They got the alert.
They heard the warning.
They had time to leave.
And they stayed anyway.

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we break down one of the most dangerous patterns in emergency response: why people ignore warnings—even when the risk is real.

From wildfires to hurricanes, tornadoes to floods, history shows that delayed decisions cost lives. But this isn’t about ignorance—it’s about human behavior.

We explore real-world disasters like the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, where delayed evacuation led to devastating consequences. Then we break down the psychology behind it, including normalcy bias, confirmation seeking, and real-world barriers that prevent people from taking action.

Most importantly, we show you how to overcome these biases and make faster, better decisions when it matters most. Because warnings don’t save lives—decisions do. 🎯 What

You’ll Learn:

• Why people delay or ignore emergency warnings
• The “Warning Failure Loop” and how it works
• Real disaster case studies and lessons learned
• How to overcome hesitation in high-risk situations
• Practical steps to improve your emergency decision-making

📚 Sources Referenced:

• CAL FIRE – Camp Fire Incident Report (2019)
• Butte County Sheriff’s Office Fatality Summary
• FEMA – Hurricane Katrina After Action Report
• NOAA/NWS – Flood Fatalities Data
• Texas Division of Emergency Management – Hurricane Rita AAR

🔗 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

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Cold Open: “They got the alert…”
00:33 – Camp Fire Case Study (Paradise, CA)
00:51 – Episode Introduction
01:18 – Hosts Introduced (Jason & Pappy)
01:28 – Topic Setup: Emergency Warnings
02:10 – Why Ignoring Warnings Is Common
03:15 – The Warning Failure Loop
05:20 – Normalcy Bias Explained
07:40 – Confirmation Seeking Behavior
09:30 – Confusion & Lack of Clarity
11:15 – Real-World Barriers to Action
13:30 – Disaster Case Examples
16:10 – How to Make Better Decisions
18:00 – Pre-Decision Strategy
20:10 – Removing Barriers
22:15 – Training & Practice
24:10 – Personal Reflection
26:00 – Listener Challenge
27:15 – Key Takeaways
28:30 – Closing Message

What would you do if someone collapsed right in front of you?

In this solo episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Pappy explores a hard truth about emergencies: you do not rise to the occasion—you fall back on your training.

When stress hits, good intentions are not enough. In those first critical moments, people often freeze, hesitate, or wait for someone else to act.

That is why training matters. It builds competence, confidence, and the ability to respond when every second counts.

In this episode, Pappy breaks down why people freeze, how training changes outcomes, and why preparedness is not just about knowledge—it is about action. If you have ever told yourself you should probably learn CPR, first aid, or emergency response skills “someday,” this episode is your reminder that someday should probably be sooner.

🔗 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

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – The Scenario: Someone Collapses
00:20 – The Critical Question: Do You Know What to Do?
00:32 – The Reality: You Fall Back on Training
00:49 – Title Sequence
01:00 – Episode Introduction 
01:30 – Why People Freeze in Emergencies
02:45 – The Bystander Effect Explained
04:10 – Training vs Instinct
05:30 – Confidence Comes from Repetition
06:50 – The Cost of Not Being Prepared
08:10 – What a Few Hours of Training Can Do
09:30 – Closing Thoughts: Action vs Intention
10:15 – Final Takeaway

When someone collapses from cardiac arrest, brain injury begins in 4–6 minutes.

In many communities, EMS arrival can take 10 minutes or more.

So what exists in that gap?

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with firefighter-paramedic and AED Empire co-founder Dustin Talacko to discuss the dangerous space between emergency and response — and why access to life-saving equipment can determine whether someone survives.

Drawing from thousands of emergency calls, Dustin explains why preparedness is not about panic, but infrastructure. We explore why organizations delay purchasing AEDs, how decision paralysis affects safety planning, and why survival should never depend on luck, location, or privilege.

Dustin also shares the story behind AED Empire, a company built to simplify access to automated external defibrillators and bleeding control solutions so organizations can move from good intentions to real preparedness.

If you are responsible for the safety of others — in a workplace, school, gym, church, or public venue — this conversation will change how you think about readiness.

What You'll Learn
• The critical first minutes of cardiac arrest
• The gap between collapse and EMS arrival
• Why many organizations delay implementing AED programs
• How simplifying preparedness improves real-world outcomes
• Why access to equipment reduces responder stress
• The role of bleeding control in modern safety planning

About Dustin Talacko
Dustin Talacko is a firefighter-paramedic and co-founder of AED Empire, a national life-saving equipment platform focused on improving access to AEDs and bleeding control resources. His work sits at the intersection of public safety, workplace readiness, and responder mental health.

