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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

Todd T. De Voe

This podcast features strategies and advice from today’s leaders and experts in emergency management. Its purpose is to empower and enrich current and future leaders. 

emnetwork.substack.com

The Emergency Management Network Podcast

Today’s discourse elucidates the pressing issue of wildfire preparedness amid a backdrop of alarming statistics: 17,006 wildfires have already incinerated over 1.6 million acres this year. The National Interagency Fire Center has reported a national preparedness level of 2, with 16 significant fires remaining uncontained and nearly 1,800 personnel engaged in suppression efforts. Concurrently, we explore critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, notably a recently identified flaw in Google Chrome, which underscores the urgency for federal agencies to adhere to an impending remediation deadline. Furthermore, we examine the severe weather patterns currently affecting the central United States, including the potential for devastating thunderstorms and a late-season winter storm. As we navigate through these multifaceted challenges, it is imperative to remain vigilant and informed.

Takeaways:

* The National Interagency Fire Center reports an alarming number of wildfires across the nation, totaling over 17,000 incidents this year.

* Federal agencies must address a newly identified Google Chrome vulnerability before the impending April 15 deadline.

* Severe weather is anticipated across multiple regions, particularly strong thunderstorms and potential tornadoes in the Midwest.

* A state of energy emergency has been declared in Michigan due to soaring gas prices linked to global oil market disruptions.

* FEMA assistance applications for disaster relief in Alaska are due by 11:59 PM local time today, emphasizing urgency.

* Recent winter storms have caused hazardous conditions across the Midwest, leading to widespread travel disruptions and school closures.

Sources

NIFC / Wildfires

* NIFC Incident Management Situation Report — April 2, 2026

* NIFC National Fire News

* InciWeb — Wildland Fire Information Portal

CISA

* CISA adds one KEV — CVE-2026-5281 Chrome zero-day (April 1)

* CISA flags Apple, Craft CMS, Laravel bugs — patching deadline April 3

* CISA Emergency Directive 26-03 — Cisco SD-WAN systems

* CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

FEMA

* FEMA — One more day to apply for disaster assistance (April 2)

* FEMA — Assistance deadline extended to April 3

* FEMA Disaster 4699 — Alaska

NWS / NOAA

* SPC Convective Outlooks

* NOAA Weather Prediction Center

USGS

* USGS Significant Earthquakes — 2026

* USGS Kilauea Volcano Updates

* Alaska Volcano Observatory

DHS / State Department

* DHS National Terrorism Advisory System

* State Department Travel Advisories

* State Department Worldwide Caution

* U.S. Embassy Baghdad Security Alert — April 2, 2026

FDA

* FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts

Alaska

* KDLG — April 3 deadline to apply for October 2025 storm relief

California

* USGS earthquake details — M4.6 Boulder Creek

* ABC News — 4.6 magnitude earthquake rattles Northern California

Hawaii

* Hawaii News Now — State awaits Presidential Disaster Declaration

* Governor Josh Green — April 2026 message

Michigan

* Executive Order 2026-4 — State of Energy Emergency

* Washington Examiner — Whitmer declares energy emergency

Minnesota / Wisconsin

* The Watchers — Winter storm ice, snow Upper Midwest

* The Watchers — Second winter storm intensifies

Nebraska

* KNLV — Statewide burn ban lifted

* WOWT — Governor lifts burn ban as wildfire risk subsides

* KSNB — Ashby and Minor fires near full containment

New Mexico

* NM Fire Info — Current incidents and restrictions

Severe Weather (Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas)

* Cabarrus Weekly — Iowa, Illinois, Missouri severe storm threat Friday

* Washington Post — Severe storms possible from Texas to Illinois

* Fox Weather — Midwest tornado threat

Virginia

* 12 On Your Side — Colonial Heights boil water advisory
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

