Preparedness isn’t about disasters — it’s about the systems you rely on every day.

When people think about preparedness, they often focus on hazards: storms, outages, emergencies. But real-world outcomes aren’t determined by the event itself — they’re shaped by how that event disrupts essential systems and how those disruptions interact with household vulnerabilities.

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we break down what risk actually means and why the same emergency can affect households very differently. Using a simple, practical framework — Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability × Impact — we explore how power, communications, healthcare, income, and other essential community systems quietly support daily life, and how disruptions to those systems drive real consequences.

This episode is designed as a mini masterclass to help you:

• Understand why disasters don’t impact everyone the same way
• See preparedness beyond gear, supplies, or checklists
• Recognize how essential systems shape risk
• Identify household vulnerabilities without fear or panic
• Make better decisions before stress takes over

We also walk through three simple questions you can ask tonight to better understand your household risk — no shopping, no downloads, just awareness.

Preparedness starts with understanding how your life actually works. That’s where real resilience begins.

📱 FOLLOW & CONNECT

📧 Questions, stories, or topic ideas?
Email us at [email protected]

📲 Follow us on social media:
@instinctready @sawyerproducts @emdisastergaming @stopthebleedcoalition @preppingwithpappy @higher_ground_survival @gobagwesley @thebestgobag @gobagready72

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

🛡️ Instinct Ready DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

00:00 Sponsor Message: STOP THE BLEED Coalition
01:00 Preparedness Isn’t About Disasters
01:48 Why Systems Matter More Than Emergencies
03:00 What Risk Actually Means (Hazard × Vulnerability × Impact)
04:05 Essential Community Systems Explained
05:20 Why the Same Emergency Affects Households Differently
06:35 Vulnerability Is Context, Not Weakness
07:40 Three Questions to Understand Your Household Risk
09:25 Preparedness Starts With Understanding

2025 flew by — and in this Season 3 Year-in-Review episode, Jason Perez and Pappy (Jason Martin) look back at what made this year memorable: major disasters and real-time event breakdowns, standout guests and episodes, and the key preparedness lessons that kept showing up again and again. We also shift into winter weather preparedness with practical reminders for travel, vehicle readiness, power outages, cold exposure, pets, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. And before we close, we tease what’s coming next — including a major update to our Community Emergency Planning (CEP) course and what that means for bringing training into communities.

Drop a comment: What was your favorite episode of 2025 — and what do you want more of in 2026?

Featured / Mentioned Guests (Season 3 highlights):
•Chris Grollnek (Active Shooter Prevention Project)
•Arthur Simental (Disaster wargaming / tabletop training)
•IBHS guests (home hardening, wildfire & hurricane mitigation)
•Mariah Washington (NYC Emergency Management)
•Anthony Escoto (Disaster Operations Group) 

Chapters
00:00 - “Didn’t it just start?” 2025 flies by
00:53 - DisasterClass intro + bell (Class is in session)
01:36 - Thank you to listeners & sponsors
02:18 - Favorite episodes? Tell us what you want more of
03:05 - Live event breakdown: LA wildfires (Palisades & Eaton)
04:32 - Do you want more real-time disaster breakdown episodes?
05:02 - Ad Break: Sawyer Products
05:47 - Favorite guest highlight: NYC Emergency Management (Mariah Washington)
06:57 - Roundtable: AI in emergency management (ChatGPT “put to the test”)
08:54 - AI as a tool: benefits, limits, and misuse risks
11:49 - Favorite guest highlight: Arthur Simental + disaster wargaming
12:56 - Arthur + Todd Manns: building scenario-driven games
13:17 - IBHS episodes: resilient homes, hurricanes, wildfire science
15:17 - Why full-scale testing matters (real-world vs computer models)
16:07 - Chris Grollnek: active shooter preparedness insights
16:45 - Winter weather readiness: why this matters right now
17:14 - Winter travel + vehicle kit essentials
18:30 - Power outages: generator safety, food safety, surge protection
19:18 - Cold exposure safety + pets + wind chill risks
20:50 - Check on neighbors: vulnerable populations & welfare checks
21:39 - Real winter road shutdown lessons (why preparedness saves lives)
23:38 - Looking ahead: big things coming in 2026
24:06 - CEP course update teaser (major upgrade coming soon)
25:07 - CEP expansion: hosting training in your own community
25:41 - Partnership: Disaster Operations Group (Anthony Escoto)
26:03 - Wrap-up: feedback, rewatch episodes, and stay tuned
26:49 - Closing: Stay educated, prepared, and equipped 

🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🧢 Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts. 👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

🛡️ Instinct Ready DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com.

In Part 2 of our interview with Chris Grollnek, one of the nation’s leading experts in active shooter prevention and response, we transition from mindset to real-world action.

This episode breaks down the practical, proven steps schools, workplaces, and communities can take right now to build a true culture of preparedness. Chris shares decades of insight from law enforcement, consulting, and high-risk incident response to help organizations strengthen prevention, response, and recovery long before a crisis occurs.

Whether you’re a school administrator, safety coordinator, business leader, or simply someone who cares about community resilience, this episode provides actionable guidance you can implement immediately.
🔔 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• The core components of effective organizational preparedness
• Why some training fails — and how to make it stick
• Practical steps for schools, workplaces, and public venues
• How leadership drives a culture of resilience • Real strategies that empower everyday people to act under stress
• How to prepare communities without overusing fear

🎙 About Our Guest: Chris Grollnek
Chris Grollnek is a nationally recognized expert in active shooter prevention, counterterrorism, and complex threat response. His work focuses on realistic, research-supported strategies that help organizations prevent incidents and respond more effectively when seconds matter.

🔗 Connect with Chris — Through ASPPPRO For training, consulting, organizational support, and media inquiries, connect with Chris Grollnek through:

👉 ASPPPRO — Active Shooter Prevention Project
Website: https://aspppro.com/
Contact: https://aspppro.com/contact
Training & Services: https://aspppro.com/services

🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🧢 Sawyer Products Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way.
🌐 Visit: EMDisasterGaming.com

🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. In just one hour, learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit scaling the national campaign to bring bleeding-control training and tools to communities across the country.
🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

🛡️ Instinct Ready
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready—educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

0:00 Return on Regret – Cold Open  
0:11 “That’s the shift we all need to make.”  
0:16 DisasterClass Intro  
0:52 Welcome Back / Episode Setup  
1:22 Moving From Awareness to Action  
1:53 Mindset Shift for Organizations  
2:26 Corporate Disconnects in Readiness  
3:08 Fortune 100 Leadership Example  
4:01 Actuaries & the Cost of Prevention  
6:00 How to Get Leadership Buy-In  
7:02 Five-Question Assessment Method  
7:17 Introducing the PRO Model (Prevention • Response • Options)  
8:01 Why PRO Was Needed  
9:00 The Shooting That Sparked the Shift  
11:01 Faster Response ≠ Prevention  
12:03 Prevention in Emergency Management  
13:03 Bleeding Control Reality Check  
14:14 Personal Connection to Sandy Hook  
16:00 Tools Schools Can Implement  
17:06 Communications, Interop & Detection  
18:01 Gun Detection Technology (Types Explained)  
21:00 How the U.S. Army Uses PRO  
22:45 Gunshot Detection Accuracy  
24:00 The 17 Elements of Prevention  
25:04 Tabletop Exercises & Stakeholder Involvement  
26:30 Why Traditional Drills Are Expensive  
28:20 Harm of Hyper-Realistic Drills for Kids  
29:17 Active Shooter Prevention Project Overview  
30:54 Indoor Mapping & Real-Time Navigation  
32:53 Mapping for EMS & Dispatch  
34:44 All-Hazards Benefits of Prevention Tech  
35:53 Free Resources at ASPPPRO.com  
36:56 Closing Reflections from Jason & Wesley  
37:52 Preparedness = Empowerment  
38:25 Outro – Stay Educated, Prepared, Equipped

🚨 “It’ll never happen here.”
That mindset could cost lives. In this powerful episode, active-shooter prevention expert Chris Grollnek joins hosts Jason Perez and Wesley Long to break down what real readiness looks like—far beyond “run, hide, fight.” Chris shares how his on-duty experience changed his life and how schools, businesses, and families can prepare for the unthinkable without fear-mongering.

