Me, Myself & Disaster

Social media has redefined how we communicate, particularly during a disaster. In this episode Andrew & Josh speak to Colleen Hagerty and Mar Reddy-Hjelmfelt to understand the impact of social media during disasters. During this extended panel episode, we explore the impact of the recent US Senate hearing, the challenges with misinformation, and whether our guests believe social media has a net negative or positive impact on society. Join us as we dig through the details with two experts and provide advice for emergency managers to more effectively use social media when communicating with communities.

The significant impact of disasters disproportionately affects poorer nations, fuelling a demand for disaster aid. But does the aid provided by wealthier countries have a net positive impact on impacted communities?

This week we delve into the challenges of disaster aid and are joined by Professor Simron Singh from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Simron spent ten years researching the indigenous communities in the Nicobar Islands - a small archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. The Nicobarese people lived a very traditional way of life, but following the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, the islands have undergone a significant cultural shift. External donations and disaster aid has introduced other ways of life onto the islands.

Listen in as we speak with Simron about the challenges and complexities of aid and donations following a disaster, as well as how emergency managers can work with communities with a distinctly different culture to their own during the recovery from a disaster.

The NSW Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance MP joins Andrew and Josh to talk about the long recovery from the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, mental health, politics and leadership during disasters.

As the head of FEMA, Craig Fugate led the nation's response to several super storms and hurricanes. Craig talks with Josh and Andrew about politics, the role of the private sector and emergency management challenges.

During the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires in Australia, debate raged as to whether the 'worst fires in Australia's history' were a result of hazardous conditions caused by climate change, the severe drought or poor mitigation.

Josh and Andrew speak with leading disaster researcher and Professor of Disasters and Health at the University College London, Ilan Kelman about whether climate change is responsible for an increase in disasters.

We also discuss Ilan's new book - Disaster by Choice, exploring how the choices we make can increase our vulnerability to disasters.

This is an episode not to miss! Join the discussion and share your thoughts using #MeMyselfDisaster on social media.

When we think about places like Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria, the first thing that probably comes to mind is war. 70% of areas impacted by conflict are affected by disasters, and 30% of disasters trigged by natural hazards occur in countries affected by conflict.

Rod Mena joins the show today to discuss disaster risk reduction in some of the most challenging places on Earth. Rod Mena is Assistant Professor of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Governance at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam.. He was raised in a firefighting family in Chile and has since lived and worked in some really challenging environments across the world - including South Sudan and Afghanistan.

Josh and Andrew talk through the challenges of working in these environments, and discover that many of the principles applied to reducing disaster risk in conflict zones are lessons that can be applied in other parts of the world.

Season 2 is here and the Disaster Bros (Andrew and Josh) get ready to explore the the emerging trends in disaster management with new and interesting guests.

When an emergency happens, the first responders on scene are almost always bystanders who render first aid and call for assistance.

What if those bystanders had the training and skills to save a person's life?

This week we were joined by Assistant Commissioner Yazid Abdullah, Director of Volunteer and Community Partnership Department and COL Dr Shalini Arulanandam, Chief Medical Officer, from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The SCDF are responsible for firefighting, rescue and ambulance services in Singapore, but also have a number of interesting community initiatives underway - including the 'save a life' initiative.

Listen in as Josh and Andrew learn more about the Singapore approach, hear about their recent Hackathon and discuss tips for engaging the community and the corporate sector in emergency management activities.

Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, landslides, bushfires and floods - Chile is one of the most disaster prone areas in the world.

Today on the show Andrew and Josh speak with Deputy Director of the Chilean National Emergency Office Cristóbal Mena about the many hazards facing Chile and the level of community preparedness.

Cristóbal also shares his insights into the structure of emergency management agencies in Chile, how their governance model and transparent approach to vulnerability has been recognised by the UNDRR and his journey to emergency management after first considering life as a Priest.

While science, technology, engineering and maths have been often highlighted as the critical areas of study for our future, we ask Cristobal about the next decade and what skills emergency managers need to work with communities and reduce disaster risk. Join us on the show to learn more!

How do you support a community during a disaster, while encouraging residents to become active decision makers and coordinators in the local response? Josh and Andrew headed down to Wellington recently to find out!