Disaster Tough Podcast

What is the best use of a firetruck? Dr. Frazier answers this question with host John Scardena, as they dive into disaster analytics and how the Great Pandemic of 2020 will shape emergency management for decades to come. We talk about climates, populations, and the need for the collaborative environment within emergency services.

Dr. Tim Frazier’s GU bio includes the following:

“Much of Dr. Frazier’s research focuses on developing science that serves to impact decision-making in local communities through stakeholder engagement. He is considered a coastal hazards expert and is a leading researcher on the impacts of sea level rise on the physical and socioeconomic vulnerability and resilience of coastal communities. Dr. Frazier is also considered an expert on resilience, and risk assessment, and a leading researcher use of GIS technology and spatial analysis for hazard mitigation planning and climate change adaptation. The primary focus of Dr. Frazier’s research is to help communities increase their resilience to natural hazards and climate change through the development of science and policies that are socially and environmentally just. “
-See more at on the Georgetown EDM page.

Kevin Coleman is an experienced Federal Response Official with years of experience and countless deployments to large-scale disasters. During the COVID-19 Federal Response, he worked on a joint agency taskforce to recommend and build federal capabilities around the county. This task force was responsible for testing over a million people by the beginning of the summer alone.

As the program Liaison for FEMA Corps, he combines his own experience with the program as a former team leader with his response experience from the IMAT to help FEMA Corps members gain experience in emergency management through training and working with field experts.

Kevin Coleman and the host John Scardena worked on the same response team. FEMA is not a paid sponsor of this podcast.

Using, "In the moment after actions," this episode addresses the numerous hazards and potential threats that we are currently facing. From President Trump testing positive for COVID-19, to massive wildfires burning across California, Oregon, and Washington, to hurricane recovery, to potential civil unrest, to schools reopening... we look at each sector and suggest course corrections. We also talk about Halloween and how to prepare to celebrate the Holiday in an appropriate way. Big Hint- It's time to take it's place as the rightful holiday candy hunt.

U.S. Air Force member, Jason Clapp lead a successful career in meteorology, as he began helping response operations, he found emergency management and now works in Yakima County as an emergency planner. His unique experience allows him to address natural disasters through the lens of weather science. He uses his data background to look for gaps that others are unable to see.

We talk about the Washington wildfires, the Oregon Wildfires, the California Wildfires, and Hurricanes. Jason provides advice about emergency mitigation and training for these events and settles the argument about about the differences between Global Warming and Climate Change.

This podcast was recorded remotely.

This episode is like 5,000 candles blowing in the wind, of an earthquake. Amanda Siok is the, “Leslie Knope of Earthquakes” due to her passion and work on earthquake policy. She has spent her entire career in the Northwest, focusing on mitigating the some of the most catastrophic natural events on Earth. This earth shattering interview covers several key elements of earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic mitigation efforts and a large portion is focused on lessons learned from previous disasters such as the 2011 Japanese Earthquake Tsunami, and Fukushima Disaster, the 1964 Earthquake Tsunami in Alaska, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and even the 79 A.D. Pompeii Volcanic Eruption.

Through this lesson’s learned format, we learn what the Federal Emergency Management Agency is doing to help communities around the United States. We learn about community outreach, policy, environmental considerations and critical infrastructure’s role within the wild environment. We also talk about Bison vs Buffalo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Waffles, and efforts individuals and families and take now to be better prepared for earthquake safety, tsunami response, and volcanic evacuations. This is the perfect episode for National Preparedness Month. Don’t forget about The Great Shakeout on October 15th at 10:15 am local time. Get it? On 10-15 at 10:15? Do it! It will be great practice for an actual event.

Mike talks about his experience with 9/11. He was serving in the U.S. Army in Eastern Europe when it happened. He talked about that fateful day from his perspective and the lessons learned as he has responded to countless emergencies as part of the U.S military, as a firefighter and as a paramedic. He now leads emergency management operations for an organization in California and talks about the lessons learned he has gained throughout a very distinguished career. His responses include Hurricane Katrina, Wildfires, and of course, War.

By talking about disaster events from hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes to apply information to any disaster. We provide tips and reminders about preparing your home by reviewing emergency plans and equipment, we talked about the Doberman Family Emergency Plan that you can download from our website dobermanemg.com we talked about the rule of thumb with fires, safely evacuating, COOP plans, early warning systems and the difference between a watch and a warning, we talked about apps and we have SO much more to talk about. We will be addressing Earthquakes on next week’s episode with Amanada Siok from FEMA Region 10, and on our business Instagram and Facebook pages for DobermanEMG we will share thoughts on all these areas plus active shooters, terrorism, hazmat issues, and other manmade threats. This is all part of our effort to help you become disaster tough and raise awareness during THE US National Preparedness Month. Make sure you follow those accounts and the Disaster Tough Podcast Instagram account for those tips, guides, and product discount announcements.

Having both deployed to Hurricane Harvey and leading the geospatial efforts for this record breaking event, John Scardena and James Dewer talk about their experiences responding to catastrophic disasters. Utilizing the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey to set the stage, we talk about Hurricane Laura, Super Storm Sandy, innovation in emergency management, and lessons learned for other emergency managers.

The future in emergency management is all about data. Interim Director Jayson Kratoville dives into numerous projects with ample examples of how emergency management and response will rely more and more on data to assist in the Disaster Life-Cycle. We talk about applying the data, the tools to access it and the differences between the emergency manager, general public, and politicians will react to disaster. We talk about drones, the COVID-19 pandemic and masks, weather quantum computing and more on this episode. If you want to become the emergency manager of the future, Jayson walks you through how to do that.

From tactical level responses as a paramedic, to Deputy Director of Emergency Management for Forsyth County, GA. Ashley Lauria-Golden dives into her experiences applying tactical, operational, and strategic levels of emergency management throughout her highly successful career.

Of the several experiences we discuss, Ashley and our host both attended the elite Georgetown Master's program in Emergency and Disaster Management and talk about the application of the experiences we gained through field intensives.

Learn what an Italian loves more, pasta or pizza and how a Purple Scion can influence this emergency manager on our episode.

Ashley’s comments and opinions are her own and do not represent an official statement for Forsyth County, GA.