All Hazards Hour

Katmai Solutions

The All Hazards Hour podcast explores every aspect of disaster management, featuring real stories and practical insights from emergency managers and disaster responders. Tune in for candid conversations that reveal how communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Email us with comments, suggested topics and guests, and flowery praise at podcast@katmaisolutions.com. To learn more about our sponsor go to www.katmaisolutions.com. New episodes drop every Friday at 12am Alaska Time.

  1. 2 days ago

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

    Summary Emergency 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. Resources Ready, Set, Go! – Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Alaska'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/rsg Local Elected and Appointed Officials Quick Reference Guide – FEMA A 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 Guide https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_npd_local-elected-officials-quick-reference-guide_2025.pdf Alaska Evacuation Planning – Alaska DHS&EM Alaska's evacuation planning resources provide guidance for communities developing evacuation plans and coordinating emergency response. Alaska DHS&EM Evacuation Planning https://ready.alaska.gov/plans/Evacuations Elected 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

  2. 11 Sept

    EM in the News- 9/11 and the CRS report "Understanding State Capacity for Emergency Management"

    Overview: This episode begins with a solemn reflection on September 11, 2001, honoring the lives lost and the first responders and emergency personnel who answered the call that day. Next, we examine a timely Congressional Research Service report, “Understanding State Capacity for Emergency Management,” and its implications for the future of emergency management in the United States. As Congress and the administration consider changes to FEMA and the federal disaster assistance system, a central question emerges: Can states take on greater responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery? States already lead emergency management within their jurisdictions and manage the vast majority of incidents without federal assistance. However, the capacity to do so varies significantly from state to state. Differences in organizational structure, staffing, funding, preparedness programs, mutual aid agreements, and experience managing federal assistance can all affect a state's ability to absorb additional responsibilities. These differences could become increasingly important if the federal role in disaster assistance changes. Some states may be well positioned to assume additional responsibilities, while others could face significant challenges, particularly where emergency management agencies operate with limited staffing and resources or rely heavily on federal funding. The discussion also examines the role of insurance, public assistance programs, and disaster recovery, highlighting that emergency management capacity is about much more than what happens during the initial response. The ability to sustain recovery and help communities rebuild is equally important. As policymakers debate the future of FEMA and federal disaster assistance, this report provides an important framework for considering what states can realistically be expected to do. The bottom line is straightforward: before responsibilities are shifted, we need to understand whether the capacity exists to carry them out. Takeaways: State emergency management capacity varies significantly across the United States.States already manage most disasters, but their ability to assume additional responsibilities is uneven.Staffing, funding, organizational structure, mutual aid, and disaster experience all influence state capacity.Changes to FEMA and federal disaster assistance could affect states and communities very differently. Resources: Understanding State Capacity for Emergency Management The Congressional Research Service examines state emergency management organization's capacity in the context of potential changes to FEMA and federal disaster assistance. Read the CRS report National Preparedness Report FEMA's National Preparedness Report examines national preparedness capabilities, risks, and gaps across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Read the National Preparedness Report National Preparedness: Additional Actions Needed to Address Gaps in the Nation's Emergency Management Capabilities The Government Accountability Office examines persistent gaps in emergency management capabilities and the role of FEMA preparedness programs and grants in addressing those gaps. Read the GAO report

  3. 4 Sept

    From Taylor Swift to the Indy 500-Emergency Management Planning for the Big Event with Troy Wymer

    Overview: In this episode of All Hazards Hour, we sit down with Troy Wymer, Deputy State Fire Marshal for Indiana and a veteran of fire service, emergency management, and major-event planning. Troy shares lessons from planning for events ranging from the Indianapolis 500, NBA All-Star Weekend, and Taylor Swift concerts to his work on the safety and security planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. We explore the unique challenges of emergency management planning for large-scale special events. Troy also offers practical advice for emergency managers in smaller communities and discusses how local festivals and events can become valuable opportunities to build relationships, practice unified command, and strengthen preparedness. FEMA: Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety AgenciesSummary: FEMA's IS-15.B course covers pre-event planning, developing a planning team, hazard analysis, and using ICS to manage incidents during special events. Resource: FEMA IS-15.B: Special Events Contingency Planning CISA: Mass Gathering Security Planning ToolSummary: An interactive planning tool designed to help event planners when planning a mass gathering or special event. Resource: CISA Mass Gathering Security Planning Tool CISA: Venue Guide for Security EnhancementsSummary: Provides practical considerations for evaluating a venues risks. Resource: CISA Venue Guide for Security Enhancements DHS: Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR)Summary: DHS uses the SEAR system to evaluate planned special events based on factors including expected attendance, high-profile participants, event type, and significance. Resource: DHS Special Events Coordination and SEAR Guidance FEMA: Large-Scale Events Exercise Starter KitSummary: A practical resource for communities to exercise their ability to manage large events. Resource: FEMA Large-Scale Events Exercise Starter Kit LA28 Olympic & Paralympic GamesSummary: The official LA28 site provides information on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including dates, competition venues, zones, schedules, and the massive multi-venue operational footprint discussed in this episode. Resource: LA28 Official Games Plan and Venues Additional Resource: LA28 Official Games Dates and Information