💡 In this episode:
✅ Why hiding is not a survival strategy
✅ What a survivable plan looks like for schools & staff
✅ The real timeline: police response vs. medical care
✅ Why bleeding-control skills save more lives than heroics
✅ How media & movies distort public expectations
✅ Free child-friendly guides for hard conversations 🎓 Guest:

Chris Grollnek – Founder of the Active Shooter Prevention Project (ASPP), retired Marine & law-enforcement officer, and national threat-management consultant.
🌐 Website: activeshooterpreventionproject.com

🧩 Next Episode (Part 2): Chris shares his PRO Model and actionable prevention steps for every organization.

⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 🚨 Cold Open: “It’ll Never Happen Here”
00:24 – 🎧 Title Sequence | DisasterClass Podcast Intro
00:35 – 🙌 Hosts Introduction: Jason & Wesley
00:53 – ⚖️ The Weight of the Topic
01:12 – 👮 Meet Chris Grollnek – Active Shooter Expert
02:45 – 🎖️ Chris’s Journey from Marine to Law Enforcement
03:35 – 💥 The Day Everything Changed
05:00 – 🎙️ Why Chris Rarely Speaks Out
06:40 – 🧩 Preparedness vs. Perception
07:30 – 🕐 Start Today: “Nothing Will Ever Be Perfect”
08:50 – 🏫 Defining Preparedness for Schools
10:20 – 📖 Redefining ‘Active Shooter’
12:45 – 🎓 Training the Right Way
13:30 – 👶 Free Children’s Resource Guide
15:00 – 🚫 Run, Hide, Fight? Not Always.
16:00 – 🧍‍♂️ Who Are the Real First Responders?
18:20 – 💡 Fear Sells, But Fear Doesn’t Solve
19:00 – 🎬 Media & Movie Influence on Public Perception
21:30 – ⏳ The Real Response Timeline
23:20 – 🩸 Bleeding Control Saves Lives
27:00 – ❤️ Shift from Heroics to Help
29:40 – 🛑 Stop the Bleed & Realistic Readiness
30:10 – 🎲 Sponsor Break: EM Disaster Gaming – Wildfire Mayhem
30:33 – 🔁 Reflection & Takeaways
31:00 – 🧠 Next Episode Teaser: The PRO Model
31:15 – 🎓 Outro | Stay Prepared. Stay Educated. Stay Equipped.

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🧢 Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way.
🌐 Visit: EMDisasterGaming.com

🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. In just one hour, learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit scaling the national campaign to bring bleeding-control training and tools to communities across the country.
🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

🛡️ Instinct Ready
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready—educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com.

In this episode of DisasterClass, hosts Jason Perez and Jason Martin (aka Pappy) welcome back Arthur Simental, founder of EM Disaster Gaming, and first-time guest Todd Manns, CEO of The Blue Cell Group.

Together, they discuss Complex Coordinated Attack, a groundbreaking new disaster war game designed to push the limits of training, preparedness, and decision-making for emergency managers and first responders.

Discover how this innovative partnership combines The Blue Cell’s simulation system, Chelsea County USA, with EM Disaster Gaming’s immersive game design to create an experience that bridges training, strategy, and realism like never before. 🚨 

What You’ll Learn:
-How Complex Coordinated Attack redefines traditional tabletop exercises
-The science behind gamification in disaster response training
-Why simulation and immersion improve decision-making under pressure
-How Chelsea County USA models real communities and crises
-Insights into ICS (Incident Command System) and how gaming teaches structure
-The future of emergency management education through interactive design

🧠 Key Takeaways
✅ Realistic decision-making through war gaming
✅ Collaboration between public and private preparedness organizations
✅ Bridging entertainment, education, and crisis readiness
✅ Preparing for the unpredictable through play-based learning

🔗 Learn More 🎮 EM Disaster Gaming → https://emdisastergaming.com
🏢 The Blue Cell Group → https://thebluecell.com

Chapters
00:00 – Cold Open: Welcome back to DisasterClass; preview of the return of Arthur Simental and introduction of the new game Complex Coordinated Attack.


