Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast

In this Episode we are here to debrief the debriefers and assess the assessors by taking a critical look at the QI processes commonly used in emergency management. Are our tools fit for purpose? Can we write a better AAR? To this end we will be featuring segments from a recent AVERT/CJEM ‘DEMvolution’ webinar moderated by our very own EPIC Co-host Grayson Cockett. The panelists you’ll hear from ar...

In this Episode, we’ll be discussing 3 major and recent fire evacuation disasters. The 2021 Lytton wildfire, the 2023 Yellowknife fires, and the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires. What similarities and differences exist between these 3 unique incidents, and what can we learn from them as Emergency Managers. To this end we will be speaking with Professor Steve Gwynne who is the research technical lead for...

In this Episode we’ll be taking a hard look at some common quips, quotes and colloquialisms that are so commonly repeated by Emergency Managers that they might as well be our mottos. Which ones hold up, and which are potentially misleading? And just in case you need a dose of humor to get through the week, we also have some bonus content at the end of this one in the form of an interview with Cher...

In this Episode, we’ll be playing devil's advocate and discussing some unspoken, unresolved, and sometimes controversial topics such as who Emergency Managers are, where Emergency Management fits, and good exercise design. To this end, We’ll be speaking with the Contrarian Emergency Manager himself, Tim Rieker. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian. Episode...

In this Episode, we’re featuring a presentation that took place during another series I host called ‘Disaster Rounds’, which is mainly tailored to healthcare disaster managers, but this one is too important not to share. During this presentation, Jeff Beddome, Senior Emergency Management Advisor with the Alberta Health Services Indigenous Wellness Core demonstrates the importance of recognizing Ca...

n this Episode, we’ll be discussing what we think Emergency Managers need to be aware of for EP Week 2024 and beyond. We’ll cover recent changes in BC EM legislation with Tarina College, new developments in academia with Simon Wells, recap some interesting conferences from 2023, as well as provide a ‘must attend list’ of upcoming conferences and training opportunities for 2024! All this and more o...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we’ll be continuing the conversation around the ongoing attempts to professionalize emergency management and discussing why this topic matters, where we are right now, what barriers we continue to encounter, and what the road ahead might look like. On the panel I have the pleasure of speaking with Tarina College, Carolyn Dumbeck,...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, Josh and Grayson go head-to-head in a no-holds-barred debate on the merits and downfalls of the much touted, but never perfected, 'All Hazards' approach to Emergency Management in Canada. Is it really the right approach for our coutry? Or have we moved past this 30+ year old model? A very special thanks to our moderator Sarah Hunn...

In this Episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we’re going to cover 3 key areas that need to be addressed in this now not-so-new world of virtual IMT activations. Technology, process, and people. What are we doing well, and what have we lost by signing in instead of showing up? To answer this, I will be speaking with Alison Poste, Carolyn Dumbeck, Sarah Delisle about their joi...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we’ll be discussing some of the theory around effective public risk communication and preparedness education, and identifying some barriers and issues that are commonly faced by those tasked with preparing the public. We’ll also be asking a rather nerve racking question for an educational podcast - is what we’re doing even working...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the concepts of recovery. What does it take to build a recovery team? What makes a community more resilient in the long term? How can we change building back, to building forward better? All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian Like/Follow/Share: www.epicpodcast.ca @EPIC__podcast (t...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the role of the furriest Emergency Managers ever - Disaster Dogs! We chat with the only full time Urban Search and Rescue Disaster Dog trainer in Canada, Jay Palmer about his experiences, stories, and the future for disaster K9s. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian Like/Follow/...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we take a look back on 2022 including reviewing our ‘EPIC Disaster Highlight Reel’, key changes in Emergency Management, and a peek at what 2023 might bring. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian Episode Links: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/top-ten-weather-sto...

Happy Halloween! On this spooky episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, Host Grayson shares the audio from a recent presentation he gave highlighting some of the scariest disaster myths, malpractices, and misinformation out there. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast. Current, Relevant, Canadian

In this Episode we’ll be discussing the very Canadian concept of caremongering. What is it? How did it come to be? And what does it mean for societal involvement in Emergency Management? We’ll also be sharing the story of one individual who made the transition from bystander to responder and PPE supplier for over-burdened medical facilities by re-tooling his robotics lab on the fly. All this and m...

In this Episode, we’ll be talking about a BC initiative to streamline the rapid assessment and triage of damaged homes during disaster, in an effort to jumpstart recovery, and decrease the drain on response resources. What is it? Who can help? And is it a tool that would be useful across Canada? To answer these questions we’ll be talking with Patrick Cullen and Tarina Colledge who have been involv...

In this special Emergency Preparedness Week Episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we’ll be taking a look at what Emergency Managers can learn from the field of public health, and how understanding the social determinants of health contributes to our understanding of social vulnerability. To this end we will be speaking with, Dr. Richelle Schindler, and Dr. Francesco Rizzuti w...

In this special Emergency Preparedness Week episode, we’ll hear from a panel of disaster logisticians as they recount their lived experiences managing resources during emergencies. We’ll also be exploring a very Canadian initiative to try and make the process of sourcing disaster resources a little easier called Emergency Management Logistics Canada. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podca...

In this Special Emergency Preparedness Week Episode, we’re talking disaster. Just disaster, because as we hope to convince you on this episode, the term ‘Natural Disaster’ is both technically incorrect, and potentially damaging. But why is that, and what can we do about it? To find out, we will be speaking with Kevin Blanchard about the #NoNaturalDisasters campaign which argues that changing the w...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we look back in history 119 years at the deadliest landslide in Canadian history. Why did it happen? What can we learn from it today? And will it happen again? All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian Episode Links: Alberta Emergency Management Agency. (2017, June). Turtle Mountain Response Pl...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the field of Crisis Management and cover some ‘must know’ pearls and pitfalls with the person who literally wrote the book on Crisis Management - Dr. Timothy Coombs. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian Episode Links: https://instituteforpr.org/crisis-management-communications/...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the concept of Decolonization in Emergency Management, and are joined by Dr. Manyguns to fill in some gaps in the colonial version of history, and discuss an approach to including traditional knowledge and values in Disaster Risk Reduction. All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast: Current, Relevant, Canadian E...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the link between climate impacts, personal health, and the healthcare system. Does Healthcare Emergency Management have a key role to play in Climate Action? What do we need to do to secure critical healthcare infrastructure? Luckily, we have Dr. Amita Sudhir on the show to address some of these questions! All this and...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we speak with Professor Jack Lindsay on the historic events unfolding in February of 2022, and the first use of the Emergencies Act in Canada. Learn about the acts historical context, the details of its use, the authorities and limitations within the act, and some of the misinformation and rumors to be wary of. All this and more o...

On this episode of Emergency Preparedness in Canada (EPIC) Podcast, we explore the concept of building climate resilient infrastructure at a local level. To this end we connect with Sophie Guilbault from the institute of catastrophic loss reduction on the work that she and her organization has done to guide resilience building efforts across Canada All this and more on this episode of EPIC Podcast...