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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

Why do we freeze when we should act? Why do organizations wait for the crisis to end before changing? In this episode, Todd DeVoe and Brian Colburn unpack the psychological trap of normalcy bias and its close cousin, complacency — the silent killers that erode readiness long before disaster strikes.

Drawing from behavioral science, real-world emergency management experience, and leadership philosophy, they explore how our brains resist change, why “business as usual” is so seductive, and how leaders can build cultures that recognize danger without panic and adapt without hesitation.

From the OODA and POP-DOC loops to the quiet moments before chaos hits, Todd and Dan challenge emergency managers to confront the most dangerous phrase in the field: “It’s fine — we’ve always done it this way.”

Show Notes:

Hosts: Todd T. DeVoe & Brian ColburnProduced by: The Emergency Management NetworkEpisode Length: ~45 minutesKey Themes Covered:

* Understanding Normalcy Bias: Why our minds reject disruptive information and how that plays out in disasters.

* Complacency as Organizational Decay: How routine and comfort create blind spots that make us brittle, not resilient.

* Lessons from the Field: Real-world examples where complacency cost time, trust, and sometimes lives.

* Cognitive Loops for Leaders: How frameworks like OODA and POP-DOC help break the freeze-response and restore situational awareness.

* The Moral Imperative of Readiness: Why awareness isn’t paranoia — it’s professionalism.

* Cultural Antidotes: Creating workplaces where curiosity and adaptation are rewarded more than compliance and comfort.

Referenced Concepts & Thinkers: John Boyd’s OODA Loop, Eric McNulty and the NPLI POP-DOC model, Daniel Kahneman’s cognitive biases, and Stoic and Taoist perspectives on awareness and control.
 

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

Normalcy Bias and Complacency

Show Notes — Not the Critic Who Counts, But the Leader Who DaresHosted by Todd DeVoe and Dan Scott

In this powerful episode, Todd and Dan dive deep into one of the most timeless lessons on leadership, courage, and purpose — inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s legendary “Man in the Arena” speech. Together, they unpack what it means to truly dare greatly in the face of criticism, fear, and uncertainty.

This is not a conversation about perfection — it’s about presence.It’s about showing up when others hesitate, leading when the path isn’t clear, and owning both the victories and the scars that come with meaningful work.

Todd and Dan reflect on:

* The difference between critics and creators, and why leaders must embrace vulnerability to grow.

* The emotional toll and moral courage required to lead through crisis, chaos, and change.

* Lessons from the field — from the battlefield to the EOC — about standing firm when the stakes are high.

* The power of resilience, humility, and conviction as anchors for authentic leadership.

* Why daring leadership is not about status, but service — and how every act of courage, big or small, shapes the world around us.

Whether you lead a team, a city, or simply yourself, this episode challenges you to step into the arena. Because, as Roosevelt reminded us, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who errs, who comes short again and again… but who does actually strive to do the deeds.”

This is a raw, reflective, and empowering conversation that reminds us that leadership is not about being fearless — it’s about daring to act despite fear.

💬 Connect:Follow Todd and Dan for more conversations about courage, leadership, and purpose.#Leadership #Courage #ManInTheArena #EmergencyManagement #ToddDeVoe #DanScott #Podcast
 

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

Not the Critic Who Counts, But the Leader Who Dares

Join Cedric for the EM Morning Brief on Monday, October 6th, 2025. Coastal flooding, dangerous surf, and high rip-current risks are impacting the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Florida to the Carolinas due to onshore flows and the full-moon king tides. Major weather warnings include Coastal Flood Warnings and Advisories around the St. Johns River basin and Florida’s Atlantic shoreline. Updates from regional NWS offices detail ongoing hazards and advisories for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana. Oregon sees Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings in northwest regions. Stay safe and stay updated!