01:10 – Host Introduction: Jason Perez and Pappy set up the episode and recap the previous “Disaster War Gaming” discussion.
03:00 – Guest Introductions: Arthur Simental (EM Disaster Gaming) and Todd Manns (The Blue Cell Group) join the show.
05:05 – The Vision Behind Complex Coordinated Attack: Arthur shares the inspiration and evolution of the game concept.
9:30 – The Gameplay Explained: Todd and Arthur describe how players simulate decision-making in a complex, multi-agency response scenario.
14:15 – Why Gamification Works: Discussion on how interactive training improves engagement and retention in emergency management.
18:40 – Real-World Applications: Exploring how agencies, schools, and private organizations can use the game for training and exercises.
24:10 – Lessons Learned from Players: Early feedback, challenges, and takeaways from the first users of Complex Coordinated Attack.
28:45 – The Future of Disaster Gaming: What’s next for EM Disaster Gaming and The Blue Cell Group — upcoming expansions and ideas.
33:10 – Key Takeaways: Preparedness training doesn’t have to be boring — gaming as an educational and engaging alternative.
35:25 – Closing & Call to Action: Where to find Complex Coordinated Attack and other preparedness resources from Instinct Ready.
37:10 – Outro Bell: Episode wraps with the signature DisasterClass bell sound.

💬 Join the Conversation
What do you think about using gaming to train for disasters? Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇

📢 Connect with DisasterClass
🌐 Website: https://www.instinctready.com/disasterclass
📸 Instagram: @disasterclasspodcast
🐦 Twitter/X: @DisasterClass

▶️ Subscribe for more episodes on preparedness, response, and resilience!

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🧢 Sawyer Products 
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts. 👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness! 🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🩸STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org.

🛡️ Instinct Ready
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

What if the biggest threat to your disaster readiness isn’t your gear… but your lack of sleep? In this episode of Disaster Class, Jason Perez and Wesley Long talk with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae, co-founders of The Inactive Company, about why rest is one of the most overlooked tools in emergency preparedness. You’ll learn:

• Why sleep deprivation can impair judgment like alcohol 🚨
• The Sleep 7 Playbook: seven steps to train better sleep 🛌
• How to build your own sleep cave (dark, cool, quiet) 🌙
• Simple fixes for blue light, shift work, and family sleep challenges ☀️
• One small change you can try this week for better rest ✔️

Whether you’re a first responder, shift worker, or just someone who wants to stay sharp under pressure, this episode will help you sleep better, think clearer, and be more prepared. 👉 Learn more about Lori & Jill’s work at inactiveco.com

🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🧢 Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness!  🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🩸STOP THE BLEED® CoalitionUncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved.  🌐 Visit:  StopTheBleedCoalition.org.

🛡️ Instinct Ready
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

Wildfires are burning hotter, faster, and in more places than ever before. In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, IBHS Senior Director Steve Hawks shares how post-fire research, Wildfire Prepared Home, and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhoods are helping families and communities build resilience against a growing national threat.