Learn More About Dustin & AED Empire
🌐 https://www.aedempire.com

🔗 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.
🌐 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 Cold Open – The Dangerous Assumption About Emergency Response
01:03 Meet Dustin Talacko
02:25 Why Seconds Matter in Cardiac Arrest
03:33 The Reality of EMS Response Times
05:08 The Dangerous Gap Between Collapse and Response
06:57 Why AED Access Still Falls Short
10:29 Why Organizations Delay Preparedness
13:28 The Origin of AED Empire
16:59 From Field Experience to Building a Business
20:26 Simplifying AED Access
24:06 Why Preparedness Shouldn't Depend on Luck
27:28 The Role of Bleeding Control
30:08 Infrastructure vs Panic
33:20 Making Preparedness Simple
36:06 What True Readiness Looks Like

Every day, thousands of Americans board international flights thinking about beaches, business meetings, and bucket lists.

Very few think about embassy locations.
Very few think about hospital systems.
And almost no one thinks about what they would do if they were told to shelter in place in a country that isn’t theirs.

Recently, tourists in parts of Mexico were advised to remain inside their hotels due to instability. Flights were delayed. Movement was restricted. Information was fragmented.

But this type of disruption isn’t isolated to one country.

Across the world — including regions like the Middle East and Iran — travelers have faced sudden airspace closures, government advisories, unrest, and rapidly changing conditions that left tourists relying on embassies and emergency planning instead of itineraries.

That’s not a political conversation.
That’s a preparedness conversation.

In this roundtable discussion, Jason Perez, Pappy, and Anthony Escoto from Disaster Operations Group break down what smart travelers do differently before they leave the country.

We discuss:
• How the U.S. STEP Program actually works
• What embassies can — and cannot — do for you
• Documentation redundancy and passport planning
• Financial and logistical buffers for travel disruptions
• A real experience calling an ambulance overseas
• Travel medical and evacuation considerations
• Shelter-in-place vs evacuation decision-making
• Traveling internationally as a father responsible for a family
• Leadership and psychological preparedness abroad 

If you travel internationally — for business, vacation, or mission work — this episode will change how you think about preparedness.

For Instinct Ready services or Capable Community courses:
📩 [email protected]

o learn more about operational preparedness:
🌐 disasteroperationsgroup.com

Prepared travel isn’t about expecting disaster. It’s about respecting uncertainty. ⸻

🔗 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

Chapters
00:00:07 – Why Travel Preparedness Matters
00:00:20 – Mexico Shelter-in-Place Context
00:03:45 – How the STEP Program Works
00:05:29 – Evacuation Considerations
00:08:32 – Documentation & Passports
00:12:17 – Traveling Internationally with Family
00:14:09 – Communication Planning While Abroad
00:16:45 – Financial & Money Considerations Overseas
00:18:33 – Travel Insurance & Coverage Discussion
00:24:53 – Calling an Ambulance Overseas (Real Experience)
00:37:09 – Disaster Operations Group Perspective

In Part 1, we asked a difficult question: Why does preparedness fail so many people after disasters?

In Part 2, we go deeper.

This episode explores what changes when risk becomes visible — not as a checklist, not as a warning, but as something that can actually be understood, measured, and acted on before disaster strikes.

As insurance companies, real estate markets, and governments increasingly price risk into everyday life, homeowners and communities are often left reacting to decisions already made without them.

So what does visibility really mean? And why does it change recovery outcomes?

In this documentary-style episode, DisasterClass hosts Jason Perez and Jason “Pappy” Martin continue their conversation with Ben Gilliland, founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence, to examine:
• Why risk is already visible to insurers — but not to homeowners
• How small, hidden failure points lead to catastrophic loss
• Why preparedness often stops at survival instead of recovery
• What it means to understand how things actually fail
• How visibility shifts decisions, priorities, and outcomes
• Why recovery is becoming harder even after “smaller” disasters

This episode is not about fear or forecasting. It’s about agency — and what becomes possible when people can finally see the risks shaping their future.

🎧 This is Part 2 of a two-part documentary series. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there to understand why preparedness alone is no longer enough. ⸻

🔗 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. 🌐 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

Chapters
00:00 – The Question Preparedness Never Answers
00:25 – How Risk Becomes Visible
00:33 – DisasterClass Introduction
00:55 – Why Insurers Don’t Guess
01:35 – Where Preparedness Falls Short
02:30 – Understanding Failure Before It Happens
03:25 – Why Small Failures Lead to Big Loss
04:20 – Risk Is Already Being Priced In
05:30 – Translating Risk for Homeowners
06:30 – What Visibility Changes
07:30 – From Information to Action
08:20 – The Role of Instinct Ready
09:00 – Agency, Recovery, and What Comes Next
10:05 – Final Reflection

Across the country, people are doing what they’ve been told.

