Planning for and Mitigating Disaster Effects with Global Guardian

Disaster Podcast

Chuck Costanza joins the Disaster Podcast team tonight. He’s the Vice President of Client Engagement for Global Guardian. They provide global threat assessments for companies, helping them protect their employees from the effects of things like major disasters.

The team discusses global security issues surrounding things like climate change. It affects many areas of global security like mass migrations, sea level rise, and destabilizing food supplies. The impacts are wide ranging with many disaster-related situations, like major hurricanes and other weather events.

Global Guardian Hurricane Preparedness Guide

The episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and featured disaster emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin, and disaster meteorologist, Dan DePodwin.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

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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.

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Podcast Discussion Summary

East Coast Power Outage Discussion

Jamie, who was supposed to co-host, was unable to participate due to a power outage caused by a storm on the east coast, outside Baltimore. Sam introduced Becky and Dan as meteorologists to discuss the weather situation, and Chuck joined to talk about disaster management for businesses.

The meeting officially started with Sam introducing the topic as the “Disaster Podcast,” focusing on the east coast power outages and upcoming discussions on disaster management.

Extreme Heat Wave Discussion

The group discussed recent extreme weather patterns, particularly record-breaking heat in the Northeast and Midwest, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees in New York City and Boston. Dan explained that while the intense heat would subside, warmer conditions would persist, especially in the western United States as July approaches.

Becky emphasized the importance of heat safety and checking on neighbors, while Sam and Chuck, both located in Colorado, noted the region’s relative relief from humidity.

Climate Change and Security Impacts

Chuck Costanza, a former senior advisor at the U.S. Department of State, discussed how climate change impacts global security, including migration, water scarcity, and sea level rise. Dan from AccuWeather confirmed that the upcoming hurricane season is expected to be above average, with up to 19 named storms, including 5 major hurricanes.

The discussion highlighted the importance of business preparedness for extreme weather events, with Chuck offering a hurricane preparedness guide for sharing.

Hurricane Preparedness and Business Continuity

Chuck and Sam discussed the importance of preparing for hurricanes, emphasizing business continuity and the need for proactive planning. Chuck highlighted the necessity of designating roles and responsibilities within an organization, as well as establishing relationships with external partners for resource support during emergencies.

They also addressed the challenges of remote work, accountability issues, and the need to update emergency plans annually to account for changing weather patterns and new hazards. Becky agreed, adding that plans should be reviewed regularly to assess and prepare for evolving risks, such as migration to new regions and increased exposure to unfamiliar weather events.

Business Emergency Planning Strategies

Becky emphasized the importance of comprehensive emergency planning for businesses, highlighting the need to consider both economic and human factors. Chuck discussed the challenges of relying on external partners during disasters, citing examples from Asheville and Hawaii, and stressed the importance of having contingency plans and updated contact information for employees. The group also explored the difficulties of accounting for remote workers during emergencies, particularly when traditional communication methods fail.

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness Strategies

Sam and Chuck discussed disaster preparedness and response, emphasizing the importance of both centralized and individual disaster plans. They highlighted the role of disaster recovery contractors, insurance companies, and the potential for remote work capabilities in the aftermath of a disaster.

Sam stressed the significance of after-action reviews to learn from past experiences and improve future responses. Becky agreed, suggesting that lessons could be learned from other regions’ experiences, even if a community was not directly impacted.

Disaster Planning for Businesses

Chuck advised businesses to start disaster planning by working with experienced personnel, reviewing existing resources, and conducting tabletop exercises to identify specific needs and strengths. He emphasized the importance of having clearly defined roles and responsibilities within an organization for effective disaster response.

Hurricane Safety and Preparedness

The discussion focused on hurricane intensification and safety measures. Dan explained that rapid intensification of hurricanes, particularly over warm waters with low wind shear, can lead to dangerous Category 5 storms, citing Hurricane Michael as an example. He emphasized that while wind damage is significant, storm surge and freshwater flooding from rainfall pose the greatest threat to life.

Sam highlighted the importance of preparedness for families and businesses, including having backup power, communications, and evacuation plans, while Chuck noted that businesses must prioritize employee safety through comprehensive duty of care programs.

Global Guardian Emergency Response

Sam and Chuck discussed Global Guardian’s emergency response capabilities, highlighting their experience in handling natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. They emphasized the importance of having pre-established relationships with emergency response teams and the value of Global Guardian’s global network, which enabled them to quickly mobilize resources from different countries.

Chuck encouraged potential clients to learn more about Global Guardian’s services through their website and membership program, and advised listeners to contact 911 in emergencies.

Global Guardian Disaster Preparedness Insights

The meeting focused on disaster preparedness and emergency response, with Chuck from Global Guardian providing insights into their services and resources available for individuals and businesses. Participants discussed the importance of planning ahead and utilizing tools like Global Guardian’s offerings to stay prepared. The conversation also touched on social media presence and future podcast appearances, with plans to invite Chuck back for further discussions.

Sam thanked Dr. Joe and the team at Paragon Medical Education Group for their continued sponsorship, highlighting the customizability of their training resources.

Catch the full episode using the player above or on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Disaster Podcast for weekly insights from leaders in disaster response and research!