Disaster Tough Podcast

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you," wrote acclaimed author, Fred DeVito. As the calendar turns to a new year, many are looking for ways to change their routines and habits for the better, and the world of Emergency Management is no exception. In this first episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast for 2023, host John Scardena and EM Weekly host, Zack Borst discuss what changes they s...

It's been an eventful year in the Disaster Tough Podcast, and the world of Emergency Management as a whole. Internally, the show continues to be podcast most listened to by Emergency Managers around the world. Meanwhile, The Readiness Lab as a whole continues to grow and create content related to disaster readiness and emergency management that cannot be found or matched elsewhere. Externally, Mot...

It's been said, "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." As the Director of Emergency Management for the State of Vermont, Erica Bornemann knows this well, and works every day to make sure her department is operating at its highest level, especially in the winter, when the state is on high alert for emergency situations. Erica has also served as the President of the National Em...

When disasters and emergencies happen, one of the first things people affected seek is comfort wherever and however they can find it. It's been said, "Food is the most primitive form of comfort," and this week's guest on the Disaster Tough Podcast, David Marks, has been on the frontlines of making this a reality over the past decade. David is the Head of Business Development for Operation BBQ Reli...

Common themes in many episodes of the Disaster Tough Podcast are the importance of good communication, collaboration, and situational awareness. These themes come up again in this week's episode, but are explored from the perspective of one of Disaster Tough Producer, Aman Chabra. Aman has been editing and producing the Disaster Tough Podcast since April 2021. Before working behind the scenes on D...

It’s been said the best education and experience happens at the grassroots level with experts working in the field. Former FEMA Administrator and Secretary of Homeland Security, Pete Gaynor knows this well as he recently returned from working as a volunteer in the field at disasters overseas and domestically. This Fall, Pete has spent time in Indonesia responding to the earthquake that hit West Su...

Walt Disney once said, “Curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” While Emergency Management may be classified as a very specific career choice, there are many paths that one can take once they get into it. That is the idea explored in this week’s episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast with Shawn Steadman of Saint Louis University. Shawn has been the Director of Emergency Management at SLU for mo...

During times of emergency, communication of correct information is important, and Public Information Officers like Prescott Nadeau play a key role in making sure this is accomplished. Prescott has been the PIO for the Williston Fire Department in Vermont for the past decade. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Prescott talks about how important it is for emergency response agencies to b...

The phrase, “Going down the rabbit hole,” is often used as a way to describe someone wasting time or getting distracted. However, the field of Emergency Management grows and evolves, going “down the rabbit hole” of discussing and sharing information and best practices is vital for continued growth and success. Such is the endeavor of this week’s episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast featuring Emer...

Tell Us How To Make It Better Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rMpmpkewMHZtvYgUMJh0J?si=f98ef1ead4f245ad Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tell-us-how-to-make-it-better/id1585824054

“Whatever your craft is, be a master of it," said multi-platinum recording artist, Kid Rock. Nat Sellers AKA “The Preparedness Guy”, has put in the time and energy to master his craft of Emergency Management, and is now sharing that knowledge with the world on his new podcast, Preparedness Works, found only in The Readiness Lab. In an entertaining conversation on this week’s Disaster Tough Podcast...

Winston Churchill once said, “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” At Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Directo...

The Danish Theologian, Søren Kierkegaard once said, “Life is lived (looking) forwards, but understood (looking) backwards.” In this week’s episode, Emergency and Crisis Management expert, Kyle King takes a look back at the various disasters that have happened in 2022, both domestically and abroad. From the war in Ukraine, to the recent damage done by Hurricane Ian, Kyle gives his take on what citi...

Opposite ends of the county, opposite ends of the spectrum- Hurricanes and Wildfire Seasons are in full swing. Hurricane Ian blasted through Florida this past week, causing thousands of people to be impacted. The Mosquito Fire Response is cooling down as responders gear up for a continually active wildfire threat. So how are these responses similar and how are they different? Patrick McGinn, Direc...

It's been said, "If some is good, more is better." That statement has never been more true than right now in The Readiness Lab as their lineup of entertaining and informative content continues with the reboot of the EM Weekly Podcast. This week, EM Weekly's new host, Zack Borst returns to the Disaster Tough Podcast for a discussion about the updated format. In this episode, Zack and Disaster Tough...

Gavan Hebner may be "Midwestern Nice", but his approach to readiness has the Emergency Management Department in Clark County, Indiana ahead of the curve instead of finishing last. Gavan is Clark County's Director of Emergency Management. As such, he oversees readiness efforts for large events such as the Annual Aviation Heritage Air Show, collaborates with and offers support for neighboring agenci...

“Rising Again” is the motto for the City of Atlanta. That motto definitely applies to the level of readiness at the city's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This week’s guest, Michael Rega is one of the many people responsible for making sure the airport not only remains at such a high level of readiness, but also continues to improve. Michael has been an Emergency Planner at Hartfield-Jac...

In this episode, John shares insights into becoming and remaining a highly accomplished emergency manager. He breaks down five key areas that emergency managers can do in order to achieve greatness. His experience as a Chief Executive Officer at Doberman Emergency Management Group, along with his leadership experiences in the public and private sectors has provided him with experiences to analyze...

In February 2018, the term "Philly Special" went down in history for football fans everywhere as the now iconic trick play caught the New England Patriots completely unprepared and helped propel the Philadelphia Eagles to their first World Championship. That same month, Dominick Mireles was promoted to Deputy Director of Operations in the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Now as Directo...

The key components of an After Action Review include analyzing the following: What happened, why did it happen, and how can it be done better going forward. Experienced Emergency Manager, Zack Borst, along with Orlando District Fire Chief Walt Lewis are no strangers to this concept. As two of the major contributors to The Readiness Lab’s recent certification, The Readiness Lab’s recent training an...

The slogan on a popular restaurant chain says that the better the ingredients, the better their food tastes. According to this week’s guest on the Disaster Tough Podcast, Rachell Laucevicius, the same can be true for Emergency Management. For example, the better the coordination, collaboration and communication, the better your response to a disaster turns out to be. Rachell is currently a Crisis...

Summer may be winding down, but Hurricane Season is still in full swing. With more storms being named each year than ever before, it is important to make sure we are able to identify when it is important to be worried, and when not to be. Director Ken Graham of the National Weather Service joins the Disaster Tough Podcast this week to talk about just that using a method he calls, “Little Wiggles”....

A philosopher once said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.” There are few places where this statement is more true than at the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This week’s guest, Dr. Jeff Stern is the Superintendent of FEMA EMI. Dr. Stern brings more than 3 decades of experience in the Emergency Management and response fields to this positi...

The late comedian Robin Williams once said, “Hurricanes are getting bigger and bigger, yet they usually give them names that don’t inspire fear.” While the names of hurricanes may not always be intimidating, not knowing where it's going, what it can do, or how to be ready when the storm hits is an extremely worrisome place to be. This week’s guest on the Disaster Tough Podcast, Jamie Rhome, knows...

“Success has to do with deliberate practice. Practice must be focused, determined, and in an environment where there's feedback,” said prominent writer, Malcom Gladwell. This was the idea behind the recent three-day exercise held in Indiana called “Operation Lights Out”. The exercise involved Emergency Managers from various entities in the Hoosier state along with officials from FEMA including thi...