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EP 3 Season 2

Planning for Changing Hazards: From Wildfire Protection to Community Resilience

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more destructive, and more complex, forcing communities to rethink how they prepare for and reduce risk before disaster strikes. In this episode, we sit down with Krystian Cole to explore the critical role of mitigation, planning, and community engagement in building resilience against wildfire threats and other emerging hazards.The conversation dives into the purpose and value of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), examining how these plans help communities identify risks, prioritize mitigation projects, and strengthen collaboration among local governments, fire services, land managers, and residents. Krystian explains why successful wildfire risk reduction depends on more than just emergency response and highlights the importance of proactive planning, public participation, and long-term investment in resilience.We also discuss the unique challenges faced by rural communities, common misconceptions about wildfire management, and the characteristics that make some communities better prepared to withstand and recover from disasters. As hazards continue to evolve, the conversation expands beyond wildfires to explore the growing connection between emergency management, climate adaptation, and community preparedness.For current and aspiring emergency managers, Krystian shares valuable insights on the skills needed to succeed in the profession, the importance of effectively communicating with diverse audiences, and why mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for professional growth. The discussion also touches on opportunities for young professionals, the value of networking, and practical advice for those looking to make a lasting impact in the emergency management field.Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, planner, student, or community leader, this episode offers actionable insights on reducing risk, fostering collaboration, and preparing communities for an increasingly uncertain future.Key TakeawaysCommunity collaboration is essential to successful mitigation and resilience efforts.Community Wildfire Protection Plans help identify risks and prioritize actions before disasters occur.Effective mitigation planning reduces vulnerability and strengthens long-term resilience.Climate adaptation strategies are most successful when tailored to the needs and perspectives of different audiences.Rural communities face unique planning and resource challenges that require creative solutions.Mentorship, networking, and continuous learning are critical for career development in emergency management.Proactive preparedness today creates stronger, safer, and more resilient communities tomorrow.

Oct 23, 2026 00:46:59

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EP 2 Season 2

EM in the News – The Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill

The new All Hazards Hour cohost Dan Nelson highlights the importance of preparedness and response in the face of natural disasters. Dan introduces the new addition episode of the All Hazards Hour, where he discusses significant emergency management news. This weeks focus is on Hurricane Isaias, federal disaster declarations, the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill, and insights on emergency preparedness.

Oct 16, 2026 00:07:24

EP 1 Season 2

Beyond the Map: How GIS Drives Modern Disaster Operations

In this episode of The All Hazards Hour, host Morgan Greenwood sits down with Will Baumann, a public safety GIS specialist, to explore how GIS helps emergency managers make informed decisions before, during, and after disasters. How GIS has become an essential tool in modern emergency management, supporting everything from disaster preparedness and mitigation to response and recovery operations.Will shares his journey into the GIS profession and explains how mapping technology has evolved far beyond creating maps. Today, GIS serves as a powerful decision-support tool, helping emergency managers visualize hazards, identify vulnerable populations, allocate resources, and maintain situational awareness during rapidly changing incidents.Discover some common misconceptions about GIS, how GIS professionals work behind the scenes to transform complex datasets into actionable information that supports incident commanders, emergency operations centers, and community leaders.This episode examines the role GIS plays during disaster response operations, including severe weather events, flooding, and other emergencies, how accurate and timely geospatial data can improve coordination, support evacuation planning, identify impacted areas, and provide decision-makers with the information they need to prioritize response efforts.Whether you're an emergency manager, planner, public safety professional, GIS specialist, or simply interested in how technology supports disaster operations, this conversation offers valuable insight into the growing importance of geospatial information in emergency management and community resilience.Join us as we discuss the intersection of technology, data, and emergency management with Will Baumann, and learn how GIS continues to transform the way communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Oct 9, 2026 01:09:49

EP 29 Season 1

Technical Tidbit – Coordinating Disasters with Emergency Support Functions

When disasters strike, effective coordination can mean the difference between chaos and an organized, life-saving response. In this episode of Technical Tidbit, we take an in-depth look at Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), one of the most important frameworks used in emergency management across the United States. From hurricanes and wildfires to major public health emergencies and complex, multi-jurisdiction incidents, ESFs serve as the foundation for bringing together government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector partners, and critical infrastructure stakeholders under a common response structure.The episode begins with an introduction to the concept of Emergency Support Functions and their purpose within the broader emergency management landscape. Listeners will learn how ESFs were developed to improve coordination during large-scale incidents that require extensive interagency collaboration. Rather than organizing disaster response around individual organizations, ESFs group capabilities and resources by function. This approach allows responders to focus on mission requirements such as transportation, communications, public works, mass care, logistics, public health, and search and rescue, regardless of which agency is providing the support.TakeawaysESFs are a backbone of coordination and disaster response in the United StatesESFs provide a way to organize organizations around common objectives and missions

Sep 25, 2026 00:20:32

EP 27 Season 1

From Policy to Preparedness- The Elected Official’s Role in Emergency Management-with Rep. Bill Elam

SummaryEmergency management does not happen in a vacuum. Across preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, elected officials play an important role in setting priorities, establishing policy, approving budgets and supporting the resources communities need to prepare for and respond to disasters.In this episode of the All Hazards Hour, we talk with Alaska Representative Bill Elam about the role elected officials play in emergency management and public safety.Representative Elam represents House District 8 on the Kenai Peninsula and previously served on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. His background also includes firefighting and EMS, information technology, infrastructure, telecommunications and healthcare systems.Bill shares his experience working with emergency service areas, funding fire and EMS infrastructure, supporting mitigation projects and addressing emergency communications challenges. We discuss why emergency managers need to clearly explain the risks, costs and benefits associated with preparedness and mitigation projects, particularly when competing for limited public resources.The conversation also explores Alaska's Ready, Set, Go evacuation messaging and the effort to establish consistent evacuation terminology across the state. Bill discusses his involvement with Senate Bill 192 and the importance of giving communities and residents consistent information during an evacuation.We also talk about wildfire mitigation, fire breaks, emergency communications, radio coverage and the relationship between local emergency services and elected officials.Beyond emergency management, Bill shares his perspective on public service, community involvement and working through disagreements with integrity. One recurring theme throughout the conversation is the importance of finding common ground and recognizing that elected officials and emergency managers are ultimately working toward the same goal: protecting people and property.ResourcesReady, Set, Go! – Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire ProtectionAlaska's Ready, Set, Go framework provides guidance for preparing for wildfires, staying informed and knowing when to evacuate.Alaska Ready, Set, Go!https://www.forestry.alaska.gov/fire/rsgLocal Elected and Appointed Officials Quick Reference Guide – FEMAA FEMA guide outlining the role of local elected officials before, during and after disasters, including preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and coordination with emergency managers.FEMA Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guidehttps://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_npd_local-elected-officials-quick-reference-guide_2025.pdfAlaska Evacuation Planning – Alaska DHS&EMAlaska's evacuation planning resources provide guidance for communities developing evacuation plans and coordinating emergency response.Alaska DHS&EM Evacuation Planninghttps://ready.alaska.gov/plans/EvacuationsElected Officials Guide to Emergency Management – National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)This guide for elected and appointed officials emphasizes their leadership role in emergency management. Helping to understand emergency management as a core government function. NEMA – Elected Officials Guide to Emergency Management

Sep 18, 2026 00:39:30

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