  4. 28 Aug

    Technical Tidbit- Community Lifelines: Connecting Critical Services for Community Resilience

    Overview: This episode explores Community Lifelines and their role in emergency management. Lifelines identify the essential services that enable a community to survive, function, and recover following a disaster. We discuss how lifelines are interconnected, how disruptions can affect multiple services, and how emergency managers can use lifeline information to establish priorities and communicate community impacts. We also examine the collaboration required to stabilize and restore lifelines among government agencies, private-sector partners, infrastructure owners and operators, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. Takeaways: Community Lifelines focus on essential services necessary for community survival and function.The seven lifelines provide a common framework for assessing disaster impacts and communicating the status of critical services.Lifeline status information supports situational awareness, prioritization, and informed decision-making.Stabilizing lifelines requires coordination among government, private-sector partners, infrastructure owners and operators, and community organizations.Restoring lifelines helps move communities from response toward recovery.Community LifelinesSummary: FEMA's primary resource for understanding the Community Lifelines construct, including the seven lifelines, their components, and how they can be used to identify and communicate critical service impacts. Resource: FEMA – Community Lifelines FEMA – Community Lifelines National Response FrameworkSummary: Describes the nation's approach to disaster response and how federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, private-sector, and nonprofit partners coordinate resources and capabilities. Resource: FEMA – National Response Framework FEMA – National Response Framework Overview of the National Response FrameworkSummary: Provides an introduction to the NRF, including its purpose, guiding principles, response structure, and the roles of partners involved in incident response. Resource: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Overview of the NRF Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Overview of the NRF Community Lifeline Status SystemSummary: DHS fact sheet explaining the Community Lifeline Status System and how standardized lifeline information can improve situational awareness and support emergency management decision-making. Resource: U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Community Lifeline Status System DHS – Community Lifeline Status System EPA Community Lifelines ConstructSummary: Explains FEMA's Community Lifelines construct from a water-sector perspective and how lifelines can help communities understand and communicate impacts to critical water infrastructure and services. Resource: U.S. EPA – FEMA's Community Lifelines Construct U.S. EPA – FEMA's Community Lifelines Construct

  5. 21 Aug

    Answering the Call- Responding to the Mayfield, KY Tornadoes with Tom Neal Indiana Task Force One

    Overview Tom Neal, a member of Indiana Task Force One, joins All Hazards Hour to share his path into emergency management and his experience deploying to Mayfield, KY after the December 2021 tornado outbreak. Indiana Task Force One is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team. He walks us through the challenges of coordinating a large-scale search and rescue operation, the importance of clear communication and resource allocation under pressure, and the emotional toll the work took on responders. Other topics covered; peer support, community resilience, training and preparedness, and how after-action reviews help teams improve for the next deployment. Tom's account offers a ground-level view of what it actually takes to respond when a community is hit this hard, along with lessons other emergency managers can carry into their own planning and response efforts. He also speaks candidly about the moments that stayed with him long after the deployment ended, which grounds the technical parts of the conversation in the human reality of the work. Takeaways Cohesive communication is essential during high-stress deploymentsGathering and verifying intelligence in the field is one of the hardest parts of the jobPeer support plays a critical role in protecting mental health during search and rescue workLocal community engagement strengthens the overall disaster responseResources The December 10-11, 2021 Tornado Outbreak — National Weather Service An interactive overview of the historic outbreak, covering forecasting, warnings, tornado tracks, and impacts across multiple states. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/8243cae7290947b1ab389c56ccb98445?item=1Storm Events Database — NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NOAA's official record of the EF4 tornado that struck Graves County, including its path, 24 fatalities, 210 injuries, and detailed storm information. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=994196Joint Regional Service Assessment: December 10-11, 2021 Tornado Outbreak — National Weather Service A detailed after-action assessment of the outbreak's forecasting, warnings, communications, and response, with particular attention to the catastrophic impacts in Mayfield. https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/NWS_Joint_Regional_Service_Assessment_Dec_10-11_2021.pdfThe Mayfield, KY EF4 Tornado — National Weather Service A meteorological look at the atmospheric conditions, forecasting, and storm development behind the tornado's approach to Mayfield. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9ee7941b6cbd4355870bba46aeba83c0Tornado Recovery Efforts in Western Kentucky — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers An account of the disaster response in Mayfield and Graves County, including debris removal, federal assistance, and coordination with FEMA, state, and local agencies. https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Media/News/Article/3636207/tornado-recovery-efforts-continue-in-western-kentucky/

