Explore every episode of the podcast The Disasterfield Show

Veteran fire captain and tech evangelist AJ Johansson joins Cole and Newt on The DisasterField Show to talk about the evolution of emergency response, from paper maps and radios to the evolution of the TAK platform, drones, and next-gen situational awareness tools. Drawing from three decades on the fireline, AJ breaks down where communication fails, how technology can prevent tragedy, and why the future of disaster management depends on interoperability, data, and a new generation of responders ready to embrace innovation

In this thought-provoking episode, management pioneer Dean Monterey shares is knowledge on how Canada’s Incident Command System (ICS) is evolving — and why the future of crisis response depends on rethinking old models.

From wildfires and floods to the growing complexity of multi-agency coordination, Dean shares hard-earned lessons from the field and a vision for an “incident coordination system” that integrates human experience, technology, and collaboration. The conversation dives into:

• How ICS came to Canada — and why it must evolve
• The balance between structured command and human adaptability
• The role of AI and data in decision-making during emergencies
• Lessons from the past that point toward a smarter, more connected future

This episode isn’t just about managing disasters — it’s about building a culture that learns, adapts, and leads better together.

In this conversation, Matt Wallace, the executive director of the International Disaster Response Network (IDRN), shares his extensive experience in disaster response and the importance of local networks. He discusses the evolution of IDRN, the significance of community resilience, and the challenges faced in North American disaster response. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication, training for high-stress environments, and the vision for IDRN to connect individuals and organizations in disaster management

Cole and Newt dig into the hard part of modernization: adoption. They unpack why promising tools stall—siloed training, clunky handoffs, and process friction—and map out how to make technology actually useful in the chaos of real incidents. From interoperability and comms to standards, procurement, and fieldcraft, this episode turns buzzwords into a practical checklist for public safety and emergency managers who need systems that work when it counts.

Disaster preparedness, Emergency readiness, Survival strategies, Crisis response, Natural disasters, Emergency management, Resilience planning, Safety tips, Earthquake preparedness, Hurricane readiness, Wildfire safety, Flood survival, Tornado response, Pandemic preparedness, Climate-related disasters, Power outage survival

Cole and Newt go deep on “The Big One” referring to the catastrophic earthquake that will shake the west coast of North America. The realities are glaring and the only way to prepare is to talk about what is being done to augment strategies, solutions and plans.

Cole and Newt sit down with Shawn Tronson, Emergency Management Coordinator for Splatsin in Enderby, BC—Canada’s first Indigenous community to join the Disasterfield Network. Shawn shares on-the-ground experiences, what’s working in community preparedness, and the gaps that technology and training must close. The conversation covers trust, sovereignty, and data-sharing, and why Splatsin chose to connect its people, partners, and outside agencies through a common operating picture.

Disaster preparedness, Emergency readiness, Survival strategies, Crisis response, Natural disasters, Emergency management, Resilience planning, Safety tips, Earthquake preparedness, Hurricane readiness, Wildfire safety, Flood survival, Tornado response, Pandemic preparedness, Climate-related disasters, Power outage survival

Host Cole Fouillard (founder of VEXSL, delivering the Disasterfield Global Multi-User Coordination System), co-host Steve “Newt” Newton (40+ years in emergency management and wildfire operations), and special co-host Talia Rose (commercial insurance broker) kick off the series with where they came from, why they stayed in the fight, and what “readiness” actually looks like across industry, public safety, and communities. They trade field stories, compare perspectives from the disaster line to the boardroom, and frame the mission of The Disasterfield Show: real stories, followed by ruthless Disasterfield After Action Reviews that turn lessons learned into actionable results.

Disaster preparedness, Emergency readiness, Survival strategies, Crisis response, Natural disasters, Emergency management, Resilience planning, Safety tips, Earthquake preparedness, Hurricane readiness, Wildfire safety, Flood survival, Tornado response, Pandemic preparedness, Climate-related disasters, Power outage survival