The Emergency Management Network Podcast

I came across an article about an innovative leader Carl Braun. What interested me was his approach to communication. Braun believed that the way people communicated was a reflection of their thought processes. To change how someone thought, they needed to change how they wrote and spoke.

Many people make the mistake of writing to sound intelligent rather than writing to be useful. This approach can significantly diminish the impact of one's message. The more difficult it is for people to understand, the less likely they are to engage with the message.

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In this episode of Theory-N2-Practice, we talk with Nia D’Emilio who is the Learning & Events Coordinator for Epicenter Innovation. Before working in emergency management, she worked in the theater community in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles and working in the film industry. She holds a B.A. in Religion from Denison University and an M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University.

"Both resilience and innovation come in all shapes, sizes and …types! in this 60-min session you will learn about first-of-its-kind research that explores the ten "types" of Resilience Innovators active in the field of emergency management. You'll explore how your unique type can help you save lives in your community, be more effective at work, and create more innovative & resilient teams. Attendees will be given free access to the Resilience Innovator Type Assessment (RITA) so they can continue their professional development after the session." Nia D'Emilio - EpiCenter Innovation

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Sitting in front of the computer, thinking about what I should write about for this week's EMN Round-Up, I put on one of my favorite Jazz albums, Miles and Monk, at Newport Live 1958. This LP is an essential listen for everyone alive today! Jazz, in essence, is a group of very talented musicians, each a master of their instrument, coming together; they may have a set list, or they may not. They play off each other's strengths, and somehow, without any sheet music or a conductor, they produce a fantastic piece of music. (If you don’t like jazz, you can find the same type of collaborations with the Grateful Dead or Phish.) 

Jazz music can teach us much about disaster response, as both involve improvisation, collaboration, and adaptation to changing circumstances. Here are a few ways in which jazz music can inform disaster response:

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If I wrote a piece about planning for a pandemic in April 2019 and warned you that communities needed to be ready for social distancing, supply chain issues, and a run on toilet paper, you would have thought I was crazy. After 9/11, critics stated that one of the problems emergency managers have is a failure of imagination. So, today, we need to discuss geopolitics. 

As tensions continue to rise between the United States and China, and with China's aggressive stance towards Taiwan, it is becoming increasingly important for communities to prepare for the possibility of war. While the prospect of a world war may seem far-fetched, the reality is that it is always possible, and history has shown us the importance of being prepared.

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2023 looks set to be another turbulent and unpredictable year, with various new stressors and challenges facing individuals, teams, and organizations. From economic uncertainty and political volatility to technological disruption and environmental crises, many factors could impact the well-being and performance of teams in the coming year. Investing in understanding your team's strengths and motives, building more trust with authentic communication, having a clear set of well-being goals and showing care are more important than ever.

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Natural and technological hazards are a fact of life, and disasters can strike anytime. The frequency and severity of these events are on the rise, and they can cause significant loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption. In recent years, we have seen hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters affect communities around the world. While focusing on local loss reduction is essential, it is time to adopt a broader approach considering the global context of these hazards, environmental sustainability, and social resiliency.

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Stewardship is a concept that has been around for centuries, and it involves the responsible management and protection of resources. It can apply to many different areas of life, including financial resources, natural resources, and even personal relationships. At its core, stewardship is about caring for what we've been given to pass it on to future generations in better condition.

Stewardship is essential for individuals, communities, and even nations to consider. To be good stewards of our resources, we must first recognize that we are not the sole owners of these resources. Instead, we are simply caretakers for a time, responsible for managing them wisely and using them for the benefit of all.

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Last week I was out of pocket with a few events, so if you missed the podcast, it was me, not you. I was at the IAEM Region 9 Symposium. The team that put on the event did an excellent job. And Yes, I am currently the President of the Region. However, the conference committee needs to have the credit for this event. It was fantastic to see some outstanding speakers, and I got to meet some great emergency managers. I recommend attending small local events. Being in that intimate setting, interacting with professionals you may work with, and social networking is second to none.

I had a deep conversation with a few attendees about emergency management's current issues. The setting was perfect for exploring the concepts and having some introspection on how the field is changing and developing. 

Emergency management is constantly evolving as disasters become more frequent and complex. In recent years, emergency management has faced several significant challenges that have forced the field to adapt and grow in new ways.

The increasing demand for resources and funding is a significant issue facing the profession today. With the rising costs of disasters, emergency managers are constantly pressured to find new ways to fund their operations and ensure they have the resources to respond effectively to emergencies. The solution to budget restraints requires creative funding solutions, effective advocacy, and strategic planning to ensure that emergency management remains sustainable over the long term.

