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EM Weekly Podcast

The Readiness Lab

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EM Weekly is the podcast for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We’ll cover everything that impacts you as an emergency manager, including the latest in technology, preparedness, strategy, and tactics. Our goal is to provide you with real insights into the world of emergency management, as well as give you an opportunity to get to know the people behind the job. So grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us for EM Weekly, where the conversation is always lively, informative, and pred ...
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In this guest podcast episode from our sister publication Processing, Senior Editor Nate Todd interviews Chris Cloney of Dust Safety Science. In this episode, we discover that awareness of dust hazards varies globally, often spiking after major incidents but waning over time. The company tracks dust-related incidents annually, noting significant ev…
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In this episode of EM Weekly, Zack dives deep into the world of emergency communications with Aaron Williams and Jason Burt from L3Harris. Discover the cutting-edge evolution of the radio industry, the game-changing adoption of LTE and LMR convergence, and how L3Harris is setting new standards from large agencies to small volunteer departments. Get…
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The U.S. Chemical Safety Board identified five issues with the 2019 Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery fire and explosion: mechanical integrity, outdated equipment, lack of remote emergency isolation valves, safeguard reliability and the need for inherently safer design. https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/podcast/process-safety-with-trish-and-t…
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The conversation between Zack and Mike covers their long-standing friendship, Mike's journey into the army and his role as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. They discuss the challenges and training involved in EOD work, as well as the importance of realistic training and the need to balance risk aversion with preparedness for high-ri…
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Understanding the two kinds of change, deliberate and creeping, will aid you in keeping your facility a safe place to work. As we look back 50 years, we can see both deliberate and creeping change played significant roles in the catastrophic explosion and fire that tore through the Nypro plant in Flixborough, U.K., resulting in the tragic loss of 2…
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The Flixborough disaster in 1974 resulted in 28 fatalities and significant damage, leading to the introduction of management of change processes, improved asset integrity practices, emphasis on competency management, and enhanced control room safety measures. This landmark incident highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and c…
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Time is critical when tracking down hazardous substances. Whether it’s trying to mitigate safety incidents before they happen or being able to tap all the pertinent information during an emergency involving a chemical spill, fire or natural disaster, having an efficient way to trace every ingredient is paramount. This crossover episode first appear…
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In today's episode, Zack provides a debrief of his experience at the National Preparedness Symposium at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, highlighting the topics and trends discussed. Zack presented on the use of AI in emergency management and the need for understanding its limitations. Other big discussions included the importance of the natio…
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In this episode, Trish & Traci interview Stephen J. Wallace, a former investigator with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and author of the book "Hazardous Lies." Wallace offers insights into the world of process safety investigations and the motivation behind his fictional thriller. Wallace draws from his real-life experiences to craft a realistic po…
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Today we're joined by James Neufeld of Samdesk, a company that provides real-time monitoring and intelligence augmentation using AI and software. James, the founder and CEO of Samdesk, has a background in broadcast and journalism, which led him to recognize the need for a better way to gather and analyze information during crises. The conversation …
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This In Case You Missed It episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci brings the written word to life. Today, I will be reading an excerpt from a column written a few years ago by John Bresland, president of Process Safety Risk Assessment LLC and former chair of the United States Chemical Safety Board. The column “10 Rules To Succeed at Process S…
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Andrew Donawa, an emergency manager within the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, discusses the unique role of law enforcement in emergency management. He highlights the importance of having dedicated emergency managers in every agency, regardless of the scale of the emergency. Andrew also shares his experiences in building an incident management team …
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It's crucial to operate within our professional boundaries and effectively mitigate risks when operating beyond them. In this In Case You Missed It episode, Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Centre, reads her most recent column: Embrace Challenges, Recognize Limits, Manage RisksBy chemicalprocessingsafety
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In this episode, Zack discusses the upcoming eclipse and its impact on communities. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness and readiness for large events, regardless of their scale. Zack highlights the anticipated impacts of the eclipse, such as increased traffic and congestion, and the strain on critical infrastructure. He also addresses com…
