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April is Emergency Communications Month, and our friends at CISA are honoring the nation's emergency responders and communicators, emphasizing the importance of emergency communications and the need to work together in building resilient, critical infrastructure. In keeping with the month's theme of resilient together, on today's episode, we are talking about the CISA and FEMA partnership, and the steps partners can take towards resilience through highlighting key resources like GETS and WPS and other tools to help prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Voluntary agencies are typically some of the first organizations to respond and are often the last to leave a community, sometimes years after a disaster. The work of federal, state, and local governments is only part of the response and recovery puzzle. In fact, people showing up in times of need as volunteers are a critical piece to serving the needs of disaster survivors. In celebration of April being National Volunteer Month, this episode will focus on the transformative effect volunteers have on disaster response and recovery. The difference that they make in the lives of disaster survivors and the role they play in supporting FEMA's new individual assistance program reforms.

On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. This is no doubt one of nature's most awe inspiring events. The moon passes between the sun and the earth completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. And while the skies will be graced with this celestial spectacle, at the same time, millions will be captivated across the United States. The day will be filled with festivals and revelers who traveled from far and wide to view the total eclipse in the path of totality. So, on today's episode, we're diving deep into the science behind the phenomenon and general safety precautions with experts from NASA. But then we'll take it back to earth and explore the meticulous planning efforts undertaken by Ohio and Indiana Emergency Management, just two of the states - from Texas to Maine, that are getting ready for April 8th.

FEMA is on the verge of making some of the most significant updates to survivor assistance in the last 20 years. Experiencing a disaster and the loss and displacement that it can bring is often one of the most profound and impactful experiences survivors might ever go through in their life. Beginning on March 22nd, FEMA will implement sweeping changes to our Individual Assistance Program for new disaster declarations. Those changes will reach more individuals and deliver assistance faster. Just a few months into 2024 and at the beginning of our year of resilience, these updates will serve as a starting point for individuals and families who will have now more flexibility and access to our programs. From quickly providing assistance to people who become displaced to simplifying the application process, FEMA is empowering survivors and their communities so that they can rebuild their lives faster after a disaster. There are so many changes to unpack here, today. So, on this episode, we explore those individual assistance changes and how they could benefit disaster survivors speeding their recovery and helping to build resilience to future hazards.

Strengthening the emergency management workforce at the state, local, tribal, territorial, and national levels is crucial to building and maintaining a strong profession and keeping the public safe. This is such an important task that FEMA's administrator, Deanne Criswell, included strengthening the emergency management workforce in FEMA's latest strategic plan. One of the many training programs that FEMA supports is the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. This unique program is open to all state, local, tribal, and territorial employees with a nexus to homeland security and emergency management. So, on today's episode, host Troy Christensen, speaks with Heather Issvoran about the center and the different training programs that are offered.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated observance designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to human trafficking. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services theme for Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2024 is, "Activate connections to prevent human trafficking." This is an opportunity to build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work. Human trafficking cannot be prevented by any one individual community, organization or government, but building connections is at the heart of what emergency managers do. And to that end, we can be leaders in the effort of prevention. When we partner to prevent, we can enhance our efforts to keep everyone safe from human trafficking. So, on today's episode, we talk to leaders from within the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA about how we all within the public safety and emergency management communities can build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work.

Our friends at the U.S. Fire Administration recently had the opportunity to screen the new documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” with the film creators. Before the screening, the U.S. fire administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, sat down with one of the film’s participants, Margo Robbins, to get a better understanding of cultural fire and how the practice of cultural burning will lead to a healthier ecosystem, long-term fire protection for residents, and provide a platform that will support traditional hunting and gathering activities. The conversation was shared on the USFA podcast and now, we’re sharing the conversation with you.

In 2018, the Woolsey Fire consumed huge swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura County in California. The fire burned nearly a hundred thousand acres and destroyed thousands of structures. This was one of several fires in California at the same time. FEMA responds to disasters of all kinds - hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and others. But wildfires pose a variety of unique challenges. The speed and sheer destruction are nothing short of terrifying. Often, nothing is left in their wake. Survivor stories are often harrowing and heartbreaking, but even within the destruction, there are opportunities for hope and resilience. On this episode, we talk with journalist Adriana Cargill, founder of Wave Maker Media, about her podcast "Sandcastles" - a new podcast that dives into the gripping story of the Point Doom Bombers during the Woolsey Fires in California. The story is heartbreaking, thrilling, and inspirational. Over five episodes, Adriana beautifully tells the story of a community coming together amidst the devastation of the wildfires.

