Best Federal Emergency Management Agency Fema Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 137: Weatherproofing Finances 51:32

1d ago51:32

51:32

If financial resiliency is an individual or family's ability to handle financial shocks and adjust to financial changes, there is no greater shock than a disaster. They cause both short and long-term financial challenges for survivors. While at times complex, financial resiliency is also full of opportunity to improve our ability to adjust and over…

1
Episode 136: Experts Discuss Crisis & Risk Communications to Meet the Needs of Communities 2:05:02

7d ago2:05:02

2:05:02

When a crisis occurs, communities need actionable messaging, reflective of their unique circumstance in order to respond. Creating effective communications begins before a crisis by engaging communities to understand their needs and appropriately communicating their risks. Risks across the communications field, increasingly complex challenges are e…

1
Navigating Weather Crises - A Conversation with Anna McRay, Emergency Management Leader 25:58

14d ago25:58

25:58

In this episode, we delve into the high-stakes world of emergency management with Anna McRay. As the Assistant Director of Emergency Management for New Hanover County, Anna shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding lives and property during crises. Located in North Carolina, New Hanover’s coastal territory presents many challenges - experiencing…

1
Episode 135: Expert Panelists Address Extreme Heat Impacts, Communications Tactics, and Mitigation Measures 1:33:20

2d ago1:33:20

1:33:20

Millions of Americans are being impacted by extreme heat waves, which are growing in intensity, frequency, and duration due to climate change. And so, in response to the calendar year 2023 annual planning guidance, where FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell directed a review of all current FEMA authorities, capabilities and gaps to develop a unified …

1
The Bug Man Cometh! 25:34

1M ago25:34

25:34

Hurricanes, heavy storms, tornadoes, floods, and similar disasters can lead to problems with a variety of insects and other creepy crawlies. With two broods of cicadas emerging and bugs in the news we talk with Paul Bello -entomologist extraordinaire. Paul has been battling bugs and creepy crawlies for decades. As the rains and flood waters abate, …

1
Effective Compassion, Serving with Humility: Samaritan's Purse 34:29

2M ago34:29

34:29

Samaritan’s Purse is an international, nondenominational, evangelical Christian disaster relief organization. Founded in 1970, it provides aid to people in need across the globe. Following the example of the Good Samaritan as found in the Bible, the organization provides assistance in crisis areas throughout the world. After a disaster they help wi…

1
Hurricane Season is Here! The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Ready! 39:44

2M ago39:44

39:44

As we enter the 2024 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts an above-average year for named storms—somewhere between 17 and 25. Effective planning is crucial for successful disaster response, especially considering the likelihood of a named storm hitting the US coastline this year. One key partner in this process is the Fede…

1
New Episodes Coming Out Soon! 1:18

3M ago1:18

1:18

I've been on a bit of a hiatus camping out, communing with nature. There was a lot of rain and mud involved! The good news is I did catch (and release) a couple of speckled king snakes! I try to get episodes out roughly every two weeks, so I’m a little behind… but, no need to fear, there are several exciting episodes coming up in the next few weeks…

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The Siren's Call: Tornadoes, Severe Weather, and The National Weather Service 29:59

4M ago29:59

29:59

The episode starts with the trailer of the exciting 1996 film “Twister,” featuring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. It sets the stage for our interview today with Mark Fox. As the Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma—a notorious tornado hot-spot – Mark’s mission is the preservation of lives and prop…

1
Episode 134: Emergency Communications Month - Partnering with CISA to Highlight Key Communication Resources 27:29

4M ago27:29

27:29

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 ta…

1
Episode 133: A Nod to the Volunteers Who Help in Times of Need 42:02

4M ago42:02

42:02

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 n…

1
Logistics - Hero Style! 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

Each type of disaster presents unique challenges and in these critical moments, logistics plays a pivotal role. Today we talk with Angela Ruth Corbett. She has extensive experience in disaster response logistics and can shed light on the many challenges involved in setting up and supplying disaster sites. She is widely recognized as a leader and in…

1
Episode 132: With a Total Solar Eclipse on the Radar, Emergency Managers Talk About How They're Preparing for the Crowds 34:21

4M ago34:21

34:21

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 wi…

1
National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists - Into the Danger Zone! 29:33

4M ago29:33

29:33

Did you know that the National Weather Service has a SWAT Team? Well, not quite SWAT, but pretty close! Today we talk with Robert Rickey who is an IMET – an Incident Meteorologist. They are a group of about 100 forecasters who go to where the danger is, in harm’s way. They primarily get deployed to wildfire events, but have worked at floods, hurric…

1
Why Weather Heroes? - Hurricane Andrew Revisited 13:07

4M ago13:07

13:07

There have been many hurricanes before, but not like Andrew. It changed many things, not just for Miami, but across the US: how everyone prepares for hurricanes, building codes, insurance practices, mitigation efforts, the list is long. Andrew also ignited my passion for the excitement and reward of giving back to the community in times of disaster…