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In this episode, we offer 7 steps for better cybersecurity. If you are a process control engineer, an IT professional in a company with an automation division, or a business manager responsible for safety or security, you may be wondering how your organization can get moving on more robust cybersecurity practices. View the transcript for links to a…
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Boeing was known for its engineering excellence until a focus on profitability took over. Properly documenting management of change and recognizing weak signals could have prevented tragedy. In this episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci, we discuss the aviation industry's Boeing 737 MAX crisis and how it revealed critical management failures…
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A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) mostly is a safety design check, not a design development review. Making and finalizing major design choices should occur long before a HAZOP. In this In Case You Missed It Episode, Traci Purdum reads a column from Plant InSites columnist Andrew Sloley. Written By: Andrew Sloley Read By: Traci Purdum Read Arti…
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In this episode, Zack discusses the cell phone outage affecting major carriers and emphasizes the importance of having a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) communication plan. He explores alternate communication methods such as landlines, Wi-Fi, and smart devices, and contingency methods like satellite phones and radios. Zack also me…
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In today's episode, Trish and Traci discuss inherently safer design principles, emphasizing proactive safety measures. Trish shares examples, such as separating hazardous substances from work areas and minimizing potential risks through thoughtful design choices. They highlight challenges like maintaining design integrity throughout project phases …
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Joseph Porcelli, the Global Public Agency, Life Safety & Disaster Response Lead at Nextdoor, discusses the importance of connecting neighbors and building community resilience. He shares his journey from taking action in his own neighborhood to joining Nextdoor and working with emergency managers across the country. Porcelli emphasizes the value of…
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Daily experiences vary, but key events hold lessons. Reflection is vital for learning and shaping success. Written By: Trish Kerin Read By: Trish Kerin Read Article HERE https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/voices/stay-safe/article/33018718/the-difference-between-experiences-and-learning-in-process-safety…
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In this conversation, Doug Bainton, a citywide interagency coordinator in New York City, discusses the importance of interagency coordination in emergency management. He highlights the value of field experience and understanding the tactical mindset in emergency response. Doug emphasizes the need for building relationships and communication among d…
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In their podcast, Trish and Traci discuss the importance of commemorating anniversaries of incidents, emphasizing the need to learn from the past. Trish highlights two reasons for reflection: learning from past events to prevent recurrence and honoring those who lost their lives. They delve into various historical incidents, such as the IChemE Safe…
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In this episode, Zack discusses his excitement for the innovations and advancements in emergency management that he anticipates in 2024. He highlights the role of AI in project management and organization, as well as the potential for AI to expedite emergency response. Zack also discusses the evolution of emergency management practices, emphasizing…
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Welcome to the crossover edition of Process Safety with Trish and Traci -- the podcast that aims to share insights from past incidents to help avoid future events. I’m Traci Purdum, EIC of Chemical Processing. Today’s crossover is from our Chemical Processing Distilled podcast series. I recently spoke with Dave Strobhar, founder and principal human…
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In this episode, Trish and Traci, along with guest Melissa Humphries, discuss the challenges of intuitively understanding uncertainty and likelihoods in risk assessments. They highlight the common pitfalls of dismissing low-likelihood events and the impact of human nature on risk perception. Melissa explains statistical concepts like risk and uncer…
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Get pumped people - Discover ChatGPT's new superpower that lets you create your very own AI assistants! I'm talking customized Generative Pre-trained Transformers built for emergency managers, by emergency managers. In this episode, I showcase the two GPTs I built to become your exercise and messaging sensei. First, I unveil Exercise Architect - Ou…
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This In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, Trish Kerin, the director of IChemE Safety Centre, and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing, will read her column “Reflecting On Tragedy Can Improve Process Safety,” which appeared in the December 2023 edition of our magazine. Written By: Trish Kerin Read By: Trish Ke…
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In the podcast episode, Traci and Trish discuss the 31st anniversary of the La Mède Refinery explosion in France, detailing the events and the consequences, including six fatalities and significant financial loss. Trish emphasizes the importance of rigorous corrosion inspection programs and the need for comprehensive risk assessments in facility de…
