IEM Unscripted: DisasterSmiths™

You sent the alert. You issued the order. You did everything right. So why didn’t they leave?

In this episode of DisasterSmiths™, a local emergency manager and a resiliency officer get honest about one of the hardest problems in emergency management: the gap between the message that goes out and the decision that gets made.

They break down why fear-based messaging often backfires,how trust built on blue-sky days determines who l...

When a severe storm tears through a mountain community in Tennessee, the real work begins the moment the rain stops. In this episode of DisasterSmiths, we sit down with a mayor who experienced recovery firsthand, from the coordination, the critical decisions, and what it takes to move a community from disaster declaration to meaningful progress through FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

He’s joined by IEM subject matter experts a...

The award letter arrives. The headlines hit. The community exhales. Your agency has been allocated CDBG-DR funds. Now what?
In this boots-on-the-ground episode, we sit down with Chuck Lane, Director of Disaster Recovery Resources for Pasco County, Florida, recently awarded its CDBG-DR allocation, alongside IEM leader and subject matter expert Tim Lagudi. Together, they unpack what happens after the celebration fades: navigating ...

As Season 2 of the DisasterSmiths™ comes to a close, we sit down with IEM leadership to reflect on a defining year for emergency management. In 2025, shifting federal priorities, expanding responsibilities, heightened accountability, and accelerated expectations tested the sector at every level – federal, state, local, and territorial – forcing the profession to adapt while continuing to deliver results amid the demands of disaster...

As a pre–New Year’s gift to our DisasterSmiths listeners—and as fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things ourselves—we’re heading straight into the Upside Down to tackle a question no one in Hawkins seems to ask: who would run their Incident Command? (Spoiler warning: we assume you’ve made it past Season 1.)
In this special episode, we put a fun (and slightly chaotic) spin on real Incident Command System (ICS) principles, blending our l...

As a small holiday gift to our DisasterSmiths listeners, we are serving up a special episode that tackles the most important emergency management question of the season: who would run the Incident Command Structure (ICS) at the North Pole?
With a festive spin on real emergency management concepts, we blend holiday chaos, questionable staffing choices, and plenty of seasonal cheer as we build Santa’s ICS using some of our most be...

When severe weather threatens, information isn’t just data—it’s a lifeline. In this episode of DisasterSmiths, we delve into the behind-the-scenes partnership that transforms forecasts into life-saving action. Meteorologists translate the science, emergency managers translate the risk, and together they deliver the clarity communities need to make informed decisions quickly. Our guests break down how this collaboration works in rea...

In this episode of DisasterSmiths™, step into the complexworld of emergency management in big cities and urban areas, where every decision carries weight and every incident brings a new set of challenges. Urban emergency managers work under constant pressure, balancing politics,public expectations, and the immense responsibility of keeping millions safe. Their work unfolds in crowded streets, aging infrastructure, and moments when ...

In this community-driven episode of DisasterSmiths™, we dive into the world of rural emergency management, where challenges are big, resources are few, and resilience runs deep. Rural leaders face unique challenges, yet they rise to them with creativity, grit, and the unwavering support of their neighbors. From navigating limited budgets and widespread populations to relying on the power of trust, volunteers, and strong relationshi...

From bustling game days to the quiet moments of overnight operations, emergency management in higher education never takes a day off. In this episode, we dive into the world of collegiate emergency management, a unique and demanding field that spans large-scale event coordination, critical infrastructure protection, community planning, and crisis response. We’ll highlight how campus emergency managers balance the round-the-clock re...

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is no longer a futuristic concept. It is already shaping how disasters are predicted, managed, and responded to worldwide. In this episode, we explore why AI should be seen not just as a tool and a partner in crisis management. Our hosts are joined by AI subject matter experts to explore the real-world benefits of incorporating AI into emergency planning, response, recovery, and mitigation, such as s...

In this post-special series episode, the DisasterSmiths™ take a moment to reflect on the journey through our three-part “Recovery Unpacked” series, connecting the dots between immediate response and recovery, survivor support, and long-term community rebuilding. From FEMA’s Public and Individual Assistance programs to HUD’s CDBG-DR program, we’ve explored the critical programs that help communities recover, rebuild, and reimagine a...

We are closing out our “Recovery Unpacked” series with a deep dive into one of the most substantial, impactful federal recovery programs: HUD’s Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). Unlike other programs that focus on immediate relief, CDBG-DR is built for the long game, helping communities rebuild stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

This episode features Marion McFadden, IEM's Vice President of Recov...

In part 2 of the DisasterSmiths Special Series, we explore FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program, a crucial support system for disaster survivors that provides direct services and financial aid for unmet needs. Unlike Public Assistance, IA is designed to help individuals and families begin their recovery.
This time, our host Chris Smith, IEM's Director of Individual Assistance and Disaster Housing, takes a seat on the other side...

In part 1 of the DisasterSmiths Special Series, we dive into one of FEMA’s most essential disaster recovery tools: the Public Assistance (PA) Program. From clearing debris to rebuilding public infrastructure, PA funding plays a critical role in helping communities bounce back after federally declared disasters. The Smiths are joined by Anne Bink, IEM Director of Recovery, and Jake Ganieany, Bureau Chief of Mitigation and Recovery f...

What happens when a rural desert county of 7,000 people transforms into a pop-up city of 70,000 practically overnight? In this episode, we step into the playa with the emergency management and event planning professionals who help make Burning Man possible—and safe. Our guests include the local emergency manager for Pershing County, Nevada, and a Director from within the Burning Man project. Together, they offer a rare behind-the-s...

DJ, drop that beat! This DisasterSmiths episode hits differently. 

Our DisasterSmiths hosts are turning up the volume on resilience, diving into the powerful role music plays in recovery after disaster. From community singalongs to global benefit concerts that raise millions, music becomes more than a mood after a crisis; it becomes a movement. Join our hosts as they explore how songs from artists like Led Zeppelin and Kacey Musgra...

When disaster strikes, it's not just power grids and roads, rather entire local economies hang in the balance. In this compelling episode of DisasterSmiths, we pull back the curtain on Business Emergency Operations Centers (BEOCs). Sometimes overlooked, BEOCs are vital hubs where public agencies and private enterprises join forces in crisis. Joined by seasoned experts, our hosts dive deep into how BEOCs serve as the bridge betw...

When disaster strikes, leadership and coordination can mean the difference between chaos and recovery. In this gripping episode, we explore the high-stakes partnership between emergency managers and elected officials. These leaders must work in lockstep to protect and serve their communities. While their roles and perspectives may differ, their mission is the same: to lead with clarity, act decisively, and restore order amid crisis...