The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency Management, from which this is being recorded. Our guests are also field experts who provide their insights in our conversation based podcast. Discussions with emergency managers revolve around the entire disaster life-cycle. We provide solutions based on training and backed by data. We share experiences of emergency response and identify the lessons learned through our own version of after action reporting. This is conversation mode activated. We are known for flipping from serious to humor without warning. Try to keep up in our weekly podcasts! About Doberman Emergency Management. We provide customized plans, mitigates hazards, delivers training, and supplies emergency products to meet the unique needs of clients. We identify and solve the Nation’s most complex incidents. That’s our job.
Emerging Technology in Emergency Management & Response - Interview with EM Weekly Host, Zack Borst
May 10, 2023
Show notes
Albert Einstein once said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” This principle has been put to the test in the era of seemingly constant updates in technology. While many are slow to accept and implement said changes, others are quick to adapt. The same is true in the world of Emergency Management and Response. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes back the host of the EM Weekly Podcast, Zack Borst to dive into the exciting changes in technology happening in the field and what the outlook is for such innovations going forward. As Emergency Management experts with multiple years of experience in the field, both Zack and John have seen the practical benefits that innovations in technology can offer. In this episode, they share success stories of tech implementation in the field, and the struggle they and other Emergency Managers over the years have faced in getting other innovations approved and off the ground. For more detailed information about each of these topics, check out: https://www.dobermanemg.com/school-safety-program L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network For sponsorship requests: contact@thereadinesslab.com or visit our website: www.thereadinesslab.com
How To Create A Success School Safety Program: Tasks, Organization, Approach
May 03, 2023
Show notes
John Scardena, Host, just returned from the University of California - Irvine. He and his team at Doberman Emergency Management support school safety programs around the county. In order to foster best practice and idea generation for you, the emergency managers, he shares how to ehance readiness by discussing the tasks, organizaiton, and approach need to protect life, property, and continuity of operations in K-12 Schools and Universities. For more detailed information about each of these topics, check out: https://www.dobermanemg.com/school-safety-program L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network For sponsorship requests: contact@thereadinesslab.com or visit our website: www.thereadinesslab.com
The 3 Underutilized Tips in Communications (That Will Improve Your Life in EM)
May 03, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Miscalculations in mass messaging / mass notifications communications in Florida due to an erroneous 4am test emergency alert caused more problems for public relations between emergency management and the general public. To make matters worse, instead of owning the issue, the blame game spun up between public and private entities about what happened. This podcast episode dives deep into three tips to help avoid the mistakes of accidental 4am test alerts and exercise alerts all the way through creating success in communications during a real disaster. John Scardena, host, pulls out three underutilized tips in communications that will drastically help your career as an emergency manager. These tips include strategic thinking, creativity, and attention to detail. Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network For sponsorship requests: contact@thereadinesslab.com or visit our website: www.thereadinesslab.com
Atmospheric River Incidents at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
Apr 14, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links A philosopher once said, "Those who have knowledge don't predict." This principle of readiness could be applied to the exercise that happened on the campus of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in 2022. At that time, the Emergency Management Department held a training exercise to emphasize readiness for a potential atmospheric river event. A few months later, the campus experienced a serious atmospheric river event which caused major flooding on and around the campus, destroying property and causing millions of dollars in damage. Emergency Services and Business Continuity Manager, Megan Harrington was a part of both events, helping organize the training, and also working hard to coordinate the response to the real-life event a few months later. She shares her experiences on this week's episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast. She also talks about how the university was able to be ready for such an event, and as such, respond more effectively. Megan also attended the Readiness Lab's Emergency Management Response for Dynamic Populations course last year in Atlanta. In this episode, she also talks about the lessons learned there and how they are being applied at Cal Poly to make the campus, and San Luis Obispo in general, a safer place. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
Innovation in Active Shooter Mitigation (EM & Physical Security Assessments)
Apr 04, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links It was once said that the best time to fix the roof is when the sun is still shining. - President Kennedy John led a group of subject matter experts from Doberman Emergency Management, FuturityIT, and Nuharbor Security to look at physical security and cybersecurity access at the Univeristy of California - Irvine. This, "Wolf Pack," in concert with UCI Emergency Management and UCI Police innovated the hazard vulnerability asssement process through application developement, penetration testing, and on site surveys with recommendations. This is the combination of innovation and best practice. Innovation is worth the potential push back from those who are unwilling to improve. They are a distraction... keep learning, keep improving. That is the point of being disaster tough. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
You Need A "Branding Operations Plan" Interview with Noble Creative Collective Co. Founders