In addition, emergency management is also facing new challenges in technology and innovation. With the rapid pace of technological change, emergency managers must constantly stay abreast of new developments and trends to remain effective. We are looking at everything from new communication technologies and data management tools to advanced mapping and modeling software to help emergency managers make more informed decisions about resource allocation and response strategies.

Emergency management is constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges and demands. By staying engaged with the latest developments in the field, emergency managers must ensure that they are prepared to meet the needs of their communities and respond effectively to any emergency or disaster that may arise.

All of this is true; however, these are not even the pressing issues we must address. It is more profound than the everyday nuts and bolts of the job, and the topic may appear esoteric. 

The question that may have the most significant impact on the profession comes from the present challenges that create an environment that fosters ethical uncertainty and predicaments, resulting in tension, distress, and severe societal consequences. One may think this sounds hyperbolic; however, it truly is not. 

The complexities of hazards and risks associated with the vulnerabilities of communities are escalating. The need for emergency managers to deeply understand disaster policy, economics and the political process is just as critical, if not more important, than the old way of doing things. Today emergency management is more than just the four phases and five pillars taught in IS courses or the tactical skills that can be instilled with on-the-job training. We are looking at future emergency management, including AI, ML, AR, gamification of the workspace, deep thinking, and spacial, systematic decision-making. 

Disasters may be local; however, they are experienced globally through policies, decisions, plans, and responses that affect people's daily lives. Although ethical decision-making has always been vital in emergency management (EM), its policies and guidance have yet to be adequately acknowledged. As the field aims to attain professional recognition, it needs a code of ethics and conduct. The exploration of the components of an ethical code of conduct for EM has raised inquiries about distinctions or similarities between the required elements.

Dr. Carol Cwick and her working group have made a significant contribution to the field of emergency management by developing the emergency management code of ethics. This code provides a set of ethical principles and guidelines for emergency management professionals and helps to promote ethical decision-making and behavior in the field.

The emergency management code of ethics was developed through a rigorous process of consultation and collaboration with stakeholders from across the field of emergency management. This process ensured that the code reflects emergency management professionals' diverse perspectives and experiences and provides a practical and relevant framework for practitioners' challenges and issues.

However, the emergency management code of ethics is just one piece of a larger puzzle. To ensure that emergency management professionals are equipped to meet the needs of their communities, it is also essential to focus on improving the core competencies of the field.

The development of core competencies is essential for any profession. These competencies are the essential skills, knowledge, and abilities required for a professional to perform their job effectively. They are a benchmark for the knowledge and skills professionals should possess and are essential for setting industry standards, ensuring quality service, and creating a solid professional identity.

One reason a profession needs core competencies is to clarify what professionals expect. Competencies define the knowledge and skills required to perform a job and enable professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities comprehensively. They also provide a framework for employers and educators to develop job descriptions, training programs, and performance evaluations.

Core competencies also ensure that the professional workforce remains up-to-date with advancements and changes in the industry. As technology and the demands of the workforce evolve, so must the skills and knowledge of professionals. Core competencies provide a foundation for ongoing education and training, ensuring that professionals stay current and relevant.

Furthermore, core competencies create a common language and understanding among professionals within a specific industry. It enables professionals to communicate and collaborate effectively and efficiently. Standardized competencies also assist in cross-training and job shadowing, allowing the professionals to gain skills and knowledge in areas beyond their specialization.

Another significant benefit of having core competencies is the ability to establish accreditation and certification processes. Competencies serve as a standard of excellence and provide a framework for evaluating the skills and knowledge of professionals. Accreditation and certification processes can verify that professionals meet these standards and are competent in their field, enhancing their credibility and marketability.

Core competencies are crucial for the profession of emergency management. They clarify job expectations, ensure that professionals remain current and relevant in their field, establish a common language and understanding, and enable the development of accreditation and certification processes. By developing and adhering to core competencies, EM professionals can enhance their skills, knowledge, and abilities, promoting the growth and development of our profession.

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Andrew Owlett is a highly experienced security professional who has developed expertise in managing both cyber and physical security risks at a global scale. They are responsible for building and leading top-performing security teams that can handle the evolving threats in today's digital landscape. In addition to His focus on security operations, Andrew also plays a critical role in driving digital strategy and transformation for risk management.

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Leading in the AI age requires a unique set of skills and strategies to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. With AI technologies becoming increasingly pervasive in every aspect of our lives, leaders must have a solid understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these systems, as well as the ethical considerations that come with their use.

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