Disaster Zone
Disaster Zone is hosted by Eric Holdeman, an emergency manager with over 30 years of experience at the federal, state and local levels of government. Disaster Zone is a podcast that focuses on all facets of disasters; the before, during and after of events that are increasingly impacting communities around the world. Podcasts run between 35-45 minutes with a mix of guests covering a range of disasters and issues that flow from them. Story topics and suggestions for people to interview are welcomed. You can contact the host via email.
Episodes
September 16, 2026 • 54 mins
Traffic is something we deal with every day in our work commutes and vacations. When disaster strikes, managing traffic becomes a critical task for local and state jurisdictions. Planning ahead can make all the difference.
Today's guest is Tom Kratt, Senior Vice President Operations - AWP Safety. With 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry, Tom brings extensive expertise and leadership t...
Today's guest is Tom Kratt, Senior Vice President Operations - AWP Safety. With 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry, Tom brings extensive expertise and leadership t...
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August 28, 2026 • 67 mins
We are living in a technological century. Everything we do will have some form of
technology supporting our collective functions. While voice communications have
dominated public safety operations for a hundred years, there is an opportunity today
to incorporate the visual element into how we operate.
The podcast guest is Alex Joyce the company's Head of Tech Safety for LiveU. He
leads a team focused on supportin...
technology supporting our collective functions. While voice communications have
dominated public safety operations for a hundred years, there is an opportunity today
to incorporate the visual element into how we operate.
The podcast guest is Alex Joyce the company's Head of Tech Safety for LiveU. He
leads a team focused on supportin...
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August 11, 2026 • 62 mins
In this podcast we review the highlights from a New Natural Resources Defense Council report, Rebuilding Safer: A Guide to State and Local Adaptation
The podcast guest is Dakota Fisher a Senior Advocate, Adaptation, Environmental Health with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and he works at the intersection of climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, urban and regional planning, data analytics, and comm...
The podcast guest is Dakota Fisher a Senior Advocate, Adaptation, Environmental Health with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and he works at the intersection of climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, urban and regional planning, data analytics, and comm...
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July 20, 2026 • 45 mins
The World Cup has presented some unique challenges for a multitude of agencies and jurisdictions spread over three nations. Security is a paramount consideration for hosting these games. In this podcast we discuss the complexity of the situation and the need for better coordination and information between all the partners engaged in hosting these soccer matches. There is an opportunity to build on what has been accomplished in prep...
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July 9, 2026 • 55 mins
Chris Stewart is the President and Co-founder of IntelliMass Technologies Inc., a road-
intelligence company based in British Columbia. A strategic and ethically-centered
business leader, Chris has spent his career guiding cross-functional teams, developing
commercialization pathways, and transforming innovative technical concepts into
market-ready products.
Driven by the reality that unpaved terrain presents uni...
intelligence company based in British Columbia. A strategic and ethically-centered
business leader, Chris has spent his career guiding cross-functional teams, developing
commercialization pathways, and transforming innovative technical concepts into
market-ready products.
Driven by the reality that unpaved terrain presents uni...
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June 25, 2026 • 77 mins
Trust is a basic ingredient in every relationship. This applies to individuals, marriages,
business partners, nations and the relationship of governments to individuals. Trust is
the topic we are going to explore today and how it applies to emergency management
and disasters.
Kehinde Bolu Adesina, also known as Kenny, is a PhD researcher in Mass
Communication at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College....
business partners, nations and the relationship of governments to individuals. Trust is
the topic we are going to explore today and how it applies to emergency management
and disasters.
Kehinde Bolu Adesina, also known as Kenny, is a PhD researcher in Mass
Communication at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College....
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June 10, 2026 • 52 mins
Flooding continues to be the number on hazard when it comes to disasters. Knowing what area is subject to flooding before a flood, the extent of what that flood impact might be, and then knowing the status of an ongoing flood is critically important. This is the subject of this podcast.
David Tobias the podcast guest serves as the Chief Product Officer at Nearmap Previously, he co-founded Betterview, the leading Prope...
David Tobias the podcast guest serves as the Chief Product Officer at Nearmap Previously, he co-founded Betterview, the leading Prope...
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May 28, 2026 • 59 mins
With every disaster there are legal considerations that come to the fore. In this podcast we explore the experience of one litigator advising FEMA Incident Management Teams (IMAT) and also dealing with damages and reimbursement processes for individuals who own property.
For two decades, LLRA, LLC owner Linda Litke served the United States, first in the U.S. Navy and then as a senior attorney within the Department of ...
For two decades, LLRA, LLC owner Linda Litke served the United States, first in the U.S. Navy and then as a senior attorney within the Department of ...
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May 15, 2026 • 55 mins
Wildfires have become one of the more common natural hazard disasters that can impact people where they live and work. In this podcast we learn about general Firewise solutions to protect homes and then a line of cost effective products that can help keep fire from entering your home. Nicholai Allen is the founder of SAFE SOSS and an active wildland firefighter (FFT1, FFT2, Engine Boss Trainee) in his third year fighting catastroph...
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May 7, 2026 • 59 mins
If you are a nonprofit organization, it means that your goal is to not make money, but provide some form of service or product. The challenge is always how to do that without a steam of money to fund your activities. That is the subject of this podcast. There are tips here for very small organizations and other ideas that will work for very large nonprofit organizations.
