Before, During & After

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

A FEMA podcast highlighting innovation in the field of emergency management and sharing stories of communities and individuals recovering after disasters.

  1. 04/25/2024

    Episode 134: Emergency Communications Month - Partnering with CISA to Highlight Key Communication Resources

    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 talking about the CISA and FEMA partnership, and the steps partners can take towards resilience through highlighting key resources like GETS and WPS and other tools to help prepare for and respond to emergencies.

    27 min

  2. 04/18/2024

    Episode 133: A Nod to the Volunteers Who Help in Times of Need

    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 needs of disaster survivors. In celebration of April being National Volunteer Month, this episode will focus on the transformative effect volunteers have on disaster response and recovery. The difference that they make in the lives of disaster survivors and the role they play in supporting FEMA's new individual assistance program reforms.

    42 min

  3. 04/04/2024

    Episode 132: With a Total Solar Eclipse on the Radar, Emergency Managers Talk About How They're Preparing for the Crowds

    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 with this celestial spectacle, at the same time, millions will be captivated across the United States. The day will be filled with festivals and revelers who traveled from far and wide to view the total eclipse in the path of totality. So, on today's episode, we're diving deep into the science behind the phenomenon and general safety precautions with experts from NASA. But then we'll take it back to earth and explore the meticulous planning efforts undertaken by Ohio and Indiana Emergency Management, just two of the states - from Texas to Maine, that are getting ready for April 8th.

    34 min

  4. 03/12/2024

    Episode 130: Streamlining the FEMA Application Process. Empowering Survivors to Rebuild Faster After Disaster

    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 changes to our Individual Assistance Program for new disaster declarations. Those changes will reach more individuals and deliver assistance faster. Just a few months into 2024 and at the beginning of our year of resilience, these updates will serve as a starting point for individuals and families who will have now more flexibility and access to our programs. From quickly providing assistance to people who become displaced to simplifying the application process, FEMA is empowering survivors and their communities so that they can rebuild their lives faster after a disaster. There are so many changes to unpack here, today. So, on this episode, we explore those individual assistance changes and how they could benefit disaster survivors speeding their recovery and helping to build resilience to future hazards.

    54 min

  5. 02/22/2024

    Episode 128: Taking Leadership to the Next Level with the Naval Postgraduate School

    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 strategic plan. One of the many training programs that FEMA supports is the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. This unique program is open to all state, local, tribal, and territorial employees with a nexus to homeland security and emergency management. So, on today's episode, host Troy Christensen, speaks with Heather Issvoran about the center and the different training programs that are offered.

    18 min

  6. 01/25/2024

    Episode 126: Tips on How to Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking

    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 prevent human trafficking." This is an opportunity to build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work. Human trafficking cannot be prevented by any one individual community, organization or government, but building connections is at the heart of what emergency managers do. And to that end, we can be leaders in the effort of prevention. When we partner to prevent, we can enhance our efforts to keep everyone safe from human trafficking. So, on today's episode, we talk to leaders from within the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA about how we all within the public safety and emergency management communities can build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work.

    28 min

  7. 11/30/2023

    Episode 124: A USFA-Led Conversation with the Creators of "Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire," A New Documentary Focused on Cultural Fire

    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 the practice of cultural burning will lead to a healthier ecosystem, long-term fire protection for residents, and provide a platform that will support traditional hunting and gathering activities. The conversation was shared on the USFA podcast and now, we’re sharing the conversation with you.

    31 min

  8. 11/16/2023

    Episode 123: Resilience After Wildfire - The Point Dume Bombers. A Conversation with Journalist Adriana Cargill, Creator of the "Sandcastles" Podcast

    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 variety of unique challenges. The speed and sheer destruction are nothing short of terrifying. Often, nothing is left in their wake. Survivor stories are often harrowing and heartbreaking, but even within the destruction, there are opportunities for hope and resilience. On this episode, we talk with journalist Adriana Cargill, founder of Wave Maker Media, about her podcast "Sandcastles" - a new podcast that dives into the gripping story of the Point Doom Bombers during the Woolsey Fires in California. The story is heartbreaking, thrilling, and inspirational. Over five episodes, Adriana beautifully tells the story of a community coming together amidst the devastation of the wildfires.

    30 min
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4.6
out of 5
92 Ratings

About

A FEMA podcast highlighting innovation in the field of emergency management and sharing stories of communities and individuals recovering after disasters.

Information

  • Creator
    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Before, During & After