EM Weekly Podcast

In this episode, Zack and Jeff Perkins discuss Jeff's unique journey from aspiring rapper to emergency management professional. They explore the challenges of dispatching, the importance of building relationships in emergency management, and the critical role of technology and interoperability in public safety. Jeff shares insights on his experiences with FirstNet and LTE and how it has transforme...

In this episode of EM Weekly, host Zack engages in a dynamic conversation with ChatGPT about the transformative role of AI in emergency management. They explore how AI can assist emergency managers, especially those new to the field, by providing tools for data analysis, training, and real-time decision-making. The discussion covers practical applications of AI, including training programs, evacua...

In this episode of EM Weekly, Zack makes his return to podcasting and outlines his exciting plans for future episodes. He shares a sneak peek of upcoming guests, including experts from Trauma Soft and the CISA's Office of Bombing Prevention. With National Preparedness Month just around the corner, Zack delves into the critical topic of school safety. He stresses the importance of behavioral threat...

In this episode of EM Weekly, Zack dives deep into the world of emergency communications with Aaron Williams and Jason Burt from L3Harris. Discover the cutting-edge evolution of the radio industry, the game-changing adoption of LTE and LMR convergence, and how L3Harris is setting new standards from large agencies to small volunteer departments. Get the inside scoop on innovative safety features fo...

The conversation between Zack and Mike covers their long-standing friendship, Mike's journey into the army and his role as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. They discuss the challenges and training involved in EOD work, as well as the importance of realistic training and the need to balance risk aversion with preparedness for high-risk events. The conversation covers a wide range of...

In today's episode, Zack provides a debrief of his experience at the National Preparedness Symposium at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, highlighting the topics and trends discussed. Zack presented on the use of AI in emergency management and the need for understanding its limitations. Other big discussions included the importance of the national qualification system, the use of IPAWS for eme...

Today we're joined by James Neufeld of Samdesk, a company that provides real-time monitoring and intelligence augmentation using AI and software. James, the founder and CEO of Samdesk, has a background in broadcast and journalism, which led him to recognize the need for a better way to gather and analyze information during crises. The conversation explores the importance of real-time information i...

Andrew Donawa, an emergency manager within the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, discusses the unique role of law enforcement in emergency management. He highlights the importance of having dedicated emergency managers in every agency, regardless of the scale of the emergency. Andrew also shares his experiences in building an incident management team and the benefits of incorporating technology, such...

In this episode, Zack discusses the upcoming eclipse and its impact on communities. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness and readiness for large events, regardless of their scale. Zack highlights the anticipated impacts of the eclipse, such as increased traffic and congestion, and the strain on critical infrastructure. He also addresses communication challenges and the need for emergency r...

In this episode, Zack discusses the cell phone outage affecting major carriers and emphasizes the importance of having a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) communication plan. He explores alternate communication methods such as landlines, Wi-Fi, and smart devices, and contingency methods like satellite phones and radios. Zack also mentions the impact of solar flares on communication...

Joseph Porcelli, the Global Public Agency, Life Safety & Disaster Response Lead at Nextdoor, discusses the importance of connecting neighbors and building community resilience. He shares his journey from taking action in his own neighborhood to joining Nextdoor and working with emergency managers across the country. Porcelli emphasizes the value of service and the power of asking for and offer...

In this conversation, Doug Bainton, a citywide interagency coordinator in New York City, discusses the importance of interagency coordination in emergency management. He highlights the value of field experience and understanding the tactical mindset in emergency response. Doug emphasizes the need for building relationships and communication among different agencies and the benefits of working toge...

In this episode, Zack discusses his excitement for the innovations and advancements in emergency management that he anticipates in 2024. He highlights the role of AI in project management and organization, as well as the potential for AI to expedite emergency response. Zack also discusses the evolution of emergency management practices, emphasizing the need for flexibility and resilience. He explo...

Get pumped people - Discover ChatGPT's new superpower that lets you create your very own AI assistants! I'm talking customized Generative Pre-trained Transformers built for emergency managers, by emergency managers. In this episode, I showcase the two GPTs I built to become your exercise and messaging sensei. First, I unveil Exercise Architect - Our new tabletop and training workout buddy. I walk...

In this episode of EM Weekly, we sit down with Andy Bozzo, the visionary founder and CDO of Tablet Command. From his early success in college as an NCAA athlete, to his first career as a teacher, to his current role as a Fire Captain, Andy's unique journey epitomizes a fusion of service, technology, and continuous learning. We delve into the genesis of Tablet Command, a groundbreaking tool that ma...

On this week's episode, we talk to Jacob Saltzman! Jacob recounts his experience working emergency medical services at Burning Man and dealing with the two significant rainstorms that impacted the event this year. He details the unique emergency response structure at the festival, the challenges of providing care in extreme weather, and the resiliency of the Burning Man community. Jacob also share...

This is a must listen episode! This week's guest is David Riedman, researcher and creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database. We discuss the surprising realities around shootings and violence at schools that often go unreported in the media. How can emergency managers help schools be more proactive with safety planning and preparedness? David shares insights from the data and patterns seen in th...

Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments operate, but adopting new tech can be a challenge. In this week's episode, we chat with Micah Guadet, a trailblazer in using AI ethically and responsibly in the public sector. Micah developed the first course on adopting AI in government, sharing how to navigate policy, fear, and change management. He's an evangelist for the potential of AI t...

In this episode of the EM Weekly podcast, host Zack dives into the essential aspects of school emergency preparedness at the start of the academic year. From comprehensive strategies that administrators, teachers, and staff should implement, to the vital role parents play in ensuring their children's safety, we cover it all. The episode provides a roadmap for schools to create a resilient environm...

Today's episode is actually the launch episode for our latest podcast, Life Fire Layout! Subscribe and listen in! www.spreaker.com/show/life-fire-layout In the inaugural episode of "Life, Fire, Layout," host Prescott Nadeau sits down with Zack Borst, an emergency manager and host of the popular EM Weekly Podcast. Together, they delve into the purpose and vision for this new series. Nadeau shares h...

Really quick, if you're impacted or interested in helping the response to the recent flooding in Vermont, please visit www.vermont.gov/flood Here at EM Weekly and The Readiness Lab, we're all about the tech that takes us from "meh" to "wow". Enter Traumasoft, the game-changer that's aiming to give EMS agencies a big efficiency boost and a huge high-five to their hard-working providers. On today's...

Innovate or Die! Innovation is a term that is tossed around with little meaning and often referring to something that is 100%, not innovative. I think a lot of emergency managers want to be innovative but aren't given the space and time needed to actually create something new or different. So what's holding us back? How do we move our field from what it's doing into what we need to be doing? Why a...

So this is counterintuitive but I recommend that you watch this episode instead of listening. You can watch here: https://youtu.be/B6s8cAn4Y3I It's one thing to talk about what AI can do and another to actually have it do that. Today I am trying out a theoretical use for resource tracking and dispatching of resources. I started messing around with this over the last few days and built a prompt tha...

In this episode of EM Weekly, host Zack dives into the world of AI or artificial intelligence. Starting with the basics, Zack explains what AI is, where it currently stands, and where it's headed. He also addresses some of the common fears surrounding AI and why he believes they may be overblown. As an emergency manager himself, Zack shares his insights on how AI can be used in the field and how i...

Quick episode today breaking down the recent mass notification incident in Florida. I'm chatting about what I think may have happened but more importantly, how to avoid situations like this so that you don't become a national headline. Support our podcast! Everything EM Weekly: www.thereadinesslab.com/em-weekly-links EM Weekly shirts and merch: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/merch The Readin...