  6. 14 Aug

    Technical Tidbit- NDEMU- A New Era in Emergency Management Education

    Overview: This episode discusses the evolution of emergency management education, from its origins in the Cold War through the establishment of the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) to the recent development of the National Disaster and Emergency Management University (N.D.E.M.U.), which reflects a shift from technical training to a structured professional continuum. This shift aims to develop leadership, expertise, and knowledge in the field of emergency management, shaping the future of the profession. Takeaways: Evolution of emergency management educationShift from only technical training to professional continuum Resources: National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU)FEMA's national center for disaster and emergency management education, training, and professional development. https://training.fema.gov/ NDEMU: School of National ResilienceProvides training focused on building resilience and strengthening disaster preparedness across communities, organizations, and the broader emergency management profession. https://training.fema.gov/ndemu/schools/school-of-national-resilience/ NDEMU: School of Disaster LeadershipProvides education and training designed to strengthen leadership capabilities for emergency management and disaster response professionals. https://training.fema.gov/ndemu/schools/school-of-disaster-leadership/ NDEMU: Emergency Management InstituteContinues the mission of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute as part of NDEMU, providing education and training for emergency management professionals and partners. https://training.fema.gov/ndemu/schools/emergency-management-institute/ FEMA Independent Study ProgramOffers free, self-paced courses covering emergency management topics for professionals, responders, government partners, and the public. https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/ 70 Years of the Emergency Management InstituteHighlights seven decades of EMI's history and evolution in educating and preparing the nation's emergency management workforce. https://training.fema.gov/70years/ EMI NowExamines the current role of the Emergency Management Institute and its place within NDEMU. https://training.fema.gov/70years/eminow/ History of the Emergency Management InstituteTraces the development of EMI and its role in shaping emergency management education and professional development. https://training.fema.gov/70years/history/

  7. 7 Aug

    Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future- National Emergency Management Awareness Month

    Overview: This episode celebrates National Emergency Management Awareness Month by reflecting on various catastrophic events, including the 1953 North Sea Flood, the Johnstown Flood, the Odisha Super Cyclone, the Halifax Explosion, and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Each disaster highlights how the the lessons learned have helped modern emergency management become what it is today. Takeaways: Lessons from past disasters shape modern emergency management practicesResilience is achieved through understanding vulnerabilities and designing better systems for the future Resources: IAEM National Emergency Management Awareness Month https://www.iaem.org/knowyourem/ 1953 North Sea FloodSummary: A devastating flood that killed more than 2,500 people and led to major advances in flood defense engineering, including the Dutch Delta Works, transforming modern flood risk management. Resource: NASA Earth Observatory – Fighting Back the Sea https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/fighting-back-the-sea-92334/ Johnstown Flood (1889)Summary: The failure of the South Fork Dam killed more than 2,200 people and underscored the need for dam safety, infrastructure maintenance, and organized disaster response. Resource: National Park Service – Johnstown Flood National Memorial https://www.nps.gov/jofl/index.htm Odisha Super Cyclone (1999)Summary: A powerful cyclone that killed nearly 10,000 people and drove major improvements in forecasting, early warning, evacuation planning, and community preparedness in India. Resource: NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory – 15th Anniversary of the Odisha Cyclone https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hurricane_blog/15th-anniversary-of-the-odisha-cyclone/ Halifax Explosion (1917)Summary: The largest human-made explosion before the atomic age, highlighting the need for coordinated emergency response, trauma care, mutual aid, and recovery planning. Resource: Parks Canada – Halifax Explosion Backgrounder https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2017/12/halifax_explosion.html Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)Summary: A magnitude 9.1 earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people, leading to improved tsunami warning systems and international preparedness. Resource: NOAA National Weather Service – The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004: A Wake-Up Call https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heritage/-/the-banda-aceh-tsunami-of-2004-a-wake-up-call

  8. 31 Jul

    Technical Tidbit- Prevention and Protection: Beyond the Four Phases

    Overview: The conversation explores the concepts of prevention and protection in emergency management, distinguishing them from traditional phases and highlighting their importance in modern preparedness. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of these mission areas and their role in creating a layered approach to resilience and safety. Takeaways: Prevention and protection complement the traditional four phases of emergency management.Understanding the distinctions between prevention and protection drives funding, planning, and capability development. Resources: National Protection Framework (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_national-protection-framework-2nd-edition_051525.pdf FEMA's companion doctrine document outlining how communities protect against the greatest threats and hazards to people, infrastructure, and assets. Mission Areas and Core Capabilities (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/mission-core-capabilities FEMA's overview page explaining all five mission areas and the 32 core capabilities tied to the National Preparedness Goal. Infrastructure Security Division (CISA/DHS) https://www.cisa.gov/about/divisions-offices/infrastructure-security-division CISA's page on the division that leads national efforts to secure critical infrastructure through risk management and resilience-building with public and private partners.

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About

The All Hazards Hour podcast explores every aspect of disaster management, featuring real stories and practical insights from emergency managers and disaster responders. Tune in for candid conversations that reveal how communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Email us with comments, suggested topics and guests, and flowery praise at podcast@katmaisolutions.com. To learn more about our sponsor go to www.katmaisolutions.com. New episodes drop every Friday at 12am Alaska Time.

Information

  • Creator
    Katmai Solutions
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Katmai Solutions