State Emergency Declarations and Rising Natural Disasters: A Review

The current state of preparedness in the United States is critical, as evidenced by the National Interagency Fire Center’s designation of preparedness level 2, with over 51 uncontained large fires actively threatening various regions. This episode delves into the multifaceted hazards facing the country, particularly the elevated tornado threat spanning several states, including Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, amidst extremely dry conditions that exacerbate fire risks in the Great Plains. We examine the ramifications of a severe weather outbreak that is anticipated to unfold, potentially leading to significant tornado activity and damaging winds throughout the Midwest. In addition, we discuss the ongoing drought conditions in Florida, which represent the worst in a quarter of a century, and the implications of these environmental crises on state resources and emergency responses. Furthermore, we highlight FEMA’s reopening of applications for disaster mitigation funding, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure in light of these escalating risks.

Takeaways:

* The National Interagency Fire Center has reported 51 uncontained large fires currently burning across the nation.

* Severe weather warnings have been issued for several states, highlighting the potential for significant tornadoes and severe wind gusts.

* FEMA has reopened applications for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, with $1 billion in funding available for hazard mitigation projects.

* Florida is facing its worst drought in 25 years, prompting emergency measures and burn bans across numerous counties.

* The State Department has elevated its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates due to escalating security threats following regional conflicts.

* A tornado watch is currently in effect for large portions of Oklahoma, indicating a significant risk of severe weather events.

Sources

NIFC / Wildfire

* NIFC — National Fire News

* NIFC — IMSR Wednesday April 1, 2026 (PDF)

* NIFC — Monthly/Seasonal Outlook, April 1, 2026 (PDF)

NWS / Severe Weather

* NWS Storm Prediction Center — Convective Outlook

* NWS SPC — Day 1 Convective Outlook Apr 1, 2026

* NWS SPC — Day 2 Convective Outlook Apr 1, 2026 (April 2 threat)

* Cabarrus Weekly — Iowa/IL/WI/IN/MO EF2+ tornado threat April 2

* Cabarrus Weekly — KS/OK/TX/KY/VA/MD/NJ severe setup April 1

* OKC Fox — Tornado Watch issued for majority of Oklahoma

* Newsweek — Tornado map, risk level across TX/KS/OK

* WTRF — Flood Warning portions of Ohio Valley

Texas

* TDEM — Governor Abbott activates state emergency resources (March 4, 2026 release)

* Texas Governor — Abbott activates resources ahead of severe storm risk

FEMA

* PBS NewsHour — FEMA complies with court order, resumes BRIC grant program

* WSAW — FEMA resumes BRIC after yearlong hiatus (March 26, 2026)

DHS / NTAS

* DHS — National Terrorism Advisory System

CISA

* CISA — BRICKSTORM Backdoor Malware Analysis Report

* CISA — Warning on BRICKSTORM malware, PRC state-sponsored actors

* Industrial Cyber — CISA, NSA update BRICKSTORM with Rust-based variants

Travel Advisories

* Travel and Tour World — UAE Level 3 Travel Advisory, April 2026

* Meskerem.net — Ethiopia Travel Advisory updated April 1, 2026

* Travel.State.Gov — Travel Advisories

USGS / Volcanoes

* USGS HVO — Volcano Notice April 1, 2026 (Kilauea)

* USGS HVO — Volcano Notice April 1, 2026 (Kilauea update)

* Hawaii Volcano Expeditions — Episode 44 forecast April 6-14

Hawaii

* Hawaii News Now — Hawaii still awaits word on Presidential Disaster Declaration (April 1)

* Hawaii HIEMA — March 2026 Kona Low Storms disaster page

* Al Jazeera — Flash flooding swamps Hawaii, 5,500 evacuated (March 2026)

Nebraska

* Wikipedia — 2026 Nebraska wildfires

* Omaha World-Herald — Nebraska wildfire updates: Morrill fire state’s all-time largest

* Nebraska Governor Pillen — Documents addressing wildfires

North Carolina

* NCAGR — Wildfire activity intensifies, 626 new ignitions over 10-day period

* WECT — Woman accused of starting 420-acre wildfire in NC mountains (April 1)

