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.
The Double-edged Sword of Sacrifice
Dec 21, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Host John Scardena shares personal insights into 2024, providing the reminder of the importance of sacrifice through this one key element to ensure success: never allow a short term win for long term loss. -------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Director John Scrivani, Office of Safety, Security & Emergency Management | Virginia Department of Transportation
Dec 10, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Good leaders usually allow do so alongside or from behind. John Scrivani knows this well and has been putting this principle into practice for over three decades of service in law enforcement and Emergency Management. Director Scrivani's career started with the NYPD, and eventually landed with the New York City Medical Examiner's Office and later the NYC Office of Emergency Management. He then worked for two different NYC Mayors, coordinating operations for the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Super Storm Sandy, and other major incidents. Scrivani then moved to leadership positions in the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Today, he continues those duties as the Director of the Office of Safety, Security & Emergency Management Virginia Department of Transportation along with being a subject matter expert on the operational effectiveness of the Combating Terrorism Technical Support & Technical Support Working Group for the US Department of Defense. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Director Scrivani shares among other things, his experiences of being on the frontlines of some of the most devastating disasters of the past few decades, and how law enforcement and Emergency Managers can work more effectively together. -------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Author & OEM Director Lori Hodges | Larimer County, Colorado
Dec 03, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Thinking ahead, talking through difficult situations, understanding you don't have all the answers, and working well with those who do, are all attributes of high-functioning emergency managers and response professionals. As a former paramedic, and current Director of Emergency Management in Larimer County, Colorado, Lori Hodges knows this well. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Lori talks about her experience dealing with cascading impacts, transitioning between crisis mode and routine mode, and consequence management. Lori is also an author whose book, Shaking In The Forest: Finding Light in the Darkness, explains how to deal with the trauma that is certain to come when dealing with major emergencies. Buy her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Shaking-Forest-Finding-Light-Darkness/dp/B0D2M115FX -------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Tim Page-Bottorf MS, CSP, CIT | Safety, Health & Environmental Expert
Nov 27, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- At this time of year, when we express gratitude and give thanks for the good things in our lives, The Readiness Lab does the same. We are grateful for the chance to hear this week from Safety, Health, and environmental expert Tim Page-Bottorf. Tim's influence in that space is widespread as a safety, health, and environmental expert. He is also a keynote speaker, author of three books, an adjunct instructor at two universities, and served for over two decades as the Director At-Large of the American Society of Safety Professionals. His voice can also be heard online as the host of the “Storytelling in Safety Podcast” where safety and response professionals share stories from the field and lessons learned from successes and failures. Before his work as a safety, health, and environmental expert, Tim served in the Marine Corps where he escorted fire responders to safely respond to the Kuwaiti Oil Fires during Operation Desert Storm. In this episode, Tim expresses gratitude for the good and bad experiences he has had on the frontlines of safety and emergency response, and the lessons he has learned. Also, don’t skip the first few minutes of the podcast as Tim and host John Scardena quickly bond over their love of Star Wars and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Listen to Tim's podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/storytelling-in-safety/id1505112163 -------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Jeremy R. Urekew, WP-C, TP-C, HTM | Hoist Rescue Paramedic | Emergency Manager
Nov 18, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- Frontline experience, training, and subject matter expert analysis. These elements are vital in effective Emergency Management and response, and this week's guest in the Disaster Tough Podcast does them all. Jeremy R. Urekew is a Hoist Rescue Paramedic and Emergency Manager and a subject matter expert (SME) in weapons of mass destruction. In this episode, he and host John Scardena discuss the importance of interagency coordination and collaboration. They also dive into the world of finance regarding funding Emergency Management and response efforts at various agencies. They also discuss the myth that certification equals qualification, and how those two terms should actually be reversed for more effective response and functionality. ------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Author & Former Green Beret Herb Thompson | Principal Program Manager of Veterans Services at ServiceNow
