Disaster Zone Podcast (2024)

15/08/2023

New Episode Up featuring Claire Rubin - who blogs at Recovery Diva, but has a much more extensive connection to all phases of the broader topic of emergency management. We talk in this podcast about a wide variety of topics, to include how professional emergency managers can continue to contribute after our paid careers are finished.

Sometimes it is good to look back at how far we have come and then forward, to where we might be headed in the future. My guest today is Claire Rubin blogs at Recovery Diva, but has a much more extensive connection to all phases of the broader top...

08/08/2023

NEW EPISODE, sponsored by our friends at Bent Ear Solutions. In this podcast we turn to look at the challenges of preventing either accidental and deliberate uses of drones that can harm operations or people. Featured expert is Leo McCloskey from Echodyne.

Typically, the Disaster Zone Podcast has had guests and topics about the positive uses of drone technology and how it can be used to advance the capabilities of first responder agencies, emergency managers and others like search and rescue groups....

25/07/2023

New podcast episode is live! In this podcast Eric Holdeman talks with Alana Scott, an expert fundraiser. They discuss the challenges that come from even just thinking about asking for money and then transition to some tools you can use to get the money you need, personally, professionally, or perhaps in your volunteer work.

One of the personal and organizational constraining factors that limit our aspirations is the lack of funding. To accomplish anything requires money. Emergency management as a profession has become overly dependent on grant funding. However, there...

20/06/2023

New Podcast Episode! Eric Holdeman has a wide ranging discussion with Hal Grieb from G&H International about the profession of emergency management, technology in general and how best to employ social media and get the support you need to maximize its benefits.

It is always fun to talk to someone who is a leader within the emergency management profession. In this podcast we hear from Halil (Hal) Grieb who only recently started with G&H International as a Technical Project Manager. Prior to joining G...

13/06/2023

NEW POD EPISODE! Baby Boomers are retiring and as they get older, there is a need for more facilities to care for them as their mobility decreases or they have more significant medical assistance. In this podcast we explore many aspects about the different types of elder care facilities and their emergency preparedness.

The United States population is aging. Baby Boomers are retiring and as they get older, there is a need for more facilities to care for them as their mobility decreases or they have more significant medical assistance. In this podcast we explore m...

06/06/2023

Sponsored by Merit, a NEW EPISODE is up, featuring Eric Holdeman's interview with legendary television journalist Glenn Farley....One of the team members we have in any disaster event is your local media. They may be a newspaper, radio station and in some market’s multiple television stations. In this podcast we explore how the media covers a disaster.

One of the team members we have in any disaster event is your local media. They may be a newspaper, radio station and in some market’s multiple television stations. In this podcast we explore how the media covers a disaster. The guest, Glenn Farle...

23/05/2023

NEW EPISODE UP! Maritime pilots provide a valuable service to the safety of broader maritime enterprise. This podcast explores their functions and what their role is in shepherding huge ships safely to dock and then back out to sea.

Maritime pilots provide a valuable service to the safety of broader maritime enterprise. This podcast explores their functions and what their role is in shepherding huge ships safely to dock and then back out to sea. The guest, Captain Eric Von Br...

18/04/2023

New episode on Disaster debris …a huge challenge for a wide range of disasters.

Debris can come in all shapes and sizes to include cars, houses and hazardous materials. They pile up in front of homes and clog waterways following storms and other weather related events.

In this podcast the expert guest is Rob Ray, Senior Vice President, for Operations at AshBritt, a national government solutions provider specializing in emergency management and disaster response.

Disaster debris is a huge challenge for a wide range of disasters. Debris can come in all shapes and sizes to include cars, houses and hazardous materials. They pile up in front of homes and clog waterways following storms and other weather relate...

11/04/2023

New episode up is live, highlighting the potential of a EMP as a weapon of mass destruction….learn more here:

Perhaps you have never heard of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and don’t understand what the implications from one being used as a weapon against the United States or other national powers. That is what this podcast does, looking at the full impac...

10/03/2023

With more than a decade of experience, Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) is the oldest and largest standalone charity designed solely to administer global disaster and hardship relief funds, thereby providing grants to individuals in need around the world.

Eric interviews EAF Founder Doug Stockham in this week's pod - including how in the last three years combined, EAF awarded over $205 million in financial assistance to more than 295,000 individuals and families in need around the world.

Doug Stockham co-founded Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) – a 501(c)(3) public non-profit – in 2011 to help companies take care of their team members in need. More than a decade later, EAF administers over 350 disaster and hardship relief fun...

28/02/2023

This week we're joined by a GOAT (Greatest of All Time), Jim Mullen, a long-time emergency manager who led the Seattle Office of Emergency Management for 12 years before spending eight years as the Washington State Emergency Management Director…

Jim and host Eric Holdeman discuss a wide range of emergency management topics, from disaster exercises, the need for disaster recovery planning, to where is the best location for the emergency management function in government.

The guest for this podcast is Jim Mullen, a long-time emergency manager who led the Seattle Office of Emergency Management for 12 years before spending eight years as the Washington State Emergency Management Director…and also being selected by hi...