Mar 31, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links It was once said that, "Design is what makes the world beautiful. It is what makes the world understood." - Author Unknown Landon and CJ are the co founders of Noble Creative Collective co. They are experts in the field of graphic design and are the "go-to" for all things related to The Readiness Lab. In this episode we talk about the need for brand standards and consistency, and how that will impact your ability to communicate with the public and stakeholders. The Readiness Lab has thrown out the trash of past EM related logos. We offer a new "icon" a symbol that simply explains who we are and what our purpose is. We work around the clock. We collaborate and support. We communicate and organize. We are emergency managers - unlike anyone one else in emergency services, yet can jump into any sphere of influence to move the needle forward. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
Everything You Need To Know About Press Briefs - Interview with Prescott Nadeau
Mar 21, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Drawing in the Media with Valuable Information “Be brief, be brilliant, be gone.” This quote has been attributed to a handful of famous public speakers in history including the likes of Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. No matter who first introduced the principle, the lesson it teaches still applies to the work of news briefings and getting vital and accurate information out to the media in times of crisis and disaster. Longtime Public Information Officer, Prescott Nadeau returns to the Disaster Tough Podcast and in this episode, explains how he applies this art to his everyday work in media relations. Prescott has been the PIO for the Williston Fire Department in Vermont for the past decade. This is his second appearance on the Disaster Tough Podcast. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
Interview with Mark “Whit” Whittington
Mar 14, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Picking Up the “Slack” in EM Communications A philosopher once said made the case for the importance of experience when he said, “Life can only be understood backward, but must be lived forwards.” In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, guest Mark “Whit” Whittington shares how his multiple decades of experience with the biggest technology companies in the country has led him to be on the cutting edge of emergency communications. “Whit” is the Public Sector Vice President at Slack, North America. In that capacity, he has helped guide Slack to the forefront of emergency communications. One such step in that direction includes the recent agreement between Slack and the National Weather Service to create NWSChat 2.0. Before joining Slack, “Whit” worked in upper management at some of the largest and most successful tech companies including among others, Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon. In this episode, “Whit” explains his gratitude for having a “ringside seat” to see how tech companies such as Slack can play a major role in disaster and emergency response. He has seen it firsthand over the years in situations such as “Digital Dunkirk” and the 2022 Kentucky Floods. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Instinct Ready Everyday Readiness Kits. Learn more about Instinct Ready's incredible line of readiness products at: www.instinctready.com Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
Police Need Emergency Managers - Interview with Corporal Haley Evans
Mar 07, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Corporal Haley Evans of the Bella Vista Police Department in Arkansas has been putting this idea into practice since attending the Emergency Management Response for Dynamic Populations Course (DyPop) last year. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Haley goes into more specifics about what she learned and how she is applying it in her work in law enforcement. Besides her six years of experience as a police officer, Haley also has a Masters Degree in Emergency Management. In her time in law enforcement, she has seen how proper coordination among police, Emergency Managers, and other first responders makes the overall response efforts more effective. In this episode, she discusses the importance of all parties stepping back and working together. She also emphasizes how vital it is that the community is aware of what response efforts may look like to disasters and emergency situations. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App.Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Instinct Ready Everyday Readiness Kits. Learn more about Instinct Ready's incredible line of readiness products at: www.instinctready.com Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
Interview with Eric Helpenstell
Feb 28, 2023
Show notes
Support our podcast, click here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links On February 3, 2023, 38 cars from a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio near the border with Pennsylvania. Several of the derailed cars burst into flames, releasing the hazardous chemicals such as hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air. More chemicals were released due to controlled burns. Residents within a 1-mile radius were evacuated, and the emergency response has been handled by agencies from three different states including Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Eric Helpenstell of Praetorian reacts to the disaster the response efforts from local response agencies and the Federal Government. Eric is an expert in the field of fire response, particularly Hazmat situations. Together with host, John Scardena, these two Emergency Management professionals and experts break down what exactly happened in this disaster, positive and negative lessons learned from the response efforts that can be applied to future incidents, and compare this incident to others he has seen in his multiple decades of experience in fire and Hazmat response. Major Endorsements: L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App.Learn more about this amazing product here: www.L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. Instinct Ready Everyday Readiness Kits. Learn more about Instinct Ready's incredible line of readiness products at: www.instinctready.com Doberman Emergency Management provides subject matter experts in planning and training. Learn more here: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network: Disaster Tough Podcast is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network
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