Florida

* Fox Weather — Florida fire danger spikes, extreme drought at 25-year high

* Wikipedia — 2026 Florida wildfires

Virginia

* 12 On Your Side — Colonial Heights under boil water advisory (April 1)

California

* Bloomberg — California snowpack at 18%, drought and wildfire risks grow (April 1)

* Insurance Journal — California Drought, Wildfire Risks Grow (April 2)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Severe Weather Warnings: A Comprehensive Overview for April 2, 2026

Severe thunderstorm activity is forecasted to traverse a broad corridor from the mid-Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley and into the southern Great Lakes, prompting notable concerns regarding potential hazards such as damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes. As this atmospheric threat persists, Governor Greg Abbott has taken proactive measures by directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management to pre-position state emergency response resources in anticipation of the severe storms targeting northwest and central Texas. Furthermore, the National Interagency Fire Center has reported an alarming number of uncontained wildfires across the nation, emphasizing the need for vigilance in fire-prone areas, particularly in Western North Carolina, where active wildfires have been exacerbated by drought conditions. The episode will also delve into critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, specifically the urgent need for federal agencies to patch a significant flaw in Citrix Netscaler by April 2. Finally, we will provide updates on the status of volcanic activity at Kilauea, maintaining a watchful eye on this dynamic geological phenomenon.

Takeaways:

* A significant weather event involving severe thunderstorms is occurring across multiple states.

* The National Interagency Fire Center reported numerous large uncontained fires are burning nationwide.

* Texas has pre-positioned emergency response resources due to expected severe storm activity.

* Active wildfires in North Carolina are exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions and debris.

* Cybersecurity vulnerabilities have been identified in critical systems requiring immediate action by federal agencies.

* Illinois and Kansas are under severe thunderstorm warnings with damaging winds and hail reported.

Sources

NOAA / NWS / SPC

• Storm Prediction Center — Day 1 Convective Outlook, March 31, 2026 (1300 UTC)

• Storm Prediction Center — Day 4–8 Severe Weather Outlook, March 31, 2026

NIFC / InciWeb

• NIFC Incident Management Situation Report — March 31, 2026 (0730 MDT)

• NIFC National Fire News

USGS / Volcanoes

• USGS HVO Volcano Notice DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-03-31T17:42:59+00:00 — Kīlauea alert WATCH/ORANGE

• Kīlauea Volcano Updates — USGS

• Exciting Kīlauea Lava Update: Episode 44 expected in April — Hawaiʻi Volcano Expeditions

CISA

• CISA Flags Actively Exploited Citrix Bug CVE-2026-3055 — April 2 Federal Deadline

• Citrix NetScaler CVE-2026-3055 KEV Entry — CISA

• CISA Cybersecurity Advisories

• ICSA-26-090-01: Anritsu Remote Spectrum Monitor (authentication bypass) — ASSURANT

• ICSA-26-090-02: PX4 Autopilot (MAVLink unauthenticated command execution) — ASSURANT

• CISA ICS Advisories Page

Texas

• Gov. Abbott Activates State Emergency Response Ahead of Severe Weather — TDEM (March 31, 2026)

• Texas Activates Emergency Response Resources Ahead of Severe Weather — San Angelo Live

North Carolina

• NC Agriculture: Statewide Burn Ban Issued — March 28, 2026

• NC Agriculture: Marion Woman Charged with Causing Jumping Branch Wildfire — March 31, 2026

• WNC Wildfire Updates for Monday, March 30, 2026 — WLOS

• Statewide Burn Ban as Wildfires Burn Across Western NC — WHQR

• Marion Woman Cited, Accused of Starting Jumping Branch Fire — WLOS

Oklahoma

• High Fire Danger and Red Flag Warnings Grip Oklahoma as Multiple Large Fires Persist — Oklahoma Farm Report (March 30, 2026)

• FEMA Fire Management Assistance: Oklahoma Jumping Juniper Fire — SafeguardProperties