14/02/2023

This week's episode is live and a must listen for businesses of all sizes, families and individuals.....Hear from Patrick Hardy, an expert on family disaster preparedness and Founder of Hytropy Disaster Management.

Patrick is a Certified Emergency Manager®, Certified Risk Manager®, Master Business Continuity Professional®, and a FEMA Master of Exercise®, with extensive experience working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in disaster management from micro-businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

This podcast’s guest is Patrick Hardy who is the founder and CEO of Hytropy Disaster Management™ Patrick is a Certified Emergency Manager®, Certified Risk Manager®, Master Business Continuity Professional®, and a FEMA Master of Exercise®, he has ...

09/02/2023

New Episode is Live!

Before you get to the hospital, after calling 911, there is an entire pre-hospital medical system that exists to come to the medical aid of people who are sick or injured. Learn more about the Emergency Medical System (EMS) from from Eric Kuehlthau, a Paramedic with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue in Pierce County, Washington State.

Listen to the full podcast at:

Before you get to the hospital, after calling 911, there is an entire pre-hospital medical system that exists to come to the medical aid of people who are sick or injured. These are the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who have ...

02/02/2023

In an industry full of acronyms, do you know what CISA is, and what this agency does? Learn the ins and outs of the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) from Regional Director Pat Massey.

In this podcast we learn about the mission and functions of our nation’s most recently established Federal office. We also achieve a better understanding of the challenges that came with starting from scratch, hiring staff and supporting states an...

24/01/2023

New episode is live - featuring Pete Gaynor, the immediate past FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator sharing his ideas on Leadership Essentials for Unthinkable Events.

Not everyone can lead during a crisis. Some think they can, others fear that they will not be up to the task. Sometimes the crisis finds you, whether you are ready or not. In this podcast, Pete Gaynor, the immediate past Federal Emergency Manageme...

27/12/2022

Defund Emergency Management! ....this week’s Disaster Zone Podcast is a commentary from Eric Holdeman, designed to get your attention and make everyone think about the grant rat race we are in as emergency managers. Whose role is it to fund state and local emergency management programs? Is it the federal government or is it the role of states and local governments? This is the topic that is explored in this commentary. Yes, Eric admits he has chased federal grants with the best of them! Listen to this special episode now at: https://disasterzone.buzzsprout.com/1176869/11915468-defunding-emergency-managment, or on your favorite podcast service.

This week’s Disaster Zone Podcast is a commentary from Eric Holdeman on the topic of Defunding Emergency Management. The title is there to get your attention and make everyone think about the grant rat race we are in as emergency managers. Whose r...

20/12/2022

From the preparation phase to the response and recovery, public information/affairs officers are a critical piece of the emergency management effort in any disaster or emergency.

Sponsored by Bent Ear Solutions, this week's episode features world-renowned risk and crisis comms expert Peter Sandman discussing a range of hot topics and tips and tricks for today's communicators and emergency managers.

One of emergency management’s major partners in all things concerning disasters, from the preparation phase to the response and recovery is our public information/affairs officers who support what we are trying to do in communicating with the publ...

02/12/2022

This week's podcast - sponsored by The Blue Cell, LLC - focuses on how Communications in disasters have always been an issue—across the board.

In this podcast we hear from James Clevenger from Hughes, diving into what makes communications so difficult in a disaster and how having communications options and redundancy is critical.

Communications in disasters has always been an issue—across the board. In this podcast we dive into what makes communications so difficult in a disaster and how having communications options and redundancy is critical. Today’s guest is James Cleve...

22/11/2022

Supply chains have become incredibly complex. In this podcast sponsored by Bent Ear Solutions, DZ host Eric Holdeman talks with supply chain expert Philip J. Palin, sharing his insights on the history of supply chains in general and then how we have ended up with so much complexity, dependencies and interdependencies.

Supply chains have become incredibly complex. In this podcast we have a supply chain expert sharing his insights on the history of supply chains in general and then how we have ended up with so much complexity, dependencies and interdependencies. ...

15/11/2022

Sponsored by Dynamis, Inc., in this week's episode, we turn the tables as Disaster Zone Podcast host Eric Holdeman is interviewed by Daniel Kilburn.

Daniel is “America’s Save Your Life Coach”, who helps families open communications, create resiliency, and develop leadership by preparing for inevitable emergencies and natural disasters so they can protect themselves and live a life without fear. Hear the full interview at:

Daniel Kilburn is “America’s Save Your Life Coach.” He helps families open communications, create resiliency, and develop leadership by preparing for inevitable emergencies and natural disasters so they can protect themselves and live a life witho...

09/11/2022

Managing a natural disaster, data breach, or crisis requires having a strategy in place—before the emergency strikes. Here more from Eric Holdeman's interview with Susan Young, an award-winning story + speaker coach.

Sponsored by The Blue Cell, LLC, a by-design crisis and consequence management consulting firm with a primary focus on education and training for government at all levels, non governmental agencies and private sector entities engaged in incident and emergency management activities.

Managing a natural disaster, data breach, or crisis requires having a strategy in place—before the emergency strikes. A proactive approach with leaders who are knowledgeable, confident, and prepared for the spotlight is essential. After all, the r...

Disaster Zone Podcast