Our nation's, roads, waterways, hospitals, and utilities support the millions of activities that people conduct each day to transact business, travel, communicate with friends and family, maintain health and safety and more. They also include the venues where people gather to learn, worship, shop or find entertainment. In other words, the heart of our communities. These are all examples of our nation's critical infrastructure system. One of FEMA's sister agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is focused on protecting these systems. Its office for bombing prevention leads efforts to protect life and critical infrastructure from specific threats. They also work to prevent, protect against, respond to and mitigate, improvise explosive device incidents, or IEDs. FEMA works hand in hand with CISA to support our consequence management missions for all events. On this episode, we explore how the Office of Bombing Prevention is supporting our communities and emergency managers as they work to understand this threat landscape.

Disasters are devastating on multiple levels. Every year, our communities are affected by disasters which disrupt the mental health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. While the psychological effects of disasters on survivors and communities is well documented, the effects on responders can be dramatic. First responders, state and local officials, FEMA and other federal agencies work tirelessly in the aftermath of natural or manmade disasters to support survivors. This work often goes on for weeks, months, and sometimes years. For FEMA, supporting our employees' mental health is critical to creating a strong and resilient workforce. On this episode, we focus on the many ways we are supporting our employees through the stresses of our work as emergency managers.

FEMA has some tremendous programs to help firefighters and, in turn, assists with the safety and security of our communities around the country. We do this through our support to the fire community via the U.S. Fire Administration and the specialized training that occurs at the National Fire Academy. But, and the subject of today's episode, we also provide a tremendous amount of funding through FEMA's grants programs. So, on today's episode, we'll talk about the distinct fire grants programs that fund critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies, and support community resilience.

Emergency managers play a critical role in successfully navigating disaster response and recovery. But there's another player whose efforts are just as critical – and that’s local elected and appointed officials. As leaders in their communities, they make significant policy, resource, and communication decisions prior to, during, and after disasters. FEMA recently released the “Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guide: Roles and Resources in Emergency Management.” So, on this episode, we talk about the guide and how it can make it easier for these senior officials to understand, prepare for, and execute their leadership responsibilities.

Since the 1950s, the U.S. Army maintained stockpiles of chemical munitions that were produced as a way to deter the threat of chemical attacks from foreign adversaries. In 1985, under the direction of Congress, the Army began destroying the aging chemical weapons, while ensuring that the communities surrounding the eight stockpile sites across the country remain safe. Three years later, in 1988, an agreement was made between FEMA and the U.S. Army to establish the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, or CSEPP. CSEPP is a readiness program that is designed to enhance the emergency preparedness of the communities surrounding these stockpile sites, not only as it relates to the stockpile munitions, but also to any disaster. Today, stockpiles of chemical munitions remain at only two sites in the United States, and one of those sites is in Pueblo, Colorado. On today's episode, we'll learn more about Pueblo's annual CSEPP exercise - what goes into planning it and what it looks like as over 2000 local, state and federal partners come together to practice their plans in case an emergency were to occur at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.

Flooding is America's number one natural disaster affecting 99% of U.S. Counties since 1996. Just one inch of water can cause roughly $25,000 of damage to one's home, and most homeowners don't know their flood risk or what they have currently covered in the event of a flood. Even more concerning, rises in extreme weather have made flooding more and more prominent, and they're not only happening in flood zones. On today's episode, we sit down with David Maurstad from the National Flood Insurance Program to talk about misconceptions and how it's designed to help residents and business owners protect the life they've built with flood insurance.

A little over 10 years ago, congressional leaders responded to the growing need for water resources intelligence by having NOAA Build a National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The center is charged with developing and providing this new generation of water prediction services for the entire nation. These services help to inform essential emergency management and water resource decisions from all time scales, including flooding and drought, low flow risks and information for routine and long-range water management and planning. In this episode, we catch up with Whitney Flynn, FEMA's liaison to the National Water Center, to discuss why the partnership is so critical in helping communities deal with flooding events before, during, and after they occur.

For emergency managers across the country, the Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, can be home base. It's a place for deconflicting challenges, finding solutions and coordinating efforts to a host of emergencies facing their communities. For many, the EOC is also a physical location, but in recent years, jurisdictions are finding ways to make their EOCs virtual as well. To that end, in October 2022, FEMA released the EOC How to Quick Reference Guide, which is a collection of guidance and best practices that can contribute to developing an EOC that can successfully meet the jurisdiction's needs. So, on this episode, we go to FEMA's National Integration Center to learn more about the guide and how it can help communities increase EOC capabilities for evolving environments.

