5 Minutes to Chaos – Details, episodes & analysis

Summary

In this episode, Steve Kuhr reflects on his experience during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and shares his thoughts on crisis management and communication. He discusses his journey from being in Orlando, Florida for a healthcare conference to making his way back to New York City to support the response efforts. Steve highlights the importance of effective communication and the challenges that still exist in crisis management today. He also expresses his gratitude to the individuals he worked with during the response and recovery efforts.

Contacts

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skuhr/

Summary

In this episode, Mike Willis and Debbie Blyth discuss a cyber attack on the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the crisis management response to it. The attack occurred in February 2018 and affected CDOT's systems, including HR, payroll, contractor payment, variable message signs, toll collection, and more. The attack was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure, which allowed the attackers to gain access to the CDOT domain. The response involved the collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard. The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and trust in crisis management. The establishment of a unified command and the use of incident management teams were key in coordinating the response. Nutrition and hydration were prioritized to ensure the well-being and performance of the response team. The joint information center played a crucial role in managing public and internal messaging. Emergency purchasing and tracking were supported by the Office of Emergency Management. Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for cybersecurity and crisis management teams to work together.

Takeaways

The cyber attack on CDOT was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure.

The attack affected various systems and operations within CDOT, causing significant disruption.

The response involved collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard.

The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. Collaboration and trust are foundational in crisis management.

Establishing a unified command and using incident management teams help coordinate the response.

Prioritizing nutrition and hydration improves the performance of the response team.

A joint information center is crucial for managing public and internal messaging.

Emergency purchasing and tracking are important for cost assessment and accountability.

Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for collaboration between cybersecurity and crisis management teams.

Contact Information

Debbi Blyth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-blyth/

Mike Willis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigadier-general-ret-michael-willis-a8b49a37/

Show Notes

Five Minutes to Chaos has reached its 52nd episode, marking a significant milestone in the success of the podcast. The podcast has featured a diverse range of guests and panel episodes, covering various crisis events and innovative approaches to crisis management. For this special episode, Steven Kuhr discusses the topic of heat emergencies, which he believes captures the essence of emergency management. Key elements of managing heat emergencies include interagency collaboration, communications, public information, and the establishment of cooling centers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Milestone

00:56 Conceptualizing the Podcast

03:21 Monologue Episode

04:14 Choosing the Topic: Heat Emergencies

08:08 History of Emergency Management in NYC

09:29 Heat Emergency in Chicago

11:25 Jerry Hauer and the Task Force

12:53 Interagency Collaboration

18:42 Reducing Heat Deaths

19:09 Monitoring and Intelligence

20:04 National Weather Service and Regional Calls

21:46 Emergency Operations Center

24:36 Communications and Public Information

27:27 Unity of Effort and Shared Situational Awareness

29:53 Cooling Centers and Transportation

32:17 Summary and Gratitude

About Steven Kuhr

Steven Kuhr has spent his career in Emergency Management, building a diverse portfolio of leadership positions across multiple sectors. Mr. Kuhr served as Director of Emergency Management, Enterprise Continuity, and Security Operations at Colorado Springs Utilities. While serving in this position, Mr. Kuhr oversaw crisis, risk, and resiliency operations for energy and water utilities, as well as dam operations for Colorado’s second largest city. During this time, Mr. Kuhr also served as a Director with InfraGard-Denver and co-founded the Colorado Critical Infrastructure Alliance.

Earlier, Mr. Kuhr served with the New York City Office of Emergency Management as a founding Deputy Commissioner where he led emergency operations and multi-risk emergency planning. Prior to that he served with the New York City Fire Department as EMS Deputy Chief and Special Operations Commander.

Mr. Kuhr is a trusted Crisis Management Leader. He has advised elected officials, CEOs and “C-Suite” Leaders during complex emergencies, major disasters, and terrorist attacks. Mr. Kuhr is also a respected consultant, having served as Managing Director and Emergency Management Practice Leader at Kroll Inc., and President and Chief Operating Officer at Strategic Emergency Group LLC.

