The FCCMA Podcast

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Episode #223: Michael Dammer – Emerging Technology and the Future of Energy at Lakeland Electric Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Michael Dammer, Manager of Emerging Technology at Lakeland Electric, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his role evaluating new technologies that fall outside traditional utility operations. Mike shares details on two current projects: a solar field partnership with Williams Company set to provide 12% of Lakeland Electric's portfolio, and a pilot with American Independent Power using thermal solar and liquid nitrogen technology for power generation.

The conversation covers how falling costs and stable pricing through public-private partnerships have made solar increasingly viable, and how data analytics from smart meters are improving voltage regulation and predictive maintenance. Mike and Steve also tackle the growing demand for data centers, with Mike explainingthat while large-scale facilities present real infrastructure challenges, smaller ones could be absorbed within Lakeland Electric's current capacity.

Episode #222: Chuck Anderson – Storm Recovery, Water Crises, and Leading Through Back-to-Back Emergencies Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Chuck Anderson, City Manager of Apalachicola and formerly City Manager of Treasure Island, joins host Steve Vancore as part of the podcast's emergency management series. Chuck stepped into the Treasure Island role on August 1st, 2024, and almost immediately faced three major storms in the span of roughly three months. His takeaway is straightforward: there is no such thing as being overprepared when it comes to storms.

Chuck walks through the complexities of storm debris recovery, including how to communicate effectively with residents while staying FEMA compliant, a process with strict rules that determine whether a community gets reimbursed. He also discusses his current role in Apalachicola, where he has been navigating a water crisis stemming from both aerator and well failures, and the importance of coordinating with Franklin County and local law enforcement during emergencies. The conversation closes with a look at points of distribution, where residents can access essentials like tarps, food, ice, and batteries, and the responsibility cities have to care for those who couldn't evacuate.

Episode #222: Chuck Anderson – Storm Recovery, Water Crises, and Leading Through Back-to-Back Emergencies Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Chuck Anderson, City Manager of Apalachicola and formerlyCity Manager of Treasure Island, joins host Steve Vancore as part of the podcast's emergency management series. Chuck stepped into the Treasure Island role on August 1st, 2024, and almost immediately faced three major storms in the span of roughly three months. His takeaway is straightforward: there is no such thing as being overprepared when it comes to storms.

Chuck walks through the complexities of storm debrisrecovery, including how to communicate effectively with residents while staying FEMA compliant, a process with strict rules that determine whether a community gets reimbursed. He also discusses his current role in Apalachicola, where hehas been navigating a water crisis stemming from both aerator and well failures, and the importance of coordinating with Franklin County and local law enforcement during emergencies. The conversation closes with a look at points of distribution, where residents can access essentials like tarps, food, ice,and batteries, and the responsibility cities have to care for those who couldn't evacuate.

Episode #221: Zerry Ihekwaba & Jaime Hernandez – Raising the Bar on Emergency Preparedness in Homestead Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Zerry Ihekwaba, City Manager of Homestead, and Jaime Hernandez, Emergency Manager, join host Steve Vancore to share how Homestead dramatically improved its Florida FROC scores, which measure readiness in debris removal and emergency protective measures, climbing from the high 30s to 51 in both categories.

They break down the city's debris management strategy, including pre-identified debris sites, zone-based vendor assignments, and detailed operational plans withmonitoring protocols. The conversation also covers the case for competitive procurement rather than piggybacking on other contracts, best practices for protecting infrastructure, practical evacuation guidance, and Homestead's plans for a new joint operations center to better serve Monroe County and surrounding municipalities.

Episode #221: Zerry Ihekwaba & Jaime Hernandez – Raising the Bar on Emergency Preparedness in Homestead Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Zerry Ihekwaba, City Manager of Homestead, and Jaime Hernandez, Emergency Manager, join host Steve Vancore to share how Homestead dramatically improved itsFlorida FROC scores, which measure readiness in debris removal and emergency protective measures, climbing from the high 30s to 51 in both categories.

Episode #220: CK Moore – Emergency Preparedness, Lessons Learned, and 30 Years of Crisis Response Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Commander CKMoore, Planning Section Chief of Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management, joins host Steve Vancore to share hard-won insights from a career spanning 27 years in the Coast Guard and three years with Hillsborough County. CK walks through what makes tabletop exercises truly effective, emphasizing the importance of bringing the right stakeholders together and using realistic scenarios that genuinely test emergency plans.

The conversation covers Hillsborough County's experience with Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, and how each storm exposed new challenges that drove improvements. CK also discusses technological innovations, including roboticdrain inspection systems and strategies for balancing emergency response with routine maintenance.

Episode #219: Dana Souza – Storm Preparation and Lessons from Hurricane Ian Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Dana Souza, City Manager ofSanibel, joins host Steve Vancore to walk through the critical steps cities must take before a storm makes landfall. Having started as city manager in September 2021, Dana led the city through the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and he draws on that experience to share practical advice on storm preparedness.

Dana describes the tabletop exercises and community workshops his city conducts each year, bringingtogether staff, meteorologists, and county EOC specialists to help residents and property owners understand how their own preparation can meaningfully reduce a storm's impact. It's a candid conversation about readiness, resilience, andwhat it takes to protect a vulnerable coastal community.

Re-Release Episode #182: Audra Curts – Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery in Small Cities May 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts shares her deep experience in hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery, with a special focus on the unique challenges small cities face. Audra reflects on being hit by Hurricane Helene just two days into the job, followed by Hurricane Milton a week later, and the flooding of City Hall from Hurricane Idalia before her arrival.

Audra draws from her past roles in city and school district leadership, including her time as CFO for Polk County schools during the 2004 hurricanes. She explains how storm recovery often requires cities to front costs long before FEMA or insurance funds arrive, making financial reserves and intergovernmental cooperation essential.

From managing recovery for over 160 school sites to navigating citywide disaster impacts, Audra encourages proactive planning, strong departmental coordination, and the importance of having flexible funding options ready. Her insights offer a valuable blueprint for local governments preparing for and responding to major storms.

Re-Release Episode #158: Suzanne Sherman – A Lesson on Ethics May 14, 2026

Show notes

Suzanne Sherman, the City Manager of Palm Bay, discusses the complexities of ethical decision-making in local government. As Palm Bay has rapidly grown to nearly 100 square miles with a population increase from 20,000 to 140,000 in just 20 years, Suzanne has focused on restoring public trust following past ethics violations and investigations. She emphasizes the importance of continuous ethics training, attending sessions twice a year to stay sharp and aware of the nuances in ethical dilemmas. Suzanne highlights that many decisions in government require careful, deliberative thinking, and consideration of the impact on all parties involved.

Episode #218: Mike Carballa – People, Purpose, and Performance in Pasco County May 07, 2026

Show notes

Mike Carballa, County Administrator of Pasco County, joins host Steve Vancore to share the leadership philosophy driving his tenure. Mike walks through his "people, purpose, and performance" framework — prioritizing employees, connecting them to the organization's mission of serving the community to create a better future, and empowering staff with autonomy and support. He details how this approach shifted Pasco County away from a command-and-control culture, lifting employee engagement scores from 30% to over 50%.

Mike and Steve also cover the county's hurricane response, including innovative debris removal strategies and managing expectations with elected officials during emergencies. The conversation closes with a look at Pasco County's expansive park system and environmental preservation efforts, and why community-focused initiatives tend to earn strong voter support.

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