The Readiness Lab

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Aug 10

As I Exit... The Bridge Builder, New Beginnings, and Gratitude

Thank you for everyone who supports the journey, we are about a great work!
Jun 26

5 Executive Problem Solving Skills For Emergency Managers

What separates exceptional leaders from everyone else? It isn't intelligence, experience, or authority—it's the ability to solve the right problems. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, we explore executive problem solving through the lens of emergency management and explain why the principles used to coordinate disasters can improve decision-making in any profession. We begin by defining emergency management as the strategic coordination of emergency services to protect life, property, and continuity of operations. Every executive problem should ultimately support one or more of these objectives: protecting people, safeguarding assets, or ensuring continuity of operations with our partners across the emergency support functions and political / executive leadership. In this episode, we break executive problem solving into five practical principles: Ask Better Questions – The quality of the solution is determined by the quality of the question. Leaders must identify the real problem rather than react to symptoms.Define the Outcome – Start with the end in mind and never lose sight of it. Every decision, meeting, investment, and action should move the organization measurably closer to the desired outcome.Seek Objective Truth – Build a team that provides data-driven analysis and honest assessments. Great leaders rely on objective evidence, understand risk, and embrace uncomfortable truths over opinions.Organize for Execution – Brilliant strategies fail without disciplined execution. Strong project management, accountability, prioritization, and organization transform ideas into measurable results.Lead Through Others – No executive can perform every role. The responsibility of leadership is to ask the next important question, empower talented people, remove obstacles, and keep everyone relentlessly focused on the mission and desired outcome.The episode also explores why the phrase "the ends justify the means" has no place in effective leadership. If achieving your objective requires compromising your principles or ethics, the problem was likely defined incorrectly or the strategy was flawed from the beginning. Sustainable success comes from pursuing the right outcome through disciplined, ethical execution.
03/12/2021

Interview with United Kingdom's Chem/Bio Counter Terrorism Expert, Dr. Stephen Johnson

Dr. Stephen Johnson and host John Scardena discuss the intersection of emergency management and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) field activities. Steve provides advice on how to become an expert, talks about the differences between CBRNe and HazMat, and next steps to protect the public from these catastrophic events. We also talk about the Beirut Explosion on this week's episode. Dr. Stephen Johnson's Current Activities (as described from Cranfield University) "Stephen Johnson is the Course Director for the MSc in Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation, which explores other hazardous incidents e.g. CBRN and Fire. He actively works with Police, Fire, OGDs and International Organizations on themes of terrorism, CBRNE, intelligence and forensic science. This has included the FCO, ICRC, London Fire Brigade, SO15 and the International Institute of Criminal Investigation. He teaches on or delivers the following courses: Hazardous Forensics Forensic Intelligence and Exploitation Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosive Devices Fire and Explosion Investigation Counter IED Capability Royal Engineer Force Protection Course Terrorism Risk Management and Mitigation He regularly lectures on Police CBRN courses around the UK, Imperial College London (On explosive devices), University of Rome Tor Vergata and previously at Georgetown University. Steve's research investigates the exploitation of forensic evidence for intelligence purposes and ranges from CBRNE detection through to Open Source Intelligence. He has supported research with a wide range of British and American and International Universities. On CBRN he worked with Sussex, Bath and LSE on CBRN investigations in Syria. A significant phase of research was funded by Pool Re (The Government Terrorism Re-Insurance Pool), on modelling the impact and forecast of terrorism attacks. Steve serves on a wide range of working groups, panels and advisory boards. He has provided comment for the media on CBRNE and terrorism. He has currently taken a 2 year posting as the SO2 Training Policy (C-CBRN) heading up the Counter CBRN roadmap preparing the Field Army and wider Defence.
09/03/2025

Cameron Hamilton | Former Acting FEMA Administrator

Looking for more DTP content? Check us out here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links On May 7, Cameron Hamilton testified before Congress that abolishing FEMA would put Americans at risk. Hours later, his access was revoked, and he was effectively fired by the Trump Administration. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Hamilton shares the inside story of that testimony, the fallout with DHS, and why he chose survivors over politics, even though it cost him his job. Host John Scardena calls FEMA the “IRS of disasters” because so much of the agency’s work revolves around grants, reimbursements, and auditing rather than direct disaster response. Hamilton explains why FEMA has become overloaded with non-core missions and why shifting responsibilities to other agencies is smarter than eliminating FEMA altogether. Hamilton also discusses his survivor-first reforms, including the FEMA “pizza tracker” for disaster assistance, and his belief in empowering regional leaders to act quickly, even at the risk of audit scrutiny. Drawing from his background as a Navy SEAL medic and State Department crisis responder, he shares hard-won lessons on leadership, risk-taking, and team building. Listen now for Cameron Hamilton’s unfiltered perspective on FEMA reform, survivor-centric leadership, and why he risked his career to speak honestly before Congress.
Aug 5

George Sichler’s Lessons Learned from a Life of Service

George Sichler has a background in the NYPD Special Operations Division and he has learned many lessons about how to understand and prepare for hazards, including CBRN. George now uses his experience to help individuals and family prepare. Find out more at www.mirasafety.com/george Please visit our sponsors! L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com
09/13/2022

Preparedness Works - Episode 1 - Preparedness Works!