South Carolina

• Dorchester County: Boil Water Advisory Starting March 31 — Official Notice

• Planned Water Outage and Boil Advisory on March 31 for Portion of Dorchester County — WTMA

Hawaii

• USGS Volcano Notice: Kīlauea WATCH/ORANGE, March 31, 2026
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

National Fire Preparedness Level: A Critical Overview

The primary focus of today’s discourse is the ongoing wildland fire activity, which currently maintains a nationally coordinated preparedness level of 2. Despite the occurrence of 342 fires and the emergence of 18 new large incidents, all fires are being managed under a comprehensive suppression strategy. In addition to fire management, we delve into pressing matters concerning cybersecurity, specifically addressing the newly identified exploited vulnerabilities that require immediate attention from organizations to ensure timely remediation. Furthermore, we examine a significant public health concern, namely the multi-state E. Coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Raw Farm brand raw dairy products, emphasizing the FDA’s ongoing investigation and the precautionary measures advised for affected products. As we traverse various states, we provide updates on fire containment status and the potential threats posed by these incidents, underscoring the necessity for vigilance and preparedness in these critical situations.

Takeaways:

* The national wildland fire activity currently operates at a preparedness level of 2, indicating a need for continued vigilance.

* Recent reports indicate that there are currently 342 fires and 18 new large incidents across the nation.

* Organizations should prioritize patching newly identified vulnerabilities to mitigate potential cybersecurity threats effectively.

* The FDA is actively investigating a multi-state E. Coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with certain raw dairy products, emphasizing the importance of food safety.

* The U.S. Department of State has updated travel advisories, maintaining a level 2 alert for various risks including crime and civil unrest.

* Several states report ongoing wildfires, with specific incidents detailing containment percentages and active fire behavior, necessitating close monitoring.

Sources

NIFC / Wildland Fire

* NIFC/NICC Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) — March 30, 2026 (PDF)

CISA / Cyber

* CISA — Latest Operational Information (alerts feed)

* CISA — Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) CSV feed (shows “Date Added” entries)

FDA / Public Health

* FDA — Outbreak Investigation: E. coli O157:H7 linked to RAW FARM-brand raw dairy products (Current Update: March 30, 2026)

U.S. Department of State / Travel Advisories

* State Dept — Gabon Travel Advisory (updated March 30, 2026)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Public Health Advisory: E. Coli Outbreak Investigation

The salient point of today’s briefing centers on the critical fire weather conditions that have been elevated across specific regions, particularly the Intermountain West and the central Southern Plains. I am Cedric, and this is your EM Morning Brief for Monday, March 30, 2026. The National Weather Service has issued warnings regarding the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms, especially from the Upper Mississippi Valley extending into the Great Lakes area during the coming nights. In addition, we address the hazardous boating conditions in the Lake Tahoe region due to rapidly building waves, as well as a statewide burn ban in North Carolina, restricting all open burning until further notice. We conclude with updates from various states, including advisories in Georgia and Texas, underscoring the importance of remaining vigilant during these variable weather conditions.

Takeaways:

* The National Weather Service has issued warnings for critical fire weather conditions today.

* Severe thunderstorms are anticipated in the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions.

* A lake wind advisory has been issued for the greater Lake Tahoe area due to hazardous conditions.

* A precautionary boil water advisory has been enacted in Perry, Georgia, following a water main break.

* North Carolina has implemented a statewide burn ban, prohibiting all open burning activities.

* The City of Killeen, Texas, has lifted a boil water notice for specific properties.