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This episode discusses the 1989 Pasadena chemical plant explosion that claimed 23 lives. The incident led to the modernization of process safety measures in the U.S. Trish and Traci emphasize the importance of dedicated firewater systems, meticulous maintenance procedures, and strategies to combat complacency. They also explore the use of case stud…
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In this episode of EM Weekly, we sit down with Andy Bozzo, the visionary founder and CDO of Tablet Command. From his early success in college as an NCAA athlete, to his first career as a teacher, to his current role as a Fire Captain, Andy's unique journey epitomizes a fusion of service, technology, and continuous learning. We delve into the genesi…
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On this week's episode, we talk to Jacob Saltzman! Jacob recounts his experience working emergency medical services at Burning Man and dealing with the two significant rainstorms that impacted the event this year. He details the unique emergency response structure at the festival, the challenges of providing care in extreme weather, and the resilie…
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Plants with good safety performance can become complacent over time, and lessons learned from incidents are often forgotten. It's crucial to instill and maintain a culture of constant unease to ensure ongoing safety. According to the article, Former chair of the UK’s Health and Safety Executive Judith Hackitt bluntly warns: “Be clear that your role…
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This is a must listen episode! This week's guest is David Riedman, researcher and creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database. We discuss the surprising realities around shootings and violence at schools that often go unreported in the media. How can emergency managers help schools be more proactive with safety planning and preparedness? David sha…
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In this episode, we discuss risk assessment. The chemical industry is a high-hazard industry. That does not mean it has to be high-risk. We have to effectively manage risk to prevent an incident, and then if prevention fails, mitigate the consequences. If we get this wrong, people die.By chemicalprocessingsafety
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Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments operate, but adopting new tech can be a challenge. In this week's episode, we chat with Micah Guadet, a trailblazer in using AI ethically and responsibly in the public sector. Micah developed the first course on adopting AI in government, sharing how to navigate policy, fear, and change manage…
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Cheryl Bodnar, one of the brilliant minds behind "Contents Under Pressure," an immersive game designed to teach process safety. Discover the story behind the game and its impact on education and industry. https://contentsunderpressure.engineering.uconn.edu/ Transcript: https://chemicalprocessing.com/33010…
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By following these tips, chemical facilities can enhance the effectiveness of their process-hazard reviews in the Management of Change (MoC) process, minimizing the risk of missing critical safety considerations and ensuring a robust safety management system.By chemicalprocessingsafety
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In this episode of the EM Weekly podcast, host Zack dives into the essential aspects of school emergency preparedness at the start of the academic year. From comprehensive strategies that administrators, teachers, and staff should implement, to the vital role parents play in ensuring their children's safety, we cover it all. The episode provides a …
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In Case You Missed It edition of Process Safety with Trish and Traci. In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, Trish Kerin, the director of IChemE Safety Centre, and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing, will read her column “Prepare For The Worst”, which appeared in the August 2023 edition of Chemical Proce…
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Today's episode is actually the launch episode for our latest podcast, Life Fire Layout! Subscribe and listen in!www.spreaker.com/show/life-fire-layout In the inaugural episode of "Life, Fire, Layout," host Prescott Nadeau sits down with Zack Borst, an emergency manager and host of the popular EM Weekly Podcast. Together, they delve into the purpos…
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Really quick, if you're impacted or interested in helping the response to the recent flooding in Vermont, please visit www.vermont.gov/flood Here at EM Weekly and The Readiness Lab, we're all about the tech that takes us from "meh" to "wow". Enter Traumasoft, the game-changer that's aiming to give EMS agencies a big efficiency boost and a huge high…
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The tragedy exposed various deficiencies in safety management and emergency response. It remains a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous risk assessment, effective control measures, continuous monitoring of safety systems, and fostering a culture where workers feel empowered to stop unsafe work.…
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Weak signals occur all around us every day, but we often either fail to notice them -- or their significance. It might be an unexpected or unexplainable alarm, a lead indicator that may be easily dismissed as false, or an observation by a worker. Apply the Platypus Philosophy to recognize these signals and make your facility safer.…
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Innovate or Die! Innovation is a term that is tossed around with little meaning and often referring to something that is 100%, not innovative. I think a lot of emergency managers want to be innovative but aren't given the space and time needed to actually create something new or different. So what's holding us back? How do we move our field from wh…
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