Nov 12, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- It's no secret the transition from military service to civilian life can be difficult. As a veteran of the US Army, Herb Thompson knows this well. Herb joined the military at the age of 17 eventually working his way up to the role of Drill Sergeant and a Green Beret. His efforts were recognized on a national level in 2008 when Herb was named the Army's Drill Sergeant of the Year. After more than 20 years in the military, Herb retired from active military service and found himself facing the difficult transition that plagues so many veterans every day. In this week's special Veterans Day episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Herb talks about this transition, and how it inspired him to author the best-selling and award-winning book, The Transition Mission: A Green Beret’s Approach to Transition from Military Service to Life as a Civilian. He also talks about what he is doing professionally to put his words into practice by helping other veterans with their transition through his work with ServiceNow. ------------- Buy Herb's book here: https://herb-thompson.com/buy ------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Emergency Manager Ashley Ahlquist | Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management
Nov 05, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- When describing your county's Emergency Management communication strategy, the last thing you want is for it to be defined as "...weighed, ...measured, and...found wanting." Emergency Manager Ashley Ahlquist from Yavapai County, Arizona knows this well and has applied it to the county's social media and messaging efforts. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Ashley discusses how those in charge of EM communications need to always be looking ten steps ahead, and embracing modern messaging methods to relate to their audience, AKA County residents. She also shares how her county is preparing for this Election Day, and how she is hoping it will be more "boring" than the leadup has been. Check out Ashley's social media efforts in Yavapai County here: www.facebook.com/YavapaiOEM www.instagram.com/YavapaiOEM www.x.com/YavapaiOEM www.youtube.com/@YavapaiOEM yavapaiready.gov ------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Read the Forbes.com article about leadership here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/06/23/the-value-of-a-global-perspective-leadership-lessons-from-working-across-the-world/ Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Emergency Manager & City Councilmember Brenden Winder | Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Oct 29, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost theSignal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- According to a 2017 article in Forbes magazine, "A global perspective makes for better leaders." This episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast explores that concept in Emergency Management and Response as we hear from Brenden Winder from New Zealand. Brenden is a City Councilmember and Emergency Management leader based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. He brings two decades of experience to Emergency Management and leadership, specializing in earthquake readiness and response. However, his expertise extends beyond earthquakes and disasters common to New Zealand. This is reflected in this week's conversation, as he and John Scardena discuss the recent hurricanes in the southern United States. Contact Brenden at: brenden.winder@https://ccc.govt.nz/ ------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Read the Forbes.com article about leadership here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/06/23/the-value-of-a-global-perspective-leadership-lessons-from-working-across-the-world/ Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Meteorologist John Honoré | Texas Division of Emergency Management
Oct 22, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the Signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- "Don't mess with Texas" has been a popular slogan since 1985, yet, Mother Nature doesn't seem to listen as the Lone Star State frequently experiences hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, hailstorms, and windstorms. Meteorologist John Honoré knows this well. He has been tracking weather in Texas since 1996, first as a television weather forecaster and now as a meteorologist with the Texas Division of Emergency Management. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, John discusses how he collaborates with many different agencies to make sure Texans are ready for whatever major weather event comes their way. As Florida and the Carolinas continue their recovery efforts from recent hurricanes, John also reflects on major storms he has forecasted and helped respond to in Texas, namely Hurricane Harvey in 2017. ------------- *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
Col. Kim "KC" Campbell (Ret.) | USAF Fighter Pilot | Author & Keynote Speaker
Oct 15, 2024
Show notes
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the Signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- An iconic line from the award-winning drama, “The West Wing” perfectly describes this week’s guest on the Disaster Tough Podcast. “This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.” As a retired Colonel in the US Air Force, Kim “KC” Campbell flew 1,800+ hours and 100+ combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan during 24 years of service as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Her efforts earned her the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism in 2003 after recovering her battle-damaged A-10 Warthog aircraft during an intense support mission. Since retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Campbell has focused on family life and helping build future leaders as an author and keynote speaker. Her best-selling book, "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage" shares vital lessons for organizations about leadership and decision-making. In this episode, she shares some of the insights from the book along with other leadership and service lessons learned during her time in the military and beyond. Colonel Campbell’s book can be found online at https://kim-kc-campbell.com/book/ and other websites and stores where books are sold. ------------------ *Major Endorsements: L3Harris's BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Emergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop): Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamic Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com
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