Sources

NOAA / NWS (National)

NWS — National headline summary (fire weather + severe storm potential)

NOAA / NWS (Lake Wind Advisory — Tahoe)

NWS Reno — Lake Wind Advisory text (Greater Lake Tahoe Area)

North Carolina

NWS Special Weather Statement feed — burn ban language carried in statement stream

Georgia

City of Perry, GA — Water main break / precautionary boil water advisory (posted March 29, 2026)

Texas

City of Killeen, TX — Boil Water Notice lifted (posted March 29, 2026)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Critical Fire Weather Conditions: The EM Morning Brief

The podcast episode elucidates the current state of Federal Wildland Fire activity, indicating an elevated preparedness level due to 41 uncontained large fires across the nation, which threaten structures and necessitate road closures. We delve into the latest reports from various regions, including the alarming incidents in Alabama and New Mexico, where residences are jeopardized by extreme fire behavior. Additionally, we provide updates on volcanic activity, specifically highlighting the ongoing unrest at Shishaldin volcano and the paused eruption of Kilauea, both of which warrant close monitoring. Our discussion further encompasses the implications of these incidents on local communities and the urgent need for response measures. As we conclude, we emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of such natural threats.

Takeaways:

* The National Interagency Fire Center has reported an elevated preparedness level due to significant wildland fire activity across the nation.

* Currently, 41 large fires remain uncontained, necessitating close monitoring of structures threatened and road closures in affected areas.

* The CISA has released updates on known vulnerabilities, highlighting the urgency for federal remediation actions on specific vulnerabilities.

* Multiple states are experiencing severe wildfire incidents, with reports detailing structures threatened and active fire behavior in several regions.

* Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is exhibiting signs of paused eruption activity, yet continues to show slow inflation and intermittent glow at its vents.

* Various states, including Florida and New Mexico, report extreme fire behavior with numerous residences under threat, demanding immediate attention and response.

Sources

NIFC / Wildland Fire (National)

NIFC — Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) PDF — national PL, uncontained fires, state incident summaries

CISA / Cyber (KEV)

CISA KEV (GitHub mirror) — known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json — catalog version/dateReleased and new CVE entry

CISA KEV (GitHub repo) — update schedule and source note

USGS / Volcano (Hawaii)

USGS HVO notice — Kīlauea status update (eruption paused; inflation/monitoring notes)

USGS / Volcano (Alaska)

USGS AVO notice — Shishaldin unrest update (ADVISORY/YELLOW; elevated seismic/infrasound; plume/SO₂)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Emergency Preparedness: Understanding the Current Wildfire Landscape

Wildland fire activity remains the predominant national operational signal, as articulated in the most recent National Interagency Coordination Center Incident Management Situation Report. The report indicates that the national preparedness level is sustained at PL3, with multiple large incidents threatening residential structures in various southern regions, specifically in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Each state has been meticulously analyzed, with significant incidents such as the Twin Creek Fire and Hancock Mill Pond139 highlighted, alongside pertinent details regarding their containment status and the behaviors of the fires. The complexities of fire activity across these states necessitate diligent monitoring and resource allocation to mitigate their impacts effectively. This brief encapsulates the critical updates and serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by wildland fires in our communities.

Takeaways:

* The National Interagency Coordination Center Incident Management Situation Report identifies national wildland fire activity as a significant operational concern.

* The report indicates that the southern region maintains a preparedness level of PL3 amidst multiple large-scale incidents threatening residences.

* Detailed summaries of specific large fires across several states reveal a diverse range of fire behaviors and containment statuses.

* Significant incidents in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida are highlighted, illustrating the widespread nature of current fire threats.

* The IMSR provides comprehensive updates on fire incidents, including containment efforts and the number of structures at risk across affected regions.

* Overall, the latest updates emphasize ongoing fire risks and the immediate need for vigilance in response efforts.

Sources

National wildland fire (NIFC/NICC)

NICC Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) — Mar. 25, 2026 (PDF)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Understanding the Impact of Recent Fires: A State-by-State Overview

The episode elucidates the current status of wildland fire activity, emphasizing that the Southern Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3, with numerous large fires threatening structures and residences across multiple states. We provide a comprehensive overview of significant incidents, including those in Alabama, Colorado, and Florida, where extreme fire behavior has been reported, leading to considerable risks to nearby communities. The discussion also includes pertinent advisories from CISA regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities that necessitate immediate action to mitigate risks. Furthermore, we touch upon recent seismic events, such as the magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Tonga, which, while not resulting in a tsunami threat, underscores the importance of situational awareness in the Pacific Ring of Fire. We conclude with an examination of public health concerns, specifically a meningococcal disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the need for vigilance in travel advisories.