1
Episode 131: Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Operations 33:39

5M ago33:39

33:39

In late 2023, FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, or ODIC, released a new version of its training course IS-368.A "Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Operations." We don't always cover specific FEMA training courses on this podcast, but the purpose of this course is somewhat unique in that it really strives to incr…

1
Episode 130: Streamlining the FEMA Application Process. Empowering Survivors to Rebuild Faster After Disaster 54:21

5M ago54:21

54:21

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 chan…

1
The National Weather (Heroes) Service 29:53

5M ago29:53

29:53

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas. They play an indispensable role in the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy by empowering us to prepare for and respond effectively to adverse …

1
Episode 129: Building Resilience in Communities that Are Most Vulnerable to Natural Hazards 29:43

5M ago29:43

29:43

Natural disasters can be a stressful and traumatic time for anyone, but they can be especially devastating to vulnerable communities who have been historically underserved. Today, we'll discuss how FEMA is working to build resilience across the country by designating community disaster resilience zones. To explain more about this new and extremely …

1
Episode 128: Taking Leadership to the Next Level with the Naval Postgraduate School 18:17

6M ago18:17

18:17

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 s…

1
Can You Hear Me Now? 23:02

6M ago23:02

23:02

In 1983, the DynaTAC 8000X cellular telephone, affectionately known as “the brick,” entered the market. Those of us of a certain age, certainly remember it! Since then, cell phones have seamlessly woven themselves into our daily lives. These pocket-sized devices grant us access to seemingly endless information and provide countless ways to communic…

1
Weather Heroes Trailer 0:57

6M ago0:57

0:57

Welcome to Weather Heroes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1980, the U.S. has sustained over two and a half trillion dollars in weather related damage. The cost of weather disasters can have a significant impact on the economy, environment, and people’s lives. Weather Heroes explores the world of planni…

1
Wonderous Wood 17:17

6M ago17:17

17:17

After Hurricane Andrew made landfall in 1992, plywood prices rose 45% and prices for Southern pine framing lumber increased 17%. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the wood products markets reacted strongly. Panic buying of lumber and structural panels went on for weeks. Lumber and plywood costs increased an average of 30% the four weeks aft…

1
Episode 127: #WinterReady - Being Fire Safe in the Winter Can Help Save Lives 45:17

6M ago45:17

45:17

Fire dangers increase during the winter months and claim more lives than at any other time of the year. Deaths caused by fire are only part of the story as there are thousands of displacements when homes are destroyed, contributing to homelessness numbers across the nation. Unfortunately, the statistics on winter fire destruction are devastating, b…

1
Episode 126: Tips on How to Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking 28:18

7M ago28:18

28:18

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 pre…

1
Episode 125: #WinterReady - Winter Preparedness and the Unique Challenges the Cold Can Pose

8M ago

—

Heatwaves are on the increase and garner well-deserved attention from the media. While these extreme heat events are growing in frequency and severity, a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, found that more deaths occur due to exposure to the cold. The CDC reports that in 2019, about 1,300 people died of hypother…

1
Episode 124: A USFA-Led Conversation with the Creators of "Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire," A New Documentary Focused on Cultural Fire 31:10

8M ago31:10

31:10

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 …

1
Episode 123: Resilience After Wildfire - The Point Dume Bombers. A Conversation with Journalist Adriana Cargill, Creator of the "Sandcastles" Podcast 30:16

9M ago30:16

30:16

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…

1
Episode 122: #SummerReady - FEMA Mitigation Grants Help Build Community Resilience 23:44

11M ago23:44

23:44

This summer, we launched a four-part series in support of FEMA's #SummerReady campaign, where we're exploring the effects of extreme heat and how collaboration among local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal partners can lead to more educated communities. In this fourth and final episode of the #SummerReady campaign, we'll dive a little deeper…

1
Episode 121: #SummerReady - A Deep Dive into California's Heat Ready Campaign 28:58

12M ago28:58

28:58

This summer has been hot. We're seeing some of the hottest days on record, and the extreme heat is without borders impacting not just the United States, but countries across the globe. So welcome back to episode number three of our four-part series in support of FEMA's Summer Ready campaign, where we're exploring the effects of extreme heat and how…

1
Episode 120: A Chat with CISA on its Efforts to Prevent Bomb Threats and Protect Communities 26:58

1y ago26:58

26:58

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 …

1
Episode 119: Supporting Employee Mental Health to Ensure a Strong and Resilient Workforce 24:10

1y ago24:10

24:10

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 officia…

1
Episode 118: #SummerReady – The Impact of Extreme Heat on Critical Infrastructure 39:14

1y ago39:14

39:14

Heat and Extreme heat continue to impact communities across the globe. We've seen more frequent events and cascading disasters over the past few years. Staying ahead of them requires that we review our response plans regularly and make adjustments as needed, but also think in terms of both the short and long term to ensure a whole community approac…

