The Emergency Management Network Podcast Todd T. De Voe

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed in service to our nation. Memorial Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude as we pay tribute to those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms and values we hold dear.
The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the aftermath of the American Civil War, a conflict that tore our nation apart and claimed countless lives. As the war ended in 1865, communities across the country began holding ceremonies to honor the Union and Confederate soldiers who had perished. One of the earliest known ceremonies occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1865. There, a group of freed slaves gathered to commemorate fallen Union soldiers buried at a local race course, a poignant moment in our nation's history.
The first national observance of Memorial Day, then Decoration Day, was declared by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868. He designated this day as a time to decorate the fallen graves with flowers and hold ceremonies in their honor. The name "Decoration Day" reflected this tradition of adorning the final resting places of our heroes with blooms of respect and remembrance.
As the years passed, Memorial Day evolved into a day of national significance, honoring all Americans who died while serving in the military. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May, giving us a designated day to remember and honor our fallen heroes.
Today, Memorial Day is marked by parades, speeches, and ceremonies at military cemeteries and other sites nationwide. We gather in towns and cities, at monuments and memorials, to ensure that the sacrifices of our service members are never forgotten. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the true cost of freedom and the bravery of those who have defended it with their lives.
As we stand here today, let us reflect on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the men and women who have died in service to our country. Their legacy is one of honor and valor, and their memory inspires us to strive for a future worthy of their sacrifice.
Let us also remember the families of our fallen heroes, who carry the weight of loss every day. Their strength and resilience are a testament to the enduring spirit of our nation.
Today, take a second or two to bow your head in silence to honor those who have given everything for the United States of America. May we never forget their sacrifice and continue to uphold the values and freedoms they fought for.
Thank you.


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In the Emergency Management Network series hosted by Todd DeVoe, Jason Hurley and Sarah Bonk from Erie County, New York, discuss their experiences with emergency communication, particularly during crises like blizzards. They emphasize the importance of setting up a call center for crisis communications, recounting the establishment of the "snow line" during the 2022 blizzard. This hotline helped manage a range of issues from locating towed vehicles to coordinating medical treatments.
Jason and Sarah highlight the necessity of public outreach and effective communication strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations. They discuss the importance of using clear, understandable language in public messaging and the role of community partnerships in maintaining service networks during emergencies.
Sarah discusses the mental health aspects of managing emergency call centers, stressing the need for real-time support and post-crisis care for call takers. They also mention using tools like WebEx and Cisco for remote operations and the significance of annual training to prepare for future emergencies.
The conversation concludes with Todd's light-hearted question about the Buffalo Bills' chances of winning the Super Bowl, to which Jason expresses optimistic support.


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Transcripts were produced by Streamyard and edited for easier reading. The content has not been changed
Good afternoon, everybody. This is Todd DeVoe, your host of the Emergency Manager Network. We are starting a new series brought to you by DLAN, where we'll be discussing various ideas in emergency management, policy ideas, and how we can move things forward.
Today, we're focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning and how these technologies impact emergency management and decision-making. Tim Matheson from Buffalo Computer Graphics and Eric Kant are joining me. We'll have an in-depth conversation about machine learning and AI.
First, let's welcome Eric to the show. Hey, Eric, welcome.
Hey, thank you for having me, Todd. Glad to be here.
Absolutely. I'm going to bring Tim in, too. You know each other, so no formal introductions are necessary, but we'll do some self-introductions in a moment. Eric, could you give us a quick background on yourself? Your background is impressive, from what you've done in the past to what you're doing now and how you're using AI.
Sure. My background has been one of luck and privilege. I started as a firefighter-paramedic in both New York and Florida, where I experienced six presidentially declared disasters. During that time, I was with a very progressive department, and we implemented cutting-edge software, hardware, and processes, even in the mid-90s. I then helped build out systems for disasters like 9/11, Katrina, and Sandy. During those years, I met Tim and Buffalo Computer Graphics, and we worked on several interoperability projects. In the last few years, I've been focused on decision intelligence, applying what is now termed AI, although many of us have been working with these concepts for at least a decade.
AI is indeed an interesting and somewhat misunderstood term. We often hear about ChatGPT as AI, but there's more to it. Tim, could you introduce yourself and talk about what you guys are doing at Buffalo Computer Graphics?
Thanks, Todd. I'm the Director of Products at Buffalo Computer Graphics, and we develop incident management software. Incident management software can encompass a wide range of functions, from situational reporting to resource tracking and documentation. AI is becoming a significant part of this as more people want to use their data to make informed decisions.
Thanks, Tim. And thank you for the work you guys are doing at Buffalo Computer Graphics. AI is often misinterpreted, especially with tools like ChatGPT. Eric, can you explain what AI really is?
Absolutely. AI is defined by governance and regulations, which is crucial. For instance, the White House Executive Order and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act offer broad definitions of AI, covering various technologies from regression algorithms to more advanced systems. When we talk about AI, it could mean many different technologies, such as machine learning models, neural networks, and natural language processing, among others.
When it comes to large language models like ChatGPT, they're essentially statistical tools guessing the next word or phrase based on patterns in the data they were trained on. They don't truly understand language; they operate on tokens, which are sequences of characters and spaces.
Let's discuss using AI in emergency management. We had a discussion about using language models to write emergency messages on the fly, but we agreed that's not a great idea because you need human oversight. However, language models can help create more inclusive messages by refining the language used.
I completely agree. Using a large language model for on-the-fly emergency messaging is risky. However, it can be useful for planning and ensuring messages are clear and inclusive. For instance, it can help refine directions or instructions to avoid ambiguity.
Exactly. Now, Eric, could you talk about decision intelligence and how it integrates with AI to help make decisions in emergency management

