Disaster Zone Eric Holdeman

Emergency management and crisis leadership demand more than technical skills and knowledge in today’s fast-paced and complex world. To better access information on demand, make appropriate decisions, and lead most effectively, it is essential to understand how the brain works. A critical cognitive skill set known as executive function (EF) is at the heart of effective decision-making in high-pressure situations.Leaders with robust EF skills are at a distinct advantage. They are better equippe...

A recent cascade of solar flares and coronal mass ejections has ignited vibrant auroras, stretching as far south as Alabama and Northern California. However, alongside this spectacle comes the potential for disruptions to Earth's communications systems throughout the upcoming weekend. This special rebroadcast episode covers "space weather". Everyone is familiar with the functions of the National Weather Service (NWS) and its role in forecasting the weather here on earth. They also have a...

Since 2020 John Carr and Samantha Montano have been studying disaster movies and how they influence the public’s perceptions of disasters. Multiple researchers attributed the prevalence of disaster myths to disaster movies, but no empirical studies had supported or refuted that claim.John Carr is a disaster Researcher and Educator out of Kansas City, Missouri. John's research interests include citizen engagement in disasters, CERT teams, rural emergency management, and disaster movies. John i...

The emergency management community and average citizens are always interested in the disaster response aspect of a catastrophe. That interest fades dramatically as a disaster transitions to the recovery phase. With that in mind, this podcast takes a more in-depth look at the policy implications of the recovery phase of the Maui Firestorm of 2023. The guest for this podcast is Luke Meyers, the Disaster Management Coordinator for the State of Hawaii, who works for the Governor. For the Ma...

In this podcast Pete Gaynor, the immediate past Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security shares his experiences and ideas on how to hire staff at all levels. He put a special emphasis on hiring and was personally involved in the selection process for senior positions at FEMA.Today he continues to lead by hosting training sessions on “Leading During Crisis.” You can learn more about that at his website, www.femapete.com There are ...

In this podcast we have a wide-ranging discussion about the importance of weather to business and government operations around the world. Getting actionable weather forecasts has never been more important. We learn how these forecasts can be both pinpoint and actionable by incorporating what is about to happen with your operational procedures to both protect people and property. The podcast guest is Jonathan Porter, who is AccuWeather’s Senior Vice President, Weather Content and Forecast...