The profession of emergency management has been in flux since its inception.
Currently the Trump Administration is looking how to organize the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to fit with the President’s political and policy agendas.
Everything is perhaps up for grabs. In this podcast we look at one proposal to have the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take over all aspects of what we might call
“civil defense” to have those functions taken out of FEMA and aligned more directly
within other elements of DHS.

Michael Prasad is the executive director of the Center for Emergency Management
Intelligence Research (www.cemir.org). CEMIR (www.cemir.org) has its own Substack,
which can be subscribe to at https://thecemir.substack.com/ He leads research
projects and writes professionally on emergency management policies and
procedures, from a pracademic perspective. Prasad holds a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree in management information systems from Ohio University, and a
Master of Arts degree in emergency and disaster management from American Public
University.

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The first challenge that faces emergency managers, all types of government jurisdictions and the private sector is figuring out where disasters have caused damages and what the extent of those damages are. This podcast investigates technologies that are in place today to provide precise information on damages. I also like that fact that this technology has many commercial applications that can be used before a disaster. You need those to help have a capability for times when disasters do strike. All insurance companies need this type of tech assistance in post disaster scenarios.

The podcast guest is Piers Dormeyer, Eagleview CEO, who has a passion for technology and the power to transform industries and deliver value. He has founded successful businesses, led high-performing teams, and implemented scalable processes with a mission to transform how people work while forging powerful partnerships and consistently driving exceptional business outcomes.

Piers has discovered the key to driving growth, alignment, and organizational health, and it goes beyond mastering conference calls. He believes in connecting purpose to performance and valuing the people who play a significant role in our lives.

Piers brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, complemented by his academic achievements. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering at the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
from the renowned MIT Sloan School of Management.

He resides in Florida with his family who is a constant source of inspiration, reminding him of the importance of balance, compassion, and personal fulfillment in his personal and professional life.

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Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ 

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While emergency managers do many a presentation on how individuals and families can become better prepared for a disaster—our message should go beyond “having all your important documents in one place. In this podcast we learn of a system that can help people do that in advance of a disaster.

The podcast guest is Maria Fraietta the founder and visionary behind The Nokbox, a pioneering estate planning tool and home organization system designed to support an individual’s Next of Kin. The idea for Nokbox was born out of personal tragedy and necessity, following the unexpected death of her father in 2021. While navigating the complex and emotional process of settling his estate, Maria experienced firsthand the confusion, stress, and logistical challenges families face in the absence of a clear plan.

From that experience came a spark—one that led her to create the very first Nokbox in her garage in Littleton, Colorado. Prior to founding The Nokbox, Maria spent nearly 25 years as a beloved public-school teacher in the Denver metro area. Her career in education shaped her commitment to clarity, communication, and helping others succeed—principles that continue to guide her work today. She also worked as a licensed real estate agent with HomeSmart International starting in 2004, further deepening her understanding of life transitions, legal documentation, and the importance of preparedness.

Now running The Nokbox full-time, Maria oversees daily operations, product development, and long-term strategy.

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L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com 

Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/

Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulse

Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com

Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ 

For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at [email protected]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been in the news for months. Both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished, perhaps moved out of DHS and physically out of Washington, D.C. A council has been established to examine how the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished moving forward. The current status and future of FEMA is the topic of this podcast.

The podcast guest is Michael A. Coen Jr. who has been a right hand advisor to three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) directors and administrators, to include: James Lee Witt, W. Craig Fugate and Deanne Criswell. He recently served as Chief of Staff to Deanne Criswell during the Biden administration. Most recently is has been an outspoken advocate for FEMA’s mission of creating a disaster resilient United States.

He is an outcome-oriented executive with proven management and leadership experience. A track record of accomplishment in managing during times of crisis, implementing strategic vision, leading organizational change, building coalitions, fostering collaboration and communicating during crisis. Michael effectively and
comfortably operates in high-profile politically charged environments.

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Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com

Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/

One of the few constants in our everyday life is the weather. It is likely something we check on frequently, even on sunny days. Today we will be talking with a veteran weather forecaster who has specific advice for those who deal with severe weather and its impacts on people and property. Communicating weather warnings will be a specific topic, along with the partnership between private forecast operations and the National Weather Service (NWS).

Chris Warren is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and communicator who spent more than 15 years as a trusted on-camera presence at The Weather Channel. During his time there, he delivered live studio and field coverage of major weather events — including hurricanes, blizzards, wildfires, and landslides — helping communities better understand and respond to severe weather. Chris holds the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval and brings deep expertise in crisis communication, strategic storytelling, and delivering complex information to national audiences.

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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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