 Dscript produced the transcripts; some paragraphs were lightly edited from the audio version for easy reading. However, the spirit of the conversation is the same. There are conversations about mental health, suicide and the impact of disasters on our fellow humans.
Welcome everyone to the Emergency Management Network podcast, your go-to source for all things related to disaster management and helping you create a disaster-resilient community.thein-depth 
 Welcome everyone to the Emergency Management Network podcast, your go-to source for all things related to disaster management and helping you create a disaster-resilient community.  We are the trusted voice in emergency management as we continue to grow, evolve and enhance your listening experience. 
We're introducing a few changes that will bring even more depth and insight to the conversations that matter the most in our field.  We're expanding our format to include in-depth interviews with leaders and pioneers in emergency management. We'll delve into detailed discussions that impact disaster policy and tackle current challenges.
Topics and explore the cutting edge of our field.  We want to hear from you during this conversation and the EMN substack page, where you can read articles, leave comments, and become part of the growing community for those who want more from EMN.  We encourage you to become a paid supporter, and your contributions will not only help us keep the conversation going but also enable us to bring you more content that you love and the expert insights you need.
As a paid supporter, you'll gain access to exclusive content and inside information, making your support even more impactful and appreciated.  Before we delve into today's episode, I want to thank Buffalo Computer Graphics and the International Association of Emergency Managers for their ongoing support of the Emergency Management Network.
The commitment helps us continue to bring these crucial discussions to you. So whether you're a professional in the field, a policymaker, or someone with a keen interest in emergency management, there's something here for everyone. Be sure to follow us on Substack and consider supporting us in accessing exclusive content and insider information. 
This week, I was interviewed by Christina Silva, who graciously permitted me to share this entire conversation.  Stepping into the interviewee's shoes was a refreshing challenge for me,  and our dialogue was genuinely impactful. We delved into some intense topics, though, including mental health and suicide prevention, with a particular focus on the veteran community.
And how they can transition and explore a career in emergency management,  a field that I'm deeply passionate about. I hope you find this segment engaging. Let's get into the show. 



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AI in emergency management revolutionizes the entire disaster lifecycle, from preparedness to recovery, by harnessing advanced algorithms to analyze vast data sets for risk assessment and proactive planning. AI empowers decision-makers with real-time insights from diverse sources during crises, optimizing resource allocation and response strategies. Automated tools streamline tasks like damage assessment and risk communication, while simulation models enable scenario planning for more effective interventions. In the aftermath, AI aids in post-disaster analysis, guiding long-term recovery efforts by identifying needs and optimizing rebuilding strategies. AI enhances emergency management's agility, efficiency, and resilience, ensuring more effective responses to disasters and emergencies.


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As we bid farewell to another remarkable year, we stand united in our commitment to resilience, preparedness, and the well-being of our communities. Together, we have faced challenges, embraced innovation, and continued to strengthen the bonds that define our emergency management family.
In 2023, your dedication to safeguarding lives, property, and the environment has been inspiring. Whether responding to natural disasters, coordinating emergency plans, or enhancing community engagement, each of you has played a crucial role in creating a safer and more resilient world.
As we step into 2024, let the spirit of hope and positivity guide us forward. May this new year bring fresh opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth. Let's celebrate the successes of the past and channel that energy into building an even more robust, adaptive, and compassionate emergency management network.
May the coming year be filled with triumph, camaraderie, and shared achievements. May our collective efforts continue to impact the lives of those we serve positively.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Emergency Management Network. Wishing you a joyful, prosperous, and fulfilling New Year! 🌟
Stay resilient, stay prepared, and let's make 2024 a year to remember!
Cheers to a Happy New Year!



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