When it comes to emergency and disaster management, experience is everything - or is it? In this episode, Doctors Sarah K. Miller, Darcy Leutzinger, and I dive into the often-debated value of higher education in the emergency and disaster management field(s). With more colleges and universities offering “emergency management” and “homeland security” degrees, how do you know which programs are worth your time and money?

We talk about how diverse emergency management has become, how once reliable federal trainings and the science that empowered them are disappearing, and why it’s more important than ever to strive for industry professionalization. In this context, we explore what makes a high-quality program, what to look for in your professors, and whether the fruit of higher knowledge is worth the squeeze of your wallet. I have an MPA in Emergency & Disaster Management, and I’ve been an emergency management professor for many years. That said, I’ll be the first to agree that your mileage may vary depending on the program you choose, the stage of your career, and your desired results.

Whether you’re a student, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

This episode is unabridged and ad-free for paying subscribers at StateofDisaster.com! You’ll hear why and how my guests pursued their PhDs in emergency management, and much more that you won’t see or hear anywhere else. You can receive your 30-day free trial with a .edu email here: https://stateofdisaster.substack.com/4ca84ae3

State of Disaster Episode 2, with Anthony S. Mangeri, MPA, CPM, CEM

In my conversation with my friend Anthony, we discuss the capabilities, funding, and authorities needed to enable disasters to be managed effectively at the local level. Anthony has worn so many hats in government and emergency management, that it provided a perfect opportunity to dig into how Anthony the Town Manager could collaborate with Anthony the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, and all the other Anthonys that play into the disaster paradigm. From local capital funds to grants like BRIC (RIP) to insurance policies, we explore what today’s emergency manager needs to understand about ensuring the longevity of their operations.

In a continuation of Eric Kant’s discussion about the Local Emergency Managers Alliance, we discuss the urgent need for emergency managers to conduct local and regional capability assessments. We also try to look on the optimistic side of the frustration and confusion that we’re experiencing from the federal government - there are opportunities to redefine and improve the way that we approach the work that we do locally.

From my perspective, I think the most important piece of this conversation is the need for a shift in culture, where all sectors are integrating risk mitigation and resilience into all aspects of our communities, starting from the design phase. I even find an opportunity (as usual) to mention the need for marketing to help the public understand the work that we do and the funds we need to do it right.

My final question was for Anthony the professor: “What do students looking to break into the field right now need to be focused on?” Listen to this episode to find out what Anthony’s answer is to this question, and make sure to catch next week’s episode when I interview Sarah Miller, PhD and Darcy Leutzinger, PhD on what prospective students should look for when selecting an emergency and disaster management degree program.

Hello and welcome to the first episode of State of Disaster. I'm your host and Friendly Neighborhood Emergency Manager, Matt Green.

My goal is to bring you to the front lines and behind the scenes of the biggest news, incidents, and innovations happening within the emergency and disaster management field. I'll also be interviewing practitioners, professors, authors, researchers, and survivors. You can find each episode at stateofdisaster.com along with articles, resources, live streams, and more as we grow this community.

This is an uncensored and unfiltered podcast, and we're going to cover some heavy topics. But at the end of the day, this is meant to be entertaining, enjoyable, and a space for you to share your story as well. So if you're an emergency manager, a researcher, a student, a volunteer, an innovator, a survivor, or all of the above, fill out the guest application!

My first guest, Eric Kant’s years of hands-on emergency response have shaped a lifelong commitment to protecting lives, advancing innovation, and leading complex operations. A former Firefighter, Paramedic, and Emergency Manager, he brings deep operational expertise to some of the world’s most challenging disaster and crisis environments.

Today, he leads 4Cast, a Decision Intelligence platform that applies artificial intelligence and systems thinking to understand and manage complex interdependencies across operations.

Mr. Kant has been recognized by the Department of Defense, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, NATO, DHS Science & Technology, and others for his innovative approaches and strategic insight.

His career includes supporting real-time command and control operations during events such as the Florida Night of Tornadoes, the World Trade Center disaster in NYC, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and numerous other nationally significant incidents.

In this episode, we introduce The Local Emergency Managers Alliance: A grassroots initiative that exists to empower local emergency managers through advocacy, innovation, and action. Their mission is to strengthen local preparedness, response, and resilience by reducing dependence on federal support, promoting regional coordination, advancing sustainable funding solutions, and accelerating the adoption of technology and best practices. They unite local leaders to lead with autonomy, act decisively, and build a safer, stronger future from the ground up. They're advocating for the ten actions that local emergency managers need to take right now to prepare for a country without FEMA:

• Build financial reserves
• Strengthen state and regional partnerships
• Prioritize hazard mitigation
• Enhance community preparedness
• Adapt emergency plans for minimal federal aid
• Deepen private sector and NGO relationships
• Track policy changes
• Advocate for your program and community
• Improve damage assessment and documentation
• Prepare for political uncertainty