May 5, 2025Podcast

Emergency Management Professionals Gather

In this episode we talk about a conference a few months back that was attended by both Becky DePodwin and Kyle Nelson. Becky is our Emergency Management disaster expert and Kyle has experience in meteorological issues and is also an educator for emergency managers on social media use and information management during disasters and major events.

The International Association of Emergency Managers conference was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The next event will be on November 14-20 in Louisville, Kentucky. The topic of the 2025 event is “Champions of Change.”

Dr. Joe Holley was also on the call and our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Unusual Weather Patterns and Storms

Sam, Becky, and Kyle discussed the unusual weather patterns in their respective areas. Sam mentioned the snow medic’s experience with thunderstorms at night, while Kyle shared that the high country was experiencing chilly nights but had received some precipitation.

Becky reported a nasty storm in Ohio and Pennsylvania, causing power outages and damage. The team also discussed the concept of a derecho, a storm producing high wind over a distance, and its potential impact. They also touched on the high wind conditions in the high country.

IAEM Annual Meeting Recap

In the meeting, Becky and Kyle discussed their experiences at the International Association of Emergency Managers annual meeting in Colorado Springs. Kyle, a long-time member, was drawn to the event through colleagues and enjoys the networking opportunities and the Crisis Technology Center.

Becky, who supports her client at the event, noted the presence of various exhibitors, including software providers and government agencies. The attendees are primarily emergency managers from state and local levels. The meeting also touched on the diverse topics discussed, including the National Weather Service’s vision and the challenges of rural emergency management.

Inclusive Alerting for Deaf Community

Becky discussed the importance of understanding the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community in disaster situations. She highlighted the need for accessible alerting and the ongoing efforts to include multiple languages, including American Sign Language, in alerts.

Sam shared her past work with the deaf community and expressed relief that things have improved. Becky also mentioned the need for more emotional expression in sign language, as emphasized by the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Building Connections at Professional Conferences

The team discussed the importance of attending professional conferences for networking and building connections. They shared their experiences of meeting and staying in touch with people they met at conferences, both online and offline.

The team emphasized the value of these connections in solving problems and finding solutions to new challenges. They also highlighted the benefits of getting involved in committees, boards, and other organizational activities to further develop these connections. The team encouraged others to attend conferences and get involved in their respective fields to build a strong network of friends and professionals.

Conferences, Connections, and Birthday Wishes

In the meeting, Sam, Jamie, Becky, and Kyle discussed their experiences at various conferences, including the Ems conferences and the Authors Conference. They reminisced about their time at these events, including the mass shooting incident in Las Vegas and the friendships they formed.

Jamie mentioned the support of Dr. Joe and the Paragon Medical Education Group, which enables them to continue hosting the show. They also discussed the importance of attending conferences for professional connections and learning opportunities. The conversation ended with plans for future conferences and a birthday wish for Dr. Joe.

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