Takeaways:

* The Southern Area Preparedness Level has reached a critical status of Level 3 due to numerous large wildfires threatening structures and residences.

* A recent advisory from CISA emphasizes the urgent need to mitigate critical risks associated with unauthenticated command execution on commercial control systems.

* The Pacific Ring of Fire remains a significant focus of attention following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Tonga, despite no tsunami threat being reported.

* The CDC has issued a travel notice regarding an outbreak of meningococcal disease in a health zone of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, underscoring the importance of public health awareness.

* Numerous states are currently experiencing substantial fire activity, with reports indicating active fire behavior and threats to both structures and residences.

* The FAA has provided updates on potential thunderstorms affecting air traffic in central Florida, highlighting the need for vigilance in aviation safety.

Sources

DHS

* DHS News Release — Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary (Mar 24, 2026)

* DHS Newsroom — “There are no current advisories” (NTAS status shown on DHS newsroom pages)

CISA

* CISA ICS Advisory — Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller vulnerability (Published Mar 24, 2026)

* CISA ICS Advisory — Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS vulnerability (Published Mar 24, 2026)

* CISA ICS Advisory — Grassroots DICOM memory leak vulnerability (Published Mar 24, 2026)

Wildland fire activity (NIFC/NICC)

* NIFC/NICC Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) — PDF (Published Mar 24, 2026)

Aviation

* FAA — Statement on Air Canada Express incident at LaGuardia (Mar 23, 2026)

* NTSB — Investigation page: Air Canada Express Flight 8646 collides with fire truck at LGA (Event date Mar 22, 2026; includes media briefings)

* FAA — Daily Air Traffic Report (Mar 24, 2026)

Earthquake and tsunami messaging

* USGS — Event page: M7.6, 153 km W of Neiafu, Tonga (Reviewed)

* Reuters — No tsunami threat after deep M7.6 near Tonga (Mar 24, 2026)

Public health

* CDC — Travel Health Notices: Meningococcal Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Mar 24, 2026)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Critical Incident Management Situation Report

The predominant focus of this podcast episode is the ongoing national wildland fire activity, which remains a critical operational concern as of March 24, 2026. Numerous large fire incidents are currently under suppression across the United States, with specific areas reporting evacuations and the imminent threat to residential properties. The National Interagency Fire Center has provided detailed situational reports, indicating moderate to extreme fire behavior in various states, including Alabama and Florida. Additionally, updates on volcanic activity in Hawaii and Alaska are discussed, with Kilauea and Great Sitkin exhibiting elevated seismic activity. As we navigate these pressing concerns, it is imperative to remain informed and heed official guidance regarding safety and evacuation protocols.

Takeaways:

* National Wildland Fire Activity is currently the foremost operational concern across the nation.

* The National Interagency Fire Center reports numerous large fire incidents under suppression nationwide.

* Evacuations and area road closures are being reported, particularly in the Plains and Pacific regions.

* Ongoing volcanic activity is being closely monitored in Hawaii, particularly at Kilauea.

* Travel advisories have been issued by the US Department of State regarding Middle East travel.

* Various states report incidents of extreme fire behavior, threatening residences and prompting evacuations.

Sources

NIFC / Wildland fire (National)

* NIFC Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) — daily national wildland fire activity, closures/evacuations, threatened structures

USGS Volcano updates

* USGS HVO Daily Update — Kīlauea status (WATCH/ORANGE) and activity summary

* USGS AVO Notice — Great Sitkin activity update

U.S. Department of State / Global events

* Consular Information for Americans in the Middle East — current operational guidance and contacts
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Volcanic Activity and Fire Reports: An In-Depth Analysis

Host: Todd DeVoeCo-Host: Andrew BoyarskyGuest: Shannon McNamee, Author of Strategic Disaster Coordination

Episode Overview

Despite decades of investment, disaster response continues to struggle under pressure. The issue is not a lack of effort or experience. It is structural.