1
Episode 117: FEMA Hosts an Extreme Heat Summit and Launches #SummerReady 37:22

1y ago37:22

37:22

Heat and extreme heat continue to impact communities across the globe. We've seen more frequent events and cascading disasters over the past few years. Staying ahead of them requires we review our response plans regularly and make adjustments as needed, but also think about both the short and long-term to ensure a whole community approach to keepin…

1
Episode 116: Building a Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operations Plan

1y ago

—

Federal government-wide disaster planning dates to the Cold War era Federal Response Plan, and similar documents, that describe how the United States would respond to nuclear war and severe disasters. This singular plan was maintained and updated after the Cold War ended. However, following the attacks of September 11th, 2001, it was deemed insuffi…

1
Episode 115: FEMA Fire Grants and the UL Help Enhance Community Safety 46:03

1y ago46:03

46:03

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…

1
Episode 114: The Role of Local Elected and Appointed Officials in Disaster Response and Recovery 29:00

1+ y ago29:00

29:00

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 disaster…

1
Episode 113: Tribal Roundtable - Investing in Emergency Management 37:30

1+ y ago37:30

37:30

To accomplish FEMA's mission, we work with governments at all levels to ensure the agency is helping people before, during, and after disasters. One special relationship that federal agencies, such as FEMA, have is the relationship with tribal nations, since the federal government has a treaty and trust relationships with tribes. In that same vein,…

1
Episode 112: Enhancing Emergency Preparedness in Communities Near Chemical Stockpile Sites 31:50

1+ y ago31:50

31:50

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 …

1
Episode 111: Understanding the Importance of Protecting Your Property with Flood Insurance 54:57

1+ y ago54:57

54:57

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…

1
Episode 110: Focus on Equity - Engaging Persons with Disabilities in Emergency Response and Recovery 33:31

1+ y ago33:31

33:31

FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination serves to ensure our commitment to equity and inclusion for persons with disabilities before, during, and after disasters. On this episode, we catch up with Director Sherman Gillums, Jr. to explore his first hundred days in office, discuss the improvements that are being made in our program d…

1
Episode 109: The National Water Center - Addressing the Nation's Flood Risks 33:06

1+ y ago33:06

33:06

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 emer…

1
Episode 108: Unpacking the EOC How to Quick Reference Guide 30:11

1+ y ago30:11

30:11

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 thei…

1
Episode 107: Flood After Fire: Understanding the Risks of Increased Flooding After Wildfires Damage the Land 17:43

1+ y ago17:43

17:43

In recent decades, wildfires have ravaged many areas of the country, especially the Western United States. Scientists note that climate change will worsen ongoing drought conditions, which will in turn increase the frequency and intensity of wildland wildfires. When the flames are extinguished, a new threat arises - flooding after fire. After large…

1
Episode 106: A chat with Joe Kelly, Minnesota's outgoing director of emergency management shares tips, insight, and lessons on navigating through the pandemic 48:08

1+ y ago48:08

48:08

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 Min…

1
Episode 105: A New Guide for Continuous Improvement in Emergency Management 25:35

1+ y ago25:35

25:35

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…

1
Episode 104: A Chat with Kelbie Kennedy, FEMA’s New National Tribal Affairs Advocate 32:28

1+ y ago32:28

32:28

A big part of FEMA administrator Deanna Criswell's strategic plan centers around instilling equity in emergency management. With this renewed focus, we are delighted to introduce FEMA's first National Tribal Affairs Advocate, Kelbie Kennedy, to the podcast. Since joining FEMA in October 2022, Kelbie has brought a wealth of knowledge about Indian Co…

1
Episode 103: FEMA's Outreach Initiatives with America's Tribal Nations 29:09

1+ y ago29:09

29:09

In addition to our ubiquitous role in responding to and recovering from disasters and emergencies, FEMA also administers numerous grant programs aimed at increasing the capacity of the nation's emergency management system. Part of that administration is understanding the challenges our state, local, tribal, and territorial partners face when applyi…

1
Episode 102: FEMA's National Advisory Council 33:32

2y ago33:32

33:32

The National Advisory Council, or NAC, consists of 35 members representing a wide range of geographic and professional backgrounds and is tasked with advising the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management. The NAC held its first meeting of this year, in June, in Boise, Idaho. Members shared progress reports from the equity working g…

1
Episode 101: 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week 32:49

2y ago32:49

32:49

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This tragic event inspired numerous changes in fire policies throughout the nation. On this episode we talk with Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the U.S. Fire Administrator abou…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Federal Emergency Management Agency Fema Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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