On this episode, we celebrate a great partner in emergency management. Joe Kelly, Director of Minnesota's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the last 11 years, will be retiring at the end of December. Like many who serve in emergency management, the last few years have brought many unique challenges. So, we explore how Minnesota worked through those challenges during Joe's tenure and, he offers some valuable and innovate lessons for the future leaders of emergency management. Hey, we also had some surprise guests during this recording - FEMA Regional Administrator Tom Sivak, Deputy Regional Administrator Mike Chesney and also Minnesota’s Public Information Officer, Amber Schindeldecker, all make some short appearances during the conversation.

In late October, FEMA released the National Continuous Improvement Guidance. The guidance provides an approach to conducting consistent and rigorous continuous improvement activities before, during, and after real world incidences. Emergency managers and other whole community partners can use this document to effectively strengthen their continuous improvement capabilities, regardless of the organization's level of experience or resources. In this episode, we're going to walk through that guidance and also some technical assistance that FEMA is working to provide throughout the nation.

As we kick off National Preparedness Month, we're discussing the new and improved FEMA mobile app and discussing how it can provide crucial information to keep communities informed before, during, and after disasters.

On this episode, we’re highlighting the State of Colorado and their successful partnership with voluntary organizations to set up a donations management and resource center following the Marshall Fire that burned over 6,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in late December 2021. The partnership is a shining example of how the public sector and voluntary organizations can come together to maximize assistance to those in need.

In 2012, FEMA created Wireless Emergency Alerts to send alert and warning messages through the agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. On today’s episode, we’ll talk about the countless ways Wireless Emergency Alerts have saved lives with Antwane Johnson, who has led the program since the beginning.

A successful disaster response depends of the partnership of the whole community, including the tremendous support of voluntary organizations and the faith community. On today’s episode, we explore how leveraging the many strengths of neighborhood partners can ensure success before, during, and after disasters.

On this episode, FEMA remembers Hurricane Agnes on the 50th Anniversary of the storm by looking back at the impacts to the Mid-Atlantic and looking ahead to predicting the future effects of hurricanes in the region. We discuss how Hurricane Agnes shaped the field of emergency management and the how emergency managers today are still using lessons that were learned from the storm.

On this episode, we sat down with two State Public Information Officers to discuss the importance of getting lifesaving information to the public during disasters. Greg Robinson, from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and Malary White, from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, highlight the challenges and successes they have seen during their careers as PIOs in the emergency management field.

We sit down with Acting Administrator Bob Fenton to discuss going through leadership transition within the agency and how it impacts FEMA’s mission.

On this episode we talk to two Oregon based breweries, one owned by a wildland firefighter and another family operated, about how they are helping wildfire recovery through their craft.

On this episode, we talk with Eric and Candice Page, Christmas tree farmers and residents of Marion County, Oregon, who are helping fellow Oregonians recover from the historic wildfires that burned throughout the state.

On this episode, we’ll talk to Stacy Lamb from Convoy of Hope & FEMA’s donations management lead Don Bonchack about what you should know to most effectively volunteer your time after a disaster or how to ensure your donation makes the greatest impact for those who need it the most.

For individuals affected by disasters, recovery can often be a daunting task. What people may not realize though is many times there are individuals who can walk you through that process, help you understand what your options might be and assist in finding resources to help you return to a new normally of life. On this episode, we'll talk to experts about disaster case management or recovery navigators who partner with survivors and provide much needed support to sort through the many facets of disaster recovery.

On this episode, FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor visits southern Oregon to view damage caused by historic wildfires that nearly destroyed small towns around the state, and we speak to a Disaster Survivor Assistance representative about her work with Spanish speaking survivors.

In commemoration of World Tsunami Awareness Day, we speak to a tsunami survivor on her experience, work in tsunami education, and on the importance of tsunami awareness.

In September, FEMA announced an application period for $660 million is hazard mitigation grant funding for states, local communities, tribes and territories to be used on projects that will reduce future disaster losses and strengthen the nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. On this episode we speak to two individuals leading the team within FEMA to offer the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant and discuss what the future holds for communities committed to reducing future disaster recovery costs.

Earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time. And because an earthquake is considered a no notice incident—one that occurs unexpectedly or with minimal warning—it is even more important that everyone be prepared for what to do when one occurs. This year’s International ShakeOut Day will be held on October 15 when everyone is encouraged to practice the Drop, Cover, and Hold On response to an earthquake. On this episode, we discuss earthquake preparedness and what to expect during this year’s Shakeout.

Perhaps FEMA’s closest partner in providing federal disaster recovery assistance is the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBA. When a federal disaster is declared, the SBA is authorized to offer low interest loans to businesses of all sizes and to individual homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations that have sustained damage in a disaster. On this episode, we sit down with the SBA to learn more about their programs, some misconceptions about disaster assistance and how the SBA and FEMA are working together every day to help Americans recover from disasters around the country.

