pete was also able to observe and help in the response to the tragic stampede at a soccer stadium in Kanjuruhan that killed 130 people on October 1st.

Pete also spent time in Florida this Fall responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.
In this episode, Pete recounts some of the lessons learned from being in the midst of those response efforts. He also compares and contrasts the way different cultures respond to disasters, highlighting best practices both in the US and Indonesia.

He also talks about the various hazards that come with living in a variety of different locations around the country and world, and how situational awareness and proper building codes are among some of the most important things that aid in ensuring proper readiness.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Walt Disney once said, “Curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

While Emergency Management may be classified as a very specific career choice, there are many paths that one can take once they get into it.

That is the idea explored in this week’s episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast with Shawn Steadman of Saint Louis University.

Shawn has been the Director of Emergency Management at SLU for more than a decade, developing academic programs that prepare the next generation of Emergency Managers for their careers in the field.

In this episode, Shawn talks about the many different paths that Emergency Managers can take and how many fall into the career while initially planning on studying something else.

He talks about the importance of continued education within the field and how being open and willing to take on new challenges and explore new paths is what makes Emergency Managers better, and also makes the career path more exciting every day.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

During times of emergency, communication of correct information is important, and Public Information Officers like Prescott Nadeau play a key role in making sure this is accomplished.

Prescott has been the PIO for the Williston Fire Department in Vermont for the past decade.

In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Prescott talks about how important it is for emergency response agencies to build strong relationships of trust with the media. He emphasizes how doing so can lead to better information being more effectively spread to the general public both through traditional media and social media.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

The phrase, “Going down the rabbit hole,” is often used as a way to describe someone wasting time or getting distracted.

However, the field of Emergency Management grows and evolves, going “down the rabbit hole” of discussing and sharing information and best practices is vital for continued growth and success.

Such is the endeavor of this week’s episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast featuring Emergency Manager, James Podlucky.

As an Industry Solutions Manager for Everbridge, James Podlucky brings a decade of experience to the field of Emergency Management. Before joining Everbridge, James spent time working for local governments in a variety of Emergency Management-related roles.

From surviving Hurricane Ian, to comparing where the field of Emergency Management was to where it is now and where it’s going, and so much more, James and host John Scardena cover a wide range of topics in this week’s conversation.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Tell Us How To Make It Better

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rMpmpkewMHZtvYgUMJh0J?si=f98ef1ead4f245ad

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tell-us-how-to-make-it-better/id1585824054

“Whatever your craft is, be a master of it," said multi-platinum recording artist, Kid Rock.

Nat Sellers AKA “The Preparedness Guy”, has put in the time and energy to master his craft of Emergency Management, and is now sharing that knowledge with the world on his new podcast, Preparedness Works, found only in The Readiness Lab.

In an entertaining conversation on this week’s Disaster Tough Podcast, Nat and John cover a wide range of topics including the importance of preparing for your needs instead of against whatever disaster or emergency may come along.

Check out Preparedness Works at:

https://www.thereadinesslab.com/preparedness-works

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Winston Churchill once said, “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”

At Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Marc Barbiere works hard every day to make sure that his department is ready and prepared if and when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder to respond to an emergency situation.

In this episode, Marc talks with Disaster Tough host and fellow Hoya, John Scardena about what Emergency Management looks like at a major university like Georgetown in a large city such as Washington D.C.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Sawyer Products offers the best, most technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water & injuries–everything from water filtration systems to insect repellents. So, if you’re at work, at home, or at play- make sure you check out Sawyer at sawyer.com

The Danish Theologian, Søren Kierkegaard once said, “Life is lived (looking) forwards, but understood (looking) backwards.”

In this week’s episode, Emergency and Crisis Management expert, Kyle King takes a look back at the various disasters that have happened in 2022, both domestically and abroad.

From the war in Ukraine, to the recent damage done by Hurricane Ian, Kyle gives his take on what citizens and Emergency Management experts can learn from the events of this year, and what the focus of both sides should be heading into 2023.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Sawyer Products offers the best, most technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water & injuries–everything from water filtration systems to insect repellents. So, if you’re at work, at home, or at play- make sure you check out Sawyer at sawyer.com

Opposite ends of the county, opposite ends of the spectrum- Hurricanes and Wildfire Seasons are in full swing. Hurricane Ian blasted through Florida this past week, causing thousands of people to be impacted. The Mosquito Fire Response is cooling down as responders gear up for a continually active wildfire threat. So how are these responses similar and how are they different?

Patrick McGinn, Director of Emergency Services for The Salvation Army knows all too well the destruction that these disaster cause. As a frequent responder to these events, he knows what it takes to respond. He recognizes the unique challenges and needs of both and has found success through applying tactics apply to either event type.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Sawyer Products offers the best, most technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water & injuries–everything from water filtration systems to insect repellents. So, if you’re at work, at home, or at play- make sure you check out Sawyer at sawyer.com

It's been said, "If some is good, more is better."

That statement has never been more true than right now in The Readiness Lab as their lineup of entertaining and informative content continues with the reboot of the EM Weekly Podcast.

This week, EM Weekly's new host, Zack Borst returns to the Disaster Tough Podcast for a discussion about the updated format. In this episode, Zack and Disaster Tough host, John Scardena also look back at the happenings of the month of September as it pertains to the world of Emergency Management.

From Hurricane Ian in the Gulf of Mexico, to wildfires in California, September is usually a busy month for Emergency Managers around the country.

Zack and John discuss what can be done to be ready for those situations, and how to make sure that citizens are informed and prepared as well.

Also, stay tuned to the end for information about a special product giveaway thanks to our sponsor, Sawyer Products.

Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: [email protected].

We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.

Sawyer Products offers the best, most technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water & injuries–everything from water filtration systems to insect repellents. So, if you’re at work, at home, or at play- make sure you check out Sawyer at sawyer.com