Disaster Tough Podcast

The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency Management, from which this is being recorded. Our guests are also field experts who provide their insights in our conversation based podcast. Discussions with emergency managers revolve around the entire disaster life-cycle. We provide solutions based on training and backed by data. We share experiences of emergency response and identify the lessons learned through our own version of after action reporting. This is conversation mode activated. We are known for flipping from serious to humor without warning. Try to keep up in our weekly podcasts! About Doberman Emergency Management. We provide customized plans, mitigates hazards, delivers training, and supplies emergency products to meet the unique needs of clients. We identify and solve the Nation’s most complex incidents. That’s our job.

  1. May 28

    2026 FIFA World Cup Final Prep

    As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, emergency managers, stadium operators, law enforcement, hospitals, transportation agencies, airports, and public safety leaders are entering a critical final phase of readiness. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, John Scardena breaks down the six core pillars of Dynamic Population (DyPop) emergency management planning and response that every host city, venue, and public safety organization should be focusing on before major global events. Drawing from real-world experience supporting stadiums, large-scale events, emergency services, and national preparedness initiatives, this episode explores how emergency management must move beyond paperwork and become an integrated operational support function for those protecting life, property, and continuity of operations during high-consequence events. Topics include mass care and reunification planning, multilingual emergency communications, public information and public relations coordination, rumor control, counter-terrorism readiness, CBRNe response considerations, drone threats, situational awareness, human trafficking awareness, evacuation procedures, crowd behavior analysis, medical transport coordination, triage planning, hospital surge coordination, transportation disruptions, and emergency coordination between stadiums and cities. This episode also highlights the importance of collaboration between emergency managers, law enforcement, fire services, hospitals, transit systems, organized fan groups, and federal partners including the FBI, Secret Service, National Guard, and emergency response agencies supporting the FIFA World Cup and other mega-events. Listeners will gain practical insights into: FIFA World Cup emergency preparedness Stadium emergency management best practices Dynamic population response planning Emergency evacuation coordination Public safety and crowd management Mass casualty incident preparedness Medical surge and triage operations Human trafficking awareness during large events Drone and counter-UAS security concerns Public information officer (PIO) coordination Crisis communications and rumor control Stadium security and situational awareness Emergency management leadership during major events Multi-agency coordination for mega-events Transportation and transit disruption planning Cultural considerations during international sporting events Whether you are preparing for the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, Super Bowl, concerts, conventions, or other large-scale gatherings, this episode provides actionable emergency management strategies to help communities improve readiness, strengthen coordination, and protect the public during complex events involving dynamic populations. Disaster Tough Podcast continues to bring together emergency management leaders, first responders, military experts, public safety professionals, and crisis leadership practitioners to improve national readiness and resilience through real-world lessons learned and operational discussions.

    23 min
  2. May 26

    Drew Downing: Choosing the Right Hard, Gratitude & Building Trust

    In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with emergency management thought leader and Logista co-founder Drew Downing for a candid discussion on the future of emergency management, readiness, and disaster resilience. Known for his influential social media content and honest takes on the profession, Downing explores why the field struggles with credibility, burnout, and measuring true readiness. The conversation dives into prevention versus response, the limitations of traditional funding, and how communities can better measure readiness by focusing on resilience and self-sustainability rather than simply how quickly help arrives. Using examples from public health, wildfire response, and international emergency management models, the episode challenges conventional thinking about what it means to truly prepare communities for disasters. The discussion also tackles leadership, communication, and relationship-building within emergency management organizations. John and Drew examine why emergency managers need stronger storytelling and communication skills to build trust with elected officials and stakeholders. From the importance of “reading the room” to balancing data with emotional intelligence, the episode highlights how credibility and human connection often matter more than reports or metrics alone. The conversation also explores mitigation, recovery challenges, community vulnerability, and lessons learned from European civil preparedness models and modern conflict zones. Packed with practical insights and honest reflections, this episode offers emergency managers, public health professionals, and resilience leaders a fresh perspective on choosing “the right hard” in disaster management. #disastertough #EmergencyManagement #Readiness #Resilience #Leadership #Preparedness #DisasterResponse #PublicHealth #Mitigation #Recovery #RiskManagement #CommunityResilience

    43 min
  3. May 19

    Erin Scardena: Business Partner, Designer and Emergency “Momager”

    Check out more DTP content here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtplinks In this special Mother’s Day edition of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes his wife, business partner, and creative force behind the brand, Erin Scardena, for an authentic conversation on leadership, marriage, communication, and entrepreneurship. Dubbed the unofficial Emergency “Momager” episode, the discussion explores the realities of building a business while raising a family, balancing creativity with operations, and learning how different people process decisions under pressure. Erin shares insights from her professional background in graphic design and higher education, including work with major clients and her current role teaching typography and design principles, while also revealing how strong communication and trust have shaped both their marriage and their business success. The episode delivers practical leadership lessons for entrepreneurs, emergency managers, and professionals navigating high-performance environments at work and home. John and Erin discuss managing creative control, giving constructive feedback, and understanding different communication styles and emotional intelligence in both business and family life. Their candid reflections on working together, raising children, and supporting one another through career growth create a relatable and inspiring conversation about resilience beyond disaster response. The episode highlights how strong teams are built through trust, humility, communication, and shared purpose, whether in emergency management, entrepreneurship, or marriage. #DisasterTough #Momager #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #Communication #MarriageAndLeadership #CreativeLeadership #EmergencyManagement #Resilience #SmallBusiness #WorkingParents

    16 min
  4. 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

    52 min
4.9
out of 5
84 Ratings

About

The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency Management, from which this is being recorded. Our guests are also field experts who provide their insights in our conversation based podcast. Discussions with emergency managers revolve around the entire disaster life-cycle. We provide solutions based on training and backed by data. We share experiences of emergency response and identify the lessons learned through our own version of after action reporting. This is conversation mode activated. We are known for flipping from serious to humor without warning. Try to keep up in our weekly podcasts! About Doberman Emergency Management. We provide customized plans, mitigates hazards, delivers training, and supplies emergency products to meet the unique needs of clients. We identify and solve the Nation’s most complex incidents. That’s our job.

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