An introduction to the purpose of the show, why it's called what it is, what we can learn from a certain wizarding school, a lesson in economic disasters (...or rather an emergency in Economics class), and how preparedness helps you help others. Please support this podcast by visiting our sponsors! Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: info@dobermanemg.com. Sawyer Products offers the best, most technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water & injuries–everything from water filtration systems to insect repellents. So, if you’re at work, at home, or at play- make sure you check out Sawyer at sawyer.com Please visit our sponsors! L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com
Apr 28

Major General Kelly, US Army Corps of Engineers- Leadership, Resilience, and National Readiness

Check out more of our content here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this latest episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes back Major General Jason Kelly of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for a deep dive into leadership, resilience, and national readiness heading into the 2026 disaster season. The conversation centers on executive decision-making under pressure, including Kelly’s three-question framework for leaders: creating organizational value, stewarding talent, and sustaining long-term performance. Through real-world examples like the Potomac River sewage crisis and Winter Storm response operations, Kelly emphasizes agility, risk assessment, and the importance of acting decisively even amid uncertainty. The episode highlights how trust, relationships, and mission-first thinking enable effective coordination across federal, state, and local partners in high-stakes emergency management environments. Looking ahead, the discussion explores flood forecasting, infrastructure resilience, and evolving national risk conditions, with cautious optimism for a “normal to below normal” flood season tempered by the reality that even one major event can strain systems. Kelly underscores the Army Corps’ rollout of Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program, reinforcing a culture of action over bureaucracy and the critical role of partnerships in delivering outcomes. From personal insights on burnout and sustainability to strategic perspectives on national resilience, this episode offers actionable leadership lessons for emergency managers, policymakers, and infrastructure professionals alike. #DisasterTough #EmergencyManagement #Leadership #Resilience #USACE #Infrastructure #DisasterResponse #RiskManagement #PublicSafety #HurricaneSeason #FloodRisk #NationalSecurity
03/04/2025

The Secret Nuclear Bunker at The Greenbrier Resort

I toured a former Cold War era secret government bunker under The Greenbrier Resort. Formerly known as Project Greek Island, this bunker was meant for members of Congress to wait out nuclear war, before emerging to legislate whatever remained. Let's talk about the bunker, its development and features, and the dedicated team who secretly kept the bunker ready to use for over 30 years until it was exposed by journalist Ted Gup in an article cleverly titled "The Last Resort." Please visit our sponsors! L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Podcast Network Prepaerdness Works is part of The Readiness Lab Podcast Network For sponsorship requests: contact@thereadinesslab.com or visit our website: www.thereadinesslab.com Please visit our sponsors! L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulse Doberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com Check out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com
04/05/2022

Interview with Homeland Security Officer Sgt. Nick Golden

As the Homeland Security Officer for the Atlanta Fire Department, Sergeant Nick Golden is very familiar with being "thrown into the fire" when it comes to handling Emergency situations. In addition to his current role with the Atlanta Fire Department, Nick is a paramedic, certified law enforcement officer, and emergency manager. Nick believes strongly in collaboration between agencies and professionals in situations of potential emergency. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, Nick discusses how readiness and collaboration make response more effective. He also recounts experiences where being ready allows for steady leadership and effective response in times of crisis. Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: info@dobermanemg.com. We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport.
03/29/2022

Master of the Preparedness Arts - Interview with The Preparedness Guy

What's the difference between a doomsday prepper and a Master of the Preparedness Arts? Practicality. The Preparedness Guy is an Emergency Manager who looks to help everyone be practically prepared for anything, and does so by taking his vast knowledge of readiness to the masses online. With thousands of followers on Instagram, his channel aims to educate everyone to prepare like pros and hence become Emergency Managers in their own homes and families. Along with his work in Emergency Management, The Preparedness Guy also has experience as a combat medic, CBRN responder, and HAZMAT Technician. In this episode, he not only talks about his Emergency Management work on Instagram and the inspiration behind it, but also how you don't have to be a "Doomsday Prepper" to be ready for anything. Doberman Emergency Management owns and operates the Disaster Tough Podcast. Contact us here at: www.dobermanemg.com or email us at: info@dobermanemg.com. We are proud to endorse L3Harris and the BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: L3Harris.com/ResponderSupport. FS Global in partnership with Tiger Tech has created the first reusable, electronic, FDA approved, COVID-19 test. Strap it to your arm, get a reading - it’s that simple. Sterilize and reuse. Amazing technology! For more information on the COVID PLUS TEST, click here: https://www.fsglobalsolutions.com

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