In this episode, Todd DeVoe and Andrew Boyarsky sit down with Shannon McNamee, author of Strategic Disaster Coordination, to examine a critical gap in the United States' disaster response. This is not a critique of performance. It is a conversation about system design.

Emergency management in the U.S. is built for incidents that are bounded, short-term, and controllable. Disasters are none of those things. Rather than redesigning the system, we have expanded it—adding layers, complexity, and cost without addressing the underlying mismatch.

This discussion focuses on the operational and strategic implications for emergency managers across all levels of government. The all-hazards framework remains essential, but the scale, duration, and interconnected nature of disasters demand a system built specifically for them.

About the Guest 

For more than 15 years, Shannon McNamee has worked at the center of disaster response and coordination—leading operations, building cross-sector partnerships, and designing training that strengthens real-world readiness. Through her roles with FEMA and the American Red Cross, she helped guide large-scale response and recovery efforts while supporting planning, training, and policy development across all levels of government and community partners. As a consultant, she has focused on turning lessons learned into lasting, practical improvements.

She is the author of Strategic Disaster Coordination, a book that challenges conventional thinking in emergency management by arguing that the core issue is not performance, but system design. Drawing on field experience, policy analysis, and research, the book outlines why the current model falls short in disasters—and offers a framework for building a system intentionally designed for them.

Key Themes & Takeaways

Disasters ≠ EmergenciesEmergency systems are built for short, contained incidents. Disasters are prolonged, complex, and disruptive. Treating them the same creates failure points.

It’s a Design ProblemThe issue isn’t training or resources. The system is built for control and stabilization, not long-duration, networked crises.

More Layers, Same ProblemsWe respond to each disaster by adding plans and structures, increasing complexity without improving outcomes.

Old Thinking, New RisksCold War-era assumptions still shape policy, but modern disasters are nonlinear, interconnected, and unpredictable.

Why Lessons RepeatRecurring failures aren’t accidental. They are produced by the system itself.

Misaligned FrameworksA security-driven model has influenced disaster management, often at the expense of resilience and recovery.

Building What’s MissingEffective disaster management requires intentional design—integrated, adaptive, and built for how disasters actually unfold.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

The Architecture Problem: Why Disaster Management Keeps Falling Short

Episode Title

The Silent Failure Mode: When Nothing Happens

Episode Description

In emergency management, success is often defined by what doesn’t happen. No disasters. No major incidents. No headlines. And for a while, that quiet feels like validation.

But over time, silence can become dangerous.

In this episode, we explore the silent failure mode—the slow erosion of preparedness that occurs during long periods without crisis. When nothing happens, budgets shrink, plans gather dust, institutional memory fades, and readiness quietly degrades. The system does not fail loudly. It simply thins out.

This conversation is not about blaming leaders or chasing fear. It is about recognizing complacency as a structural risk and understanding why preparedness has a shelf life, even when everything appears calm.

If you have ever been told “we haven’t needed that in years,” this episode is for you.

What We Explore

• Why quiet years are often the most dangerous for emergency management programs• How “no incidents” can be misread as proof that preparedness is unnecessary• The political and organizational incentives that reward visibility over readiness• Complacency as a hidden hazard inside stable systems• Why preparedness degrades without friction, rehearsal, and institutional memory• How emergency managers can reframe value when nothing is actively happening

Key Takeaways

Preparedness is not a permanent state.Silence is not evidence of resilience.Readiness requires maintenance, storytelling, and intentional friction.The absence of crisis is not success—it is a test of discipline.

Who This Episode Is For

• Local and state emergency managers• Public safety leaders navigating budget pressure• Policy professionals and city managers• Anyone responsible for readiness in quiet times• Practitioners trying to explain the value of preparedness without a disaster

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

The Silent Failure Mode: When Nothing Happens

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