James Misner is the Founder and Owner of The Ki...
James Misner is the Founder and Owner of The Ki...
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April 24, 2026 • 57 mins
There are different types of leadership styles. One common on that still persists is using fear as a motivator for people and organizations. We will be exploring the impacts of using fear in the workplace.
The podcast guest Dr. Laurie Cure, Ph.D., is a leading voice in executive coaching, serves as the CEO of Innovative Connections. With a focus on consulting in strategic planning, organizational development, talent m...
The podcast guest Dr. Laurie Cure, Ph.D., is a leading voice in executive coaching, serves as the CEO of Innovative Connections. With a focus on consulting in strategic planning, organizational development, talent m...
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April 15, 2026 • 60 mins
Every state has an emergency management program. It is a reflection of
the hazards a state might experience and the allocation of resources by government to
those risks. In this podcast we learn more about the Oklahoma Department of
Emergency Management.
The podcast guest is Annie Mack Vest, Executive Director of the Oklahoma
Department of Emergency Management. She has 16 years of experience in disaster
mitiga...
the hazards a state might experience and the allocation of resources by government to
those risks. In this podcast we learn more about the Oklahoma Department of
Emergency Management.
The podcast guest is Annie Mack Vest, Executive Director of the Oklahoma
Department of Emergency Management. She has 16 years of experience in disaster
mitiga...
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April 2, 2026 • 60 mins
This podcast focuses primarily on aspects of disasters that impact operations here in
the United States. In this particular podcast we will cast a bigger view at the
international operations of one particular NGO providing disaster services around the
world—that being Project Hope.
The podcast guest is Arlan Fuller who is currently Project HOPE’s director of
emergency preparedness and response. He pro...
the United States. In this particular podcast we will cast a bigger view at the
international operations of one particular NGO providing disaster services around the
world—that being Project Hope.
The podcast guest is Arlan Fuller who is currently Project HOPE’s director of
emergency preparedness and response. He pro...
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March 25, 2026 • 48 mins
If you are a leader, manager, or supervisor, it is likely that you are required and responsible for the completion of performance appraisals for your direct reports. I (Eric) must admit that completing appraisals, be they in the US Army or in civilian life, was not my favorite task to accomplish. The podcast gets into some tips, techniques and even some “wording” that you might consider using as you prepare for, write a...
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March 13, 2026 • 62 mins
The use of drones for public safety is expanding widely. Unfortunately, the opposite is
also true. Drones can be used for many nefarious purposes. In Ukraine they are being
weaponized for war. Drug smugglers are also using them. Other criminal activities can
be promoted and supported with the use of drones. Today we need systems that can
be used by the “Good Guys” to counter the “Bad Guys.” This ...
also true. Drones can be used for many nefarious purposes. In Ukraine they are being
weaponized for war. Drug smugglers are also using them. Other criminal activities can
be promoted and supported with the use of drones. Today we need systems that can
be used by the “Good Guys” to counter the “Bad Guys.” This ...
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March 5, 2026 • 51 mins
Healthcare is an industry that provides critical services to our communities. It is vital
that they are prepared to do that under less-than-ideal conditions—such as when a
disaster strikes. In this podcast we explore what they can do to become better
prepared for any situation, large or small.
Martin Green is an internationally recognized, award-winning Security Management
Professional with more than 45 yea...
that they are prepared to do that under less-than-ideal conditions—such as when a
disaster strikes. In this podcast we explore what they can do to become better
prepared for any situation, large or small.
Martin Green is an internationally recognized, award-winning Security Management
Professional with more than 45 yea...
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February 20, 2026 • 63 mins
There has been a tremendous amount of change brought initiated by the Trump Administration throughout the federal government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is one small part of the changes that have been made and are still underway. The significant nature of the changes are hard to comprehend. This podcast will look at some of the changes that have been made so far and then a contemplation of the impacts of those c...
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February 11, 2026 • 52 mins
The National Guard can be found in every state. They play a unique role in being both a federal and state government asset. In this podcast you will learn about the role of the National Guard in our national defense and also when disasters strike. Our guest represents not only the Washington National Guard, but also emergency management for the State of Washington. Therefore, we’ll also examine the anticipated challenges movi...
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February 5, 2026 • 46 mins
Flooding is the most common hazard we have in the United States. There are many different types of flooding that can occur. Today we’ll be talking with a local flood plain manager about how he and his jurisdiction approaches flood risks.
Helmut Schmidt – Pierce County Planning and Public Works. Floodplain Administrator & Floodplain Services Supervisor. He has 38 years working in floodplain management a...
Helmut Schmidt – Pierce County Planning and Public Works. Floodplain Administrator & Floodplain Services Supervisor. He has 38 years working in floodplain management a...
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January 28, 2026 • 67 mins
2025 has been a year of turmoil when it comes to emergency management. In this
podcast we will be discussing how the future of emergency management will be
shaped from one of the leaders in the profession.
Bryan Koon is the President and CEO of IEM International, Inc., a leading professional
services firm focused on emergency management, disaster recovery, and resilience. At
IEM, he integrates innovative technolo...
podcast we will be discussing how the future of emergency management will be
shaped from one of the leaders in the profession.
Bryan Koon is the President and CEO of IEM International, Inc., a leading professional
services firm focused on emergency management, disaster recovery, and resilience. At
IEM, he integrates innovative technolo...
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Watch
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