Mr. Kuhr has advised a variety of organizations in several business industries and government sectors to include federal, state, and local government agencies, transportation (rail, aviation, seaport, and surface), financial, energy (electricity/natural gas), water/wastewater, dams, major league baseball, cable news, commercial properties, defense, justice, law enforcement, and an agency serving people with disabilities and special needs.

Mr. Kuhr Hosts “5 Minutes to Chaos – A Podcast”, a weekly podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, where he and guests explore the complexities of crisis management.

Mr. Kuhr holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security Management and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management Administration. He is a Colorado Certified Threat Liaison Officer and held a certification as an Advanced EMT-IV Paramedic.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skuhr/

Introduction

With over a decade of experience building organizational resilience, Jason distills complex strategies into clear, actionable plans that support people, culture, and business processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and confident navigation of any disruption. Jason also loves dogs.

Contact Info

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hoss/

Introduction

Chief Jorge A. Rodriguez is the Emergency Management Coordinator/Director for the El Paso Office of Emergency Management, with over 25 years of public safety, emergency management and homeland security experience. In a dual capacity, he also serves as an Assistant Fire Chief with the El Paso Fire Department with a program portfolio that includes special operations, aircraft rescue and firefighting, homeland security grants and the Office of Emergency Management.

He managed the response and recovery when El Paso was the center of multiple protracted back-to-back disasters: a domestic terrorism attack/mass shooting in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic when El Paso was the global epicenter, and the mass migration humanitarian crises of 2019, 2022 and 2023.

He holds both a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Leadership and a BA in Political Science with a focus on Intelligence and National Security from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is a graduate of Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Executive Education Program and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leaders Program. He is currently attending the FEMA Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship Program.

Chief Rodriguez is a member of multiple local, state and federal committees, advisory boards and task forces as well as a speaker at state and national conferences.

Contact Information

LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/yub4nhtp

Summary

Brittany Castillo, CEO of Ashbritt, discusses the company's role in post-disaster debris management and emergency management logistics. She highlights the importance of local hiring and economic recovery in disaster areas, as well as the humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Ashbritt. Brittany also emphasizes the challenges and complexity of contractor operations in the emergency management industry. She shares the story of Ashbritt's humble beginnings and the involvement of her family in the company. Additionally, Brittany discusses the Stronger Than The Storm nonprofit and its work in supporting children and families in disaster-affected communities.

Brittany discusses the importance of leadership and crisis management in emergency response. She shares examples of crisis management in Kentucky and Northern California, highlighting the need for adaptability and community-focused solutions and emphasizes the role of partnerships and on-the-ground operations in effective emergency management. She discusses the self-sufficiency and lean-in mentality of her organization, as well as the growing importance of public-private partnerships in the industry. Additionally, Brittany highlights the philanthropic efforts of AshBritt and the importance of supporting women in emergency management.

Takeaways

• Effective crisis management requires strong leadership and adaptability.
• Partnerships and collaboration are crucial in on-the-ground emergency response.
• Self-sufficiency and a lean-in mentality are key in emergency management operations.
• Public-private partnerships play an increasingly important role in emergency management.
• Supporting women in emergency management and philanthropic efforts are essential for a resilient community.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanypcastillo/

Introduction

Art Powers is the Senior Principal for Emergency Preparedness & Response at ExxonMobil. He is a past coordinator of the ExxonMobil Americas Regional Response Team and has worked in various leadership roles in ExxonMobil’s US Pipeline and Distribution operations over his 25 years with the company.

Art is an IAEM Certified Emergency Manager and obtained a Master of Science in Emergency Management in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation in 1993, both from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Over Art’s career, he has been part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, worked in shipping in New York Harbor, spent time as a petroleum inspector, and has moved around the US six times, living in Massachusetts twice, Buffalo NY, Chicagoland, and Northern Virginia, before ending up in Texas in 2014.

