The Los Angeles fires will likely be the costliest natural disaster in our history. While they started as wildfire, they changed into an urban conflagration. Thousands of homes were destroyed along with other building structures, including businesses. In this podcast we’ll look at these impacts fires their destruction from the perspective of a private business that specializes in disaster recovery efforts.  

The podcast guest is Joel Wish, CEO of Bright Harbor, a leading disaster recovery company that has been on the front lines of wildfire recovery efforts across the country. In the wake of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, Joel and his team have been helping survivors navigate the complex and often frustrating process of securing federal aid, insurance payouts, and emergency housing—guiding them through bureaucratic roadblocks that can delay relief for months.  

A seasoned entrepreneur, Joel has spent his career tackling large-scale challenges in ways that put people first. Before founding Bright Harbor, he co-led Frontline Foods, an all-volunteer nonprofit that provided over a million meals to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting struggling restaurants. He also helped build Simple Health, a telemedicine company expanding access to reproductive healthcare. His expertise in crisis response, logistics, and public health now helps disaster survivors access the resources they need when they need them  


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In this podcast we will be learning about disaster community in Europe and more specifically in Switzerland. That will be in the first half of the podcast. In the second half, we will be talking about a more focused conversation about data and its role in integrated disaster risk management. During the podcast we review Emergency Meeting Points (EMP) in Switzerland. The link provided will give you more information.  

The podcast guest is Jurgena Kamberaj a Senior Researcher in the Risk and Resilience Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich, where she focuses on disaster preparedness and how hazards affect individuals, communities, and ecosystems. Her work aims to strengthen resilience in the face of increasingly complex emergencies.  

Prior to joining CSS in 2023, Jurgena worked at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, specifically within the European Crisis Management Laboratory. In this role, she was responsible for real-time monitoring and impact assessments of major disasters worldwide, contributing to the development of the EU’s global disaster response strategies.  

Jurgena holds an MSc in Environmental Science from Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel in Germany, specializing in ecosystem services and environmental protection. With experience spanning both scientific research and operational crisis management, she bridges the gap between data-driven analysis and practical disaster risk reduction strategies.

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In this podcast we look at a new technology being developed and fielded to help people and organizations, public and private better understand climate risks of all types. From wildfires to floods, climate fueled natural disasters are becoming more and more prevalent.  

The podcast guest is Sarah Russell, Managing Director of Bellwether who speaks to the ways that advanced machine learning can help improve disaster response as these events continue to   Bellwether has worked with the Defense Innovation Unit and the National Guard to help these first responder teams more accurately locate survivors and track damage to essential infrastructure.  

Bellwether is a fully commercialized business, with clients in the insurance and disaster response sectors. Their software identified an area of Ventura County, CA as high fire risk in 2024, and that area overlapped nearly perfectly with the Mountain Fire in November, 2024.

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In this podcast we will examine different forms of governance for cities, evaluating the pros and cons of each. We’ll also delve into how civic leaders think about the first responder community, emergency management in general and technology. We will be hearing from someone with vast experience in government having held a wide variety of positions.  

Harry Black the podcast guest is a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. He has served as city manager, Chief administrative officer, chief financial officer, program manager, and chief procurement officer, consistently driving organizational transformation through best practices and outcome-based strategies.  

A pioneer in performance management, Black has developed and implemented data-driven programs that enhance transparency, accountability, and service delivery. His integrated approach incorporates data analytics, lean techniques, smart technologies, and citistat programs to optimize government performance.  

In public financial management, Black has led major municipal finance efforts, overseeing more than $5 billion in bond transactions, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and short-term banknotes. 

An accomplished author and speaker, Black has published works on economic development, pension and healthcare reform, and performance management. He has delivered presentations on police-community relations, infrastructure development, public procurement, and long-term financial planning.  

Black holds a BS in Public Administration from Virginia State University, an MA in Public Administration from the University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia State University.

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There are all sorts of projects, large and small. I’ve advocated that all work is usually done in the form of a project. Really large projects require a huge investment in time and other resources to be successful. No one plans on failing, but there have been some very public failures in the past. In this podcast we’ll examine some general themes for those failures and also solutions you can put to use for your own projects to hopefully ensure success.  

Dr. Brian Williamson is a management consultant and Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Management Studies at the University of Oxford. A global authority in business transformation, employee experience, and purpose-driven project management, he has authored multiple books and is sought after by organizations aiming to unlock hidden potential and align strategic investments with purpose. With a passion for maximizing human potential, Dr. Williamson mentors senior executives, assisting them in creating enhanced human experiences within their organizations, encouraging leaders to challenge conventional thinking, fostering an environment that harmonizes the diverse interests of all stakeholders. Dr. Williamson holds dual master’s degrees from NYU Tandon School of Engineering (formerly Polytechnic University) in Management of Technology and Information Systems Engineering. He also earned a doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University and Executive Director at project management firm, PMO Advisory.

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Disaster volunteers come in many shapes and sizes. They can be individual citizens but typically are aligned with an organization that is offering aid to their fellow citizens. However, sometimes emergency managers have found that these well-intentioned volunteers seem to cause more headaches than they solve. Donated goods, for example can cause a mountain of work with many of the donations eventually going into a landfill.