📌 Learn more: www.wildfireprepared.org | IBHS: https://ibhs.org
Follow us on social: @disasterclasspodcast

🌟 Sponsors

• Sawyer Products → https://sawyer.com
• EM Disaster Gaming → https://emdisastergaming.com
• Stop The Bleed Coalition → https://stopthebleedcoalition.org

Wildfires are spreading faster, burning hotter, and threatening communities across the U.S. — not just in California. But here’s the surprising truth: most homes don’t burn from flames… they burn from embers. In this debut episode of DisasterClass, we sit down with Steve Hawks, Senior Director for Wildfire at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and former CAL FIRE leader with 30+ years of experience. Steve shares how wildfire research, building science, and community action are helping families prepare for the growing wildfire threat. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why wildfires are now a national problem
• The biggest myths and misconceptions about wildfire preparedness
• How the Wildfire Prepared Home program helps homeowners reduce risk
• Why Wildfire Prepared Neighborhoods are essential for resilience
• 3 steps you can take today to safeguard your home from wildfire

📌 Resources & Links
Learn more: www.wildfireprepared.org
Follow IBHS: https://ibhs.org
Connect with DisasterClass: https://www.instagram.com/instinctready

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🧢 Sawyer Products
 Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
 👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness! 
 🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🩸STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. 
 🌐 Visit:  StopTheBleedCoalition.org.

🛡️ Instinct Ready
 DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

What does it really mean to be hurricane ready?

🌀 In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with meteorologist Rachael Gauthier from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to uncover the science-backed strategies that protect homes against hurricane damage.

Rachael explains:
✅Why your roof is your home’s first line of defense
✅How wind-rated garage doors prevent catastrophic structural collapse
✅The role of FORTIFIED construction standards
✅How grant programs are making upgrades affordable for homeowners
✅The real-world results from Hurricane Sally, where FORTIFIED homes were 70% less likely to file insurance claims

Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or emergency manager, this episode gives you practical steps and proven solutions to protect your property, reduce risk, and recover faster after severe storms.

🔗 Resources from IBHS FORTIFIED

Home Program: https://fortifiedhome.org/
Home Disaster Guides: https://ibhs.org/guidance/homedisasterguides/ R
oofing Roadmaps: https://ibhs.org/roofing-roadmaps/
Why Garage Doors Matter: https://ibhs.org/why-a-strong-garage-door-matters/
Disaster Discussions Podcast (IBHS): https://ibhs.org/disaster-discussions-podcast/ I
BHS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IBHS_org/videos

📱 Follow IBHS on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBHSorg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibhs_org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-business-&-home-safety
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ibhs_org

🔔 Subscribe to the DisasterClass Podcast
Helping you educate, prepare, and equip yourself for life’s disruptions. 

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disasterclass/id1662144263
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NDYauzCjHLgYXHVZarBdE
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@disasterclasspodcast
🌐 Website: https://www.instinctready.com/disasterclass

🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🧢 Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts. 
👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness! 
🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🩸STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org. 

🛡️ Instinct Ready 
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast by Instinct Ready, hosts Jason Perez and Wesley Long are joined by Anthony Escoto of Disaster Operations Group to take a deep dive into the Parks and Recreation Season 5 episode “Emergency Response.” You know—the one where Leslie Knope faces an avian flu outbreak drill on the exact same day as her big gala fundraiser.

With Anthony’s real-world disaster response expertise, we break down each scene of the fictional drill, highlighting what’s surprisingly accurate, what’s wildly unrealistic, and the valuable lessons that emergency managers, public safety professionals, and even city officials can take away.We also spotlight Haz Assist—the powerful tool from Disaster Operations Group—designed to help you assess risk and create plans. Learn more at disasteroperationsgroup.com.

From last-minute scenario reveals to communication breakdowns, political sabotage, and Leslie’s decision to “destroy the entire town” in the simulation, we uncover how this comedy episode is a goldmine for talking about incident command, exercise planning, and after-action reviews.Whether you’re a Parks and Rec fan, an emergency management professional, or just curious about how drills really work, you’ll walk away knowing why Pawnee’s approach would fail—and how real-world agencies like Disaster Operations Group do it right.

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🧢 Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🩸STOP THE BLEED® CoalitionUncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved.  
🌐 Visit:  StopTheBleedCoalition.org.

🎲 EM Disaster GamingEmergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness!  
🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🛡️ Instinct Ready
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com