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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

As we kick off National Preparedness Month, we're discussing the new and improved FEMA mobile app and discussing how it can provide crucial information to keep communities informed before, during, and after disasters.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode, we’re highlighting the State of Colorado and their successful partnership with voluntary organizations to set up a donations management and resource center following the Marshall Fire that burned over 6,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in late December 2021. The partnership is a shining example of how…

In 2012, FEMA created Wireless Emergency Alerts to send alert and warning messages through the agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. On today’s episode, we’ll talk about the countless ways Wireless Emergency Alerts have saved lives with Antwane Johnson, who has led the program since the beginning.…

A successful disaster response depends of the partnership of the whole community, including the tremendous support of voluntary organizations and the faith community. On today’s episode, we explore how leveraging the many strengths of neighborhood partners can ensure success before, during, and after disasters.…

On this episode, FEMA remembers Hurricane Agnes on the 50th Anniversary of the storm by looking back at the impacts to the Mid-Atlantic and looking ahead to predicting the future effects of hurricanes in the region. We discuss how Hurricane Agnes shaped the field of emergency management and the how emergency managers today are still using lessons t…

On this episode, we sat down with two State Public Information Officers to discuss the importance of getting lifesaving information to the public during disasters. Greg Robinson, from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and Malary White, from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, highlight the challenges and successes they have seen dur…

A year ago, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and since that time, FEMA, and numerous federal partners and the government of Puerto Rico have undertaken one of the largest post disaster reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in U.S. history. Major portions of the island’s infrastructure are being rebuilt as federal agencies support…

Large earthquakes in populated areas make the news, but many people don’t realize that earthquakes actually happen every day, all over the world. The National Earthquake Information Center in Golden not only monitors these earthquakes, they initiate an earthquake response protocol designed to give first responders and recovery staff critical inform…

Did you know more than 60% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings, making it extremely difficult to recover from an emergency—whether it is a natural disaster or a broken water heater?When people hear about disaster preparedness, regardless of the hazard, we often do not focus much on the financial aspect and financial preparedness. Having a…

We sit down with Acting Administrator Bob Fenton to discuss going through leadership transition within the agency and how it impacts FEMA’s mission.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode we talk to two Oregon based breweries, one owned by a wildland firefighter and another family operated, about how they are helping wildfire recovery through their craft.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode, we talk with Eric and Candice Page, Christmas tree farmers and residents of Marion County, Oregon, who are helping fellow Oregonians recover from the historic wildfires that burned throughout the state.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode, we’ll talk to Stacy Lamb from Convoy of Hope & FEMA’s donations management lead Don Bonchack about what you should know to most effectively volunteer your time after a disaster or how to ensure your donation makes the greatest impact for those who need it the most.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

For individuals affected by disasters, recovery can often be a daunting task. What people may not realize though is many times there are individuals who can walk you through that process, help you understand what your options might be and assist in finding resources to help you return to a new normally of life. On this episode, we'll talk to expert…

On this episode, FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor visits southern Oregon to view damage caused by historic wildfires that nearly destroyed small towns around the state, and we speak to a Disaster Survivor Assistance representative about her work with Spanish speaking survivors.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

In commemoration of World Tsunami Awareness Day, we speak to a tsunami survivor on her experience, work in tsunami education, and on the importance of tsunami awareness.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

In September, FEMA announced an application period for $660 million is hazard mitigation grant funding for states, local communities, tribes and territories to be used on projects that will reduce future disaster losses and strengthen the nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. On this episode we speak to two individuals leading the te…

Earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time. And because an earthquake is considered a no notice incident—one that occurs unexpectedly or with minimal warning—it is even more important that everyone be prepared for what to do when one occurs. This year’s International ShakeOut Day will be held on October 15 when everyone is encouraged to practi…

Perhaps FEMA’s closest partner in providing federal disaster recovery assistance is the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBA. When a federal disaster is declared, the SBA is authorized to offer low interest loans to businesses of all sizes and to individual homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations that have sustained damage i…

On this episode, we visit the University of Oregon campus to talk to members of a network that is dedicated to improving disaster preparedness in higher education. Featured speakers include Andre Le Duc, Chief Resilience Officer and Associate Vice President of Safety and Risk Services at University of Oregon, Amy Rasmussen, Emergency Manager and Bu…

September is National Preparedness Month. While 2020 may feel different for many Americans, one thing remains the same – disasters can and will happen. In this episode, we sit down with Paul Huang from the National Flood Insurance Program to discuss how purchasing flood insurance is one easy way homeowners and renters can prepare for future disaste…

Hurricane Laura made landfall last week in Louisiana and areas of Eastern Texas as a powerful category 4 storm. Causing widespread damage and destructions throughout the area. We check in with David Bibo, Associated Administrator for Response and Recovery about what disaster survivors can expect from FEMA as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and ho…

For the past 5 years, in July, volunteers from around the country travel to FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. to celebrate Partnership Day. This year, like many celebrations and gatherings around the country, Partnership Day is a virtual – and longer – a month-long celebration. On this episode we speak with Greg Forrester, President and CEO at N…

FEMA’s website (FEMA.gov) went through a major redesign. This is a critical step towards making our programs more accessible. On this week's podcast, we join FEMA's Office of External Affairs to talk about how the redesign will support FEMA's partners and disaster survivors.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

It was 40 years ago today that Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted. Ash and steam poured out and avalanches of snow and ice thundered down the mountain's sides for two months, and then on May 18, 1980 the volcano blew its top. Fifty-seven people were killed, many others injured, and many buildings were destroyed. The huge blast of rock, as…

On today’s episode, we celebrate AmeriCorps Week by highlighting one of our very own FEMA Corps teams. We sit down to discuss what the FEMA Corps program is all about and we talk about their important role in helping communities recovering from disasters.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode we talk with Mark Carey, who recently retired after 20 years of service with FEMA. Since 2007 he served as the FEMA Region 10 Mitigation Division Director where he was responsible for the region’s hazard mitigation financial grant program, National Flood Insurance Program, Endangered Species Act compliance, Risk Analysis and Risk Re…

On this episode we have the unique opportunity to talk with Evan Schumann, who is a program manager for Ohio Task Force One, one of the 28 teams in the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue system, about how these teams support disaster response operations in their home communities as well as around the nation.…

On this episode we talk with Antwane Johnson, director of FEMA's integrated public alert and warning program about this incredible capability and how these upgrades serve an important role in our nation's public safety and national security communications infrastructure.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode, we take a tour of the FEMA Distribution Center located in Frederick, Maryland and dive into all aspects of the on-hand commodity mission, which stands always at the ready for when disaster survivors and communities need us most.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode we sat down with FEMA’s Administrator, Pete Gaynor to talk about how Pub 1 and these core values form the foundation of who we are, what we believe, and who we want to be.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

On this episode we sit down with National IMAT lead, Tito Hernandez and Regional IMAT lead, Keith Denning, to dive into the unique nature of these Incident Management Assistance Teams from both the National and Regional perspective.By Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)