The Emergency Management Network Podcast

As someone who's had the privilege of knowing Justin Kates for several years and sharing a seat with him on the board of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), I am thrilled to witness his ascent to the role of President for the 2023-24 term. Justin's election is a testament to his unwavering dedication and expertise in emergency management. Justin is known for his thoughtful...

Today, my heart is full of gratitude and excitement. As we cross the three-year mark of our journey together, I want to reflect on our shared experiences and thank each of you for your unwavering support. Three years ago, EMN was an idea, a spin-off from a podcast I was producing. The concept was simple yet ambitious – to deliver emergency management content in new and exciting forms. Looking back...

Get inspired, motivated, taught, and engage with real-life Leaders, Emergency Managers, and Emergency Management Professionals. Founded by Leadership and Emergency Management Professionals for Leaders and Emergency Managers! A community to engage in quality discussions and training without the distraction of ads and other nonsense distractions. Let’s get better and let’s do it together! LinkedIn:...

Today, we are at a pivotal moment in history. As the world watches with bated breath, nations grapple with crises that test the very core of their resilience and determination. The war in Ukraine has become a stalemate without an off-ramp, and the new conflict in Israel looks as if it may become long and drawn out. We look at the countless other situations many African nations have been in sustain...

When it comes to leadership and emergency management, the “Theory-N2-Practice” is an examination and evaluation of learning and leadership. This podcast will take the listener on a journey of personal and professional growth. development with reflection, evaluation, and correction. Join me, Dan Scott, as I go on this journey of self-discovery and talk with some of the greatest leaders, influencers...

When it comes to leadership and emergency management, the “Theory-N2-Practice” is an examination and evaluation of learning and leadership. This podcast will take the listener on a journey of personal and professional growth. development with reflection, evaluation, and correction. Join me, Dan Scott, as I go on this journey of self-discovery and talk with some of the greatest leaders, influencers...

After a thoughtful hiatus, the “Disaster Politics” podcast is set to return, poised to continue exploring the intricate weave of policy, legislation, and disaster management. This pause allowed Jeff Schlegelmilch to reflect, recalibrate, and refine the content to ensure it remains as relevant and insightful as ever. The reintroduction of the show promises to bring forth more enriched and diverse c...

I have been intrigued by the concept of the Overton Window for a while now. Initially because of its profound implications for social policy. The framework offers us a way to understand how cultural shifts happen, how ideas once considered radical can become accepted norms, and how policy change occurs. As I delved deeper, I realized that this concept has an equally significant application in an a...

Finding the Path to Become a Skilled Emergency Manager I wrote a piece called The Hard Truths: Addressing Endemic Challenges in Emergency Management Hiring Practice . It was critical of the current hiring process of choosing underqualified individuals at best or outright unqualified.  I call upon the emergency management industry to look at its hiring criteria to better align with the specialized...

Over the last five years, the U.S. has consistently faced an average of 18 severe disasters annually, each causing damages upwards of a billion dollars. The pattern persisted in 2022, with 18 such incidents inflicting $175.2 billion in damages and resulting in 474 deaths.  On a global scale, the EM-DAT Emergency Event Database recorded 387 instances of natural disasters in 2022. These events led t...

In this ever-evolving world, our societies are constantly being tested by emergencies and crises that shake the foundations of our security, stability, and prosperity. In such turbulent times, the efficacy of our responses and actions reveals the robustness of our preparations and the depth of our understanding of emergencies. Yet, I fear the lessons we just witnessed in Hawaii will be repeated. H...

What is Leadership? Let's explore a topic that has the power to change organizations, societies, and, indeed, the world. I am referring to Leadership, a concept that often needs to be more understood and frequently misrepresented. Over the course of this conversation, I aim to distill some fundamental truths about Leadership using the ideals encapsulated in twenty pivotal maximums that capture the...

In the contemporary epoch, characterized by escalating environmental uncertainties and rapidly changing weather patterns, disaster management has come under the spotlight. A key aspect of effective disaster management is cultivating a 'culture of preparedness,' a societal framework that prioritizes readiness and proactive action to confront natural and man-made disasters. Let’s explore the role of...

Why do you serve? What get’s you out of bed to do what you do? I want you to know that I appreciate you, not just your work; I appreciate you as an individual, as a person serving your community, and for your decision to better yourself and expand your ideas. The question that I am asked often is why did I choose my profession? It is a question that is timeless, and on the surface, it seems simple...

Our recent conversation on the “Leader's Cafe” sparked a fascinating discussion about Generation Z and its impact on the workplace. Let’s delve deeper into this core topic, which radically reshapes the world of work and transforms organizational culture. I will explore the process of integrating Generation Z into the workforce and, subsequently, the significant role that Generation X can play as a...

As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, we need to emphasize its importance and significance in the context of the country's history and foundational principles of liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness. And support people and nations that are struggling for their own independence today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

The 30-60-90 day disaster recovery plan, influenced by antifragility principles, aims to ensure survival and growth from disasters. The first 30 days focus on restoring business services, jobs, and economic stability with the help of temporary facilities, alternative models, and immediate relief government policies. The next phase (days 30-60) emphasizes community recovery, including emotional, so...

Today I want to talk to you, yes, you. We need to explore one question. Take the time to ponder this for a second, close your eyes, and answer this simple question. Who holds you accountable? - not to your job or family obligations, but who holds you accountable to your goals? It may be a harder question to answer than you think. We all have friends and associates who we may talk with. However, wi...

AM radio has been a cornerstone of emergency communication, providing vital information during public emergencies and disasters. However, as electric vehicles gain popularity, major automobile manufacturers are gradually phasing out AM radio. Let’s delve deeper into the critical role of AM radio in emergency communication, explore the reasons behind car manufacturers' reluctance to include it in e...

In the face of evolving threats and a changing threat landscape, it is crucial to reevaluate and adapt disaster policy to ensure the resilience of our nation. While significant investments have been made in disaster preparedness and response over the last two decades, the role of the private sector still needs to be utilized. With nearly 85 percent of our critical infrastructure owned and operated...

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, distractions have become an ever-present obstacle to achieving meaningful and productive work. Cal Newman's book, "Deep Work," offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to help individuals break free from the shallow work cycle and enter a state of deep concentration. Individuals can tap into their full potential and enhance their productivi...

The Importance of Self-reflection in Emergency Management: A Thoreau and Sartrean Perspective I had a great conversation with a few of my colleagues about why we chose the field of emergency management. As the night went on, we discussed how we have seen "the great burnout" of emergency management professionals over the last few years.  Our profession is not the only one that is suffering. There h...

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 c...

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 North...

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 pl...