They build emergency kits.
They follow alerts.
They evacuate when ordered.

And still — they lose everything.

Not during the disaster.
After it.

In Part 1 of this documentary-style episode, DisasterClass examines a hard truth most preparedness conversations avoid: survival is not the same as recovery.

Homes may survive storms but become unlivable. Insurance claims may be approved but still fall short. Families may do “everything right” and still never fully recover.

To understand why preparedness is failing — and why that failure is accelerating — hosts Jason Perez and Jason “Pappy” Martin speak with Ben Gilliland, a technologist and disaster-resilience expert whose work focuses on what determines whether recovery is even possible after first responders leave.

This episode does not offer quick tips or checklists.

 Instead, it asks a deeper question:
Is the way we define preparedness still working?

🎧 This is Part 1 of a two-part documentary series.
Part 2 explores how risk becomes visible — and what changes when people can finally see it. ⸻

🔗 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.
🌐 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

Chapters
00:00 – The Problem No One Talks About
00:32 – Is Preparedness Still Working?
00:40 – Why This Episode Is Different
01:05 – DisasterClass Introduction
01:27 – Why Preparedness Is Failing
01:36 – Introducing Ben Gilliland
02:01 – Survival vs. Recovery
03:10 – Where Preparedness Stops
04:15 – The Hidden Cost After Disasters
05:35 – Why Recovery Is Getting Harder
06:45 – What Preparedness Misses
07:45 – The Question That Changes Everything
08:34 – Final Reflection & What Comes Next

What should kids actually know how to do during an emergency?

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Jason Perez and Pappy break down emergency preparedness for kids by age, using real-world case studies, child development science, and practical experience to show what children are truly capable of when they’ve been prepared calmly and intentionally.

This isn’t about scaring kids — it’s about building familiarity, confidence, and capability.

We cover:
• What toddlers can realistically do in an emergency
• How young children recognize danger and ask for help
• Why pre-teens often outperform adults when they have clear procedures
• How teens step into leadership roles during real emergencies
• Why preparedness reduces panic — and fear-based messaging doesn’t work

Throughout the episode, we share real-life examples of children who saved lives, evacuated safely, or made critical decisions during:
• Medical emergencies
• Fires
• Natural disasters
• Violent incidents

These stories prove one core truth:
Children are not liabilities in emergencies.
Unprepared children are.

⸻

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• How cognitive development affects emergency response at different ages
• Why repetition and normalization matter more than one-time instruction
• How to assign age-appropriate responsibilities without overwhelming kids
• What parents, schools, and child-focused organizations should stop doing
• How to build preparedness without creating anxiety

 ⸻

📄 Free Resource: Capable Kids™ Emergency Readiness Checklist

We reference the Capable Kids™ Emergency Readiness Checklist throughout this episode. Y

ou can download it here: 👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/17E-Af0-bTbSCQmpbAkojAYWBVWoU16Tu/view?usp=sharing

The checklist breaks down:
• What kids can do at each age
• What adults should practice with them
• Emotional preparedness strategies for all ages

⸻
🛡️ About Instinct Ready & Capable Community

Everything discussed in this episode reflects the approach used by Instinct Ready when developing emergency plans and training for:
• Families and households
• Child care centers and early learning programs
• K–12 schools and school districts
• Camps, youth programs, and community organizations

This same philosophy is also taught in the Capable Community course series, which helps families and communities build preparedness skills step by step — without fear-based messaging or unrealistic expectations.

Learn more at 👉 https://www.instinctready.com

⸻
🎧 About the DisasterClass Podcast
The DisasterClass Podcast by Instinct Ready Emergency Management focuses on practical preparedness, real-world decision-making, and capability-building — for everyday people, families, and communities.

If this episode was helpful:
• 👍 Like the video
• 📌 Subscribe for future episodes
• 💬 Share it with a parent, teacher, or school leader

Prepared kids are calmer kids.
Prepared families are more resilient families.

00:00 – What Would Kids Actually Do in an Emergency?
01:10 – Preparedness for Kids: Calm, Not Fear
02:40 – How Kids Think and React Under Stress
04:00 – Toddlers (Ages 2–4): Familiarity and Simple Actions
05:40 – Real Story: 4-Year-Old Calls for Help
07:10 – Ages 5–7: Awareness and Asking for Help
08:40 – Real Story: Young Child Gets Help During Medical Emergency
10:20 – Ages 8–11: Confidence, Responsibility, and Procedures
12:10 – Real Story: Child Recognizes Tsunami Warning Signs
14:00 – Ages 12–14: Decision-Making and Situational Awareness
15:40 – Ages 15–18: Teens as Leaders in Emergencies
17:20 – Emotional Preparedness at Every Age
18:40 – Final Takeaways: Calm, Confident, Capable Kids

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