On this episode, we visit the University of Oregon campus to talk to members of a network that is dedicated to improving disaster preparedness in higher education. Featured speakers include Andre Le Duc, Chief Resilience Officer and Associate Vice President of Safety and Risk Services at University of Oregon, Amy Rasmussen, Emergency Manager and Business Continuity Manager at Pacific University, and Steve Charvat, Emergency Management Director at University of Washington.

September is National Preparedness Month. While 2020 may feel different for many Americans, one thing remains the same – disasters can and will happen. In this episode, we sit down with Paul Huang from the National Flood Insurance Program to discuss how purchasing flood insurance is one easy way homeowners and renters can prepare for future disasters.

Hurricane Laura made landfall last week in Louisiana and areas of Eastern Texas as a powerful category 4 storm. Causing widespread damage and destructions throughout the area. We check in with David Bibo, Associated Administrator for Response and Recovery about what disaster survivors can expect from FEMA as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and how the agency has been planning for storms just like Hurricane Laura since March.

For the past 5 years, in July, volunteers from around the country travel to FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. to celebrate Partnership Day. This year, like many celebrations and gatherings around the country, Partnership Day is a virtual – and longer – a month-long celebration. On this episode we speak with Greg Forrester, President and CEO at National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Geoff Plague from Feeding America, and Chris Smith from FEMA Individual Assistance Program about how collaborative work in disaster response and recovery is making a difference in the lives of disaster survivors ever day.

FEMA’s website (FEMA.gov) went through a major redesign. This is a critical step towards making our programs more accessible. On this week's podcast, we join FEMA's Office of External Affairs to talk about how the redesign will support FEMA's partners and disaster survivors.

It was 40 years ago today that Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted. Ash and steam poured out and avalanches of snow and ice thundered down the mountain's sides for two months, and then on May 18, 1980 the volcano blew its top. Fifty-seven people were killed, many others injured, and many buildings were destroyed. The huge blast of rock, ash and hot gases devastated an area about 230 square miles. Similar to our experiences of quarantining at home during the coronavirus pandemic, residents in many states also were confined to their homes. If they ventured outside, they would wear masks to protect themselves from the ash. This went on for several weeks. In this episode, FEMA speaks with current and former FEMA staff who experienced the eruption and subsequent ash that blew east into Spokane and Montana where our speakers lived. Chris Jonientz-Trisler, Volcanologist and retired-FEMA Division Director; Jay LaPlante, Region 10 Tribal Liaison; and Elaine Ike, former FEMA Community Relations Specialist, share their unique experiences.

On today’s episode, we celebrate AmeriCorps Week by highlighting one of our very own FEMA Corps teams. We sit down to discuss what the FEMA Corps program is all about and we talk about their important role in helping communities recovering from disasters.

On this episode we talk with Mark Carey, who recently retired after 20 years of service with FEMA. Since 2007 he served as the FEMA Region 10 Mitigation Division Director where he was responsible for the region’s hazard mitigation financial grant program, National Flood Insurance Program, Endangered Species Act compliance, Risk Analysis and Risk Reduction programs. Mark talks with us about the principles of hazard mitigation and how support for mitigation has evolved over time. He also shares his own experience and insight as a disaster survivor.

On this episode we have the unique opportunity to talk with Evan Schumann, who is a program manager for Ohio Task Force One, one of the 28 teams in the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue system, about how these teams support disaster response operations in their home communities as well as around the nation.

On this episode we talk with Antwane Johnson, director of FEMA's integrated public alert and warning program about this incredible capability and how these upgrades serve an important role in our nation's public safety and national security communications infrastructure.

On this episode, we take a tour of the FEMA Distribution Center located in Frederick, Maryland and dive into all aspects of the on-hand commodity mission, which stands always at the ready for when disaster survivors and communities need us most.

On this episode we sat down with FEMA’s Administrator, Pete Gaynor to talk about how Pub 1 and these core values form the foundation of who we are, what we believe, and who we want to be.

On this episode we sit down with National IMAT lead, Tito Hernandez and Regional IMAT lead, Keith Denning, to dive into the unique nature of these Incident Management Assistance Teams from both the National and Regional perspective.

On this episode we sit down with Trotwood Mayor, Mary McDonald, as well as Trotwood City Manager Quincy Pope and look back to how this community came together in the immediate aftermath to respond to and recovery from these extensive storms.

On this episode, Minh Phan sits down with Mark Peterson, a familiar voice on the FEMA Podcast and FEMA Region V’s External Affairs Director. We’re going to take a step back and talk about the FEMA Podcast, what we’ve done so far, what we’re working on now, and where we hope to go.

During the holiday season, where we often offer gifts of appreciation to friends and family, we take the non-traditional approach of learning what preparedness-oriented items would make great gifts for friends or family members.