In this Disaster Zone Podcast David Wells, the Director of Disaster Relief for Disaster Relief for Texans on a Mission will dialog with the host about how best to be ready to volunteer and work with other government agencies. David began his response journey as a Baptist pastor in Wyoming, leading his congregation to provide aid to travelers trapped by routine interstate closings due to snow. He later became state director for Disaster Relief for the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention. As a pastor in Missouri, he led shower, chainsaw, laundry, and feeding response team among Missouri Baptists, eventually becoming associate director for Disaster Relief for the Missouri Baptist Convention. David joined Texans on Mission in 2019.

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Technology is a driving force in public safety today. There are multiple challenges that come with considering which technologies should be adopted and fielded within an organization. Before that can happen, we need to collectively overcome self-imposed barriers to technology adoption, which is the subject of this Disaster Zone Podcast.  

The podcast guest is Garry Briese who has had a distinguished career in the fire service. Only recently retiring in January 2025 as the Executive Director of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs. Previously Garry served for 23 years as the Executive Director/CEO of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in Washington DC and prior was the Executive Director/CEO of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians for 14 years.   

Additionally, he was appointed as the Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 8 of the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush. Prior to DHS/FEMA, he was Vice President, Emergency Management & Homeland Security for ICF International, a $1.5 billion NASDAQ-listed professional services corporation.  

Today he serves as one of four independent directors on the corporate Board of Directors of WS Darley Company, a 116-year-old family-owned business founded in 1908.  In 2024, Darley had more than $1 Billion in sales as an international pump & fire apparatus manufacturer & distributor for the military, fire and emergency services.   

Garry has presented at conferences in Japan, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom and across the United States. He is a well-known speaker on leadership and followership and on future challenges for both the private and government sectors. He has broad experience in non-profit organizations and for-profit companies in local, state, national, federal, and international domains His visionary and forward-thinking leadership and accomplishments have been recognized by multiple international and national organizations.


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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been predominantly in the news for many months. Most recently as both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished. More recently a 20-person council has been established to examine how best the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished. This then is the topic for this podcast.

Craig Fugate the podcast guest served as President Barack Obama’s FEMA Administrator from May 2009 to January 2017. Previously, he served as Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s Emergency Management Director from 2001-2007 and Governor Charlie Crist from 2007-09.

Fugate led FEMA through multiple record-breaking disaster years and oversaw the Federal Government’s response to major events such as the Joplin and Moore Tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and the 2016 Louisiana flooding.

FEMA’s effectiveness in dealing with more than 500 Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies under Fugate’s leadership restored the faith of the American people in the Federal Government’s ability to respond to disasters.

Prior to his tenure at FEMA, Fugate was widely praised for his management, under Governor Jeb Bush, of the devastating effects of the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma). Craig provides senior level advice and consultation in disaster management and resiliency policy through Craig Fugate Consulting LLC.



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Personally, I have had to inform employees that their jobs were being eliminated. Sometimes because of a budget cut, sometimes due to their performance. How we handle these events is important to the people directly impacted and also to those who remain behind. This podcast will be addressing both topics and how to better structure a layoff scenario—and do it with empathy.  

Jim Cichanski, the founder, and Chief Human Resources Officer of Flex HR, has 30+ years experience in human resources, holding senior level positions in companies that were privately held, pre-IPO, foreign owned, joint venture, Fortune 50 and one labeled the “fastest growing F1000 in America.” He has a solid background in high tech, manufacturing, services and management.  

His background in human resources includes organizational process evaluation and improvement, labor laws, integration of businesses, cost reduction, organizational development, and all functional areas of human resources. These include but are not limited to Benefits, Compensation, Staffing, Diversity, ERISA, DOL Compliance, Immigration, Learning & Development, Stock Administration, Executive Compensation, Employee Relations, and over 300 Mergers & Acquisitions. Jim’s experience includes operational HR management knowledge globally in 32 countries and has transitioned companies from 30 to 67,000 employees worldwide. Companies he has worked for include Unisys, Novell, Premiere Technologies and PaySys International. Jim is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.  

Jim also spent 26 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel.

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We continue to see disasters increase in size, frequency and impact. What are we doing wrong when it comes to disaster resilience, especially as it impacts our ability to adapt to the climate impacts that are experiencing and take a longer view to disaster resilience.  

The podcast guest is Jeff Schlegelmilch an Associate Professor for Professional Practice in Climate. He is also the Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Columbia Climate School, as well as the Director of Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs for the Columbia Climate School. His areas of expertise include public health preparedness, community resilience, and the integration of private and public sector capabilities. In addition to his work at Columbia, he also served as an advisor to private sector organizations on topics related to grid resilience planning and advised leaders on preparedness systems and policy at all levels of government. He is an opinion contributor with The Hill and is frequently called upon as an expert for numerous media outlets. He is also the author of Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century Megadisasters and co-author of Catastrophic Incentives: Why Our Approaches To Disasters Keep Falling Short

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