Beyond the Quad: Emergency Managers in Higher Education
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 responsibility of keeping students, staff, and visitors safe while advancing resilience across higher education. This conversation shines a light on a niche profession that deserves recognition for its vital role in safeguarding the future of our universities.
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The Next Responder: Imagining AI as a Team Member
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 speed, prediction, and coordination, along with the very real risks, from over-reliance to ethical blind spots. As AI becomes standard in the field, emergency managers will need to evolve into emergency orchestrators, guiding people, machines, and data in real time.This isn’t just a shift in tools. It’s a shift in mindset, leadership, and responsibilities.
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Recovery Unpacked - The Epilogue
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 more resilient future after disasters.To bring it all full circle, we welcome back three of our most insightful voices and former federal executives: host and in this episode guest, Chris Smith, IEM’s Director of Individual Assistance and Disaster Housing; Marion McFadden, IEM’s Vice President of Recovery; and Anne Bink, IEM’s Director of Recovery. Together, they help us bridge the lessons from each episode, examine how these programs intersect in practice, and share what successful, survivor-centered recovery looks like.Whether you’re a seasoned recovery professional or simply curious about how disaster recovery works behind the scenes, this final installment offers a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation on where we go from here.
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Special 3-Part Series: Recovery Unpacked - Community Recovery
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 Recovery and former HUD senior executive, alongside Seana O’Shaughnessy, CEO and President of CHIP (Community Housing Improvement Project). Together, they unpack how CDBG-DR funding gets allocated, who it serves, and the kinds of projects it makes possible, from rebuilding homes to revitalizing entire communities. We also tackle the complexities: the red tape, the timelines, the prep work, and the push for innovation in recovery. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to rebuild a community after a disaster, this conversation pulls back the curtain.
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Special 3-Part Series: Recovery Unpacked - Individual Assistance
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 of the mic alongside Elizabeth DiPaolo, IEM Project Manager and former FEMA Region 8 IA Branch Chief. Together, they unpack how IA works, what it covers, and why it’s often misunderstood.Our guests dive into how eligibility is determined, what assistance survivors can realistically expect from the IA program, and how partners play a vital role in delivering aid. As communities transition from immediate relief to long-term recovery, our guests explore who needs to be at the table to ensure survivors stay connected, informed, and supported throughout their recovery journey.
IEM Unscripted presents DisasterSmiths, a dynamic podcast that dives into the heard of disaster resilience. Join us as we explore the practical solutions, innovative programs, and dedicated service delivery crafted to aid disaster survivors and fortify communities. Our mission is clear – to make our communities more resilient in the face of adversity.
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