Art spends his time traveling for work or spending time in Mauritius with his wife. He has one son, two stepsons, and a stepdaughter.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-powers-cem-38549012/

Introduction Strategic advisor and global economic policy expert Michele Wucker coined the term “gray rhino” as a call to decision makers to improve how they respond to obvious, probable, impactful risks. She is founder of the Chicago-based advisory firm Gray Rhino & Company. A former media and think tank executive drawing on decades of experience in global finance and economics, she works at the nexus of policy, behavioral science, and business strategy. Her four books include the influential global bestseller, THE GRAY RHINO, and the sequel, YOU ARE WHAT YOU RISK. Digital links: website thegrayrhino.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/wucker/  

Introduction

Chris Tuttle is the Emergency Communications Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for Region 2, which includes the states and territories of New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2010, Chris has supported and promoted the nationwide improvement of emergency communications capabilities, while addressing the complex issues facing the emergency communications ecosystem. Chris continues to build trusted relationships, enhance collaboration, and stimulate the sharing of best practices and information between all levels of government, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and key non-government organizations.

Over the last twelve years, Chris has been involved with several national and regional level Emergency Support Function #2 activations, to include; Puerto Rico Earthquakes, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene, Super Bowl, Pope Francis Visit, and the annual General Assembly meetings of the United Nations in New York City.

Chris’ previous experience includes Hazardous Materials/Counter-Terrorism Program Manager at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and Manager of Emergency Operations in Public Safety Department at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Chris’ work at the PANYNJ focused on radio and wireless communications, specifically interoperable emergency communications within New York City, New York, and New Jersey.

In addition, Chris' experience includes a variety of crisis management and emergency response planning and training projects for corporate and public sector organizations throughout the United States.

Chris’ public safety experience includes 27 years as a volunteer firefighter (six years as Chief of Department, Maywood, NJ), continuing to work over the last ten years as a part time 9-1-1 dispatcher (City of Hackensack, NJ Fire Department), and emergency management coordinator for his home town. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Rhode Island.

Congressional Testimony on Infrastructure Threats, January 31, 2024 https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-notice-ccp-cyber-threat-american-homeland-and-national-security

Contact Information

Christopher.Tuttle@cisa.dhs.gov

Introduction

Tina Kuhr is an Emergency Management Leader in the Nuclear Industry with the following experience:

• Emergency Plan, Emergency Plan Program Procedure and Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure maintenance

• Emergency preparedness regulatory change process

• Drill and Exercise evaluation and critique report preparation

• Training Emergency Organization Members

Tina currently serves as the Emergency Preparedness Program Lead for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She supported the transition from event based to position based emergency response procedures, including preparing regulatory change justifications. She is currently converting procedures used by her site’s Fire/HAZMAT/EMT responders to our company’s standard format. She ensures that emergency response facilities are maintained in a state of readiness and coordinate training for the new Emergency Organization Members.

Prior to coming to GEH in 2019, she worked in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness at Duke Energy for ~25 years. There she developed and maintained fleet standard nuclear emergency response procedures and emergency preparedness program procedures for six nuclear stations and the corporate office, including preparing regulatory change justifications. Her accomplishments included:

• Reducing the number of nuclear emergency response procedures and emergency preparedness program procedures by 75% by implementing standard procedures across the company following a merger.

• Updating surveillance procedures for the common Emergency Operations Facility to include requirements for the three additional sites and performing those surveillances.

• Revising the standard emergency response procedures based on lessons learned from drills and exercises following implementation.

Before the merger she standardized nuclear emergency preparedness program procedures for the Duke Power fleet and maintained the procedures in the common EOF, incorporating drill and exercise lessons learned and industry best practices. Prior to that, she was the corporate EP “group,” responsible for projects of a generic nature such as bringing Oconee Nuclear Station into the common EOF, which required prior approval by the NRC Commissioners and moving the EOF from one building to another without prior NRC approval.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-kuhr-b6585930/