00:00 Introduction and Today’s Overview00:06 Coastal Flooding and Weather Alerts00:58 State-Specific Weather Updates00:59 Florida Weather Details01:29 Georgia Weather Details01:49 South Carolina Weather Details02:09 North Carolina Weather Details02:26 Texas Weather Details02:45 Louisiana Weather Details02:58 Oregon Weather Details03:21 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Sources

[NWS Jacksonville], [NWS Miami], [NWS Melbourne], [FDEM morning sitrep | Florida Disaster+3National Weather Service+3National Weather Service+3]

[NWS Jacksonville | National Weather Service]

[NWS Charleston SC | National Weather Service]

[NWS Wilmington NC | National Weather Service]

[NWS Houston/Galveston & NWS HGX tropical/briefing page | National Weather Service+1]

[NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge | National Weather Service]

[NWS Portland | National Weather Service]
 

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

EM Morning Brief: Monday October 6th 2025

Good morning, I’m Cedric and this is your EM Morning Brief for Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. Hazardous surf and rip currents impact the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic due to Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda, with limited U.S. coastal impacts mainly to surf and minor coastal flooding. Wildfire activity continues in the Pacific Northwest and California, with updates on evacuations and containment efforts. The USGS reports no damaging earthquakes in the past day. Congress has yet to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, potentially affecting home closings in flood zones. State-specific updates include air quality advisories in Texas, high surf and rip current warnings in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and wildfire containment statuses in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Hawaii. Stay tuned for more in-depth updates throughout the day.

00:00 Introduction and Invitation to Share Your EM Story00:17 Hurricane and Tropical Storm Updates00:47 Wildfire and Seismic Activity Reports01:13 National Flood Insurance Program Status01:36 State-Specific Updates01:38 California Wildfire Containment02:05 Texas Air Quality and Weather Conditions02:28 Florida Coastal Hazards02:47 Georgia Coastal Advisory03:07 South Carolina Coastal Advisory03:24 North Carolina Coastal Advisory03:43 Washington Wildfire Incidents04:06 Oregon Wildfire Incidents04:25 Hawaii Fire Status04:38 Wyoming Fire Status04:56 Conclusion and Continuous Updates

Share your story, Operational Tales - https://emnetwork.substack.com/p/operational-tales

Sources

[NHC | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT4.shtml]

[NIFC IMSR | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf]

[USGS Latest Earthquakes | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/]

[Newsweek | https://www.newsweek.com/americans-flood-insurance-lapse-10795860]

[Yahoo/Consumer | https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/government-shutdown-could-disrupt-flood-225856344.html] Yahoo+5National Hurricane Center+5National Hurricane Center+5]

[NWS FWD/HGX WWA — Ozone Action Day | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=hgx&wwa=all]

[NWS HGX Fire Weather note | https://www.weather.gov/hgx/]

[NWS Melbourne coastal hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ141&product1=High+Surf+Advisory]

[NHC Imelda Advisory | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT4.shtml]

[NWS Charleston hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=SCZ050&product1=High+Surf+Advisory]

[NWS Jacksonville/CHS coastal statements incl. GA | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ125&product1=Rip+Current+Statement]

[NWS Charleston advisories | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=SCZ050&product1=Coastal+Flood+Advisory]

[NWS ILM/MHX marine synopsis | https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=amz200&syn=amz200]

[NWS MHX briefing 9/29 PM | https://www.weather.gov/media/mhx/LatestBriefing.pdf]

[NWS MHX surf forecast | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=MHX&issuedby=MHX&product=SRF]
 

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

EM Morning Brief, Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Join Cedric for the EM Morning Brief covering the latest weather concerns and emergency updates for Friday, September 12th, 2025. Topics include flooding risks in South Florida, southwestern Colorado, central New Mexico, and the northern Plains, severe storm forecasts in Montana and the Dakotas, and ongoing wildfire activity in the western United States. Stay informed with the latest evacuation orders, closures, and preparedness levels. Tune in for detailed reports from affected areas including California, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, and Hawaii. Remember to stay weather-aware and check local alerts for rapid updates.

00:00 Introduction and Nationwide Weather Overview01:00 California Wildfire Updates01:19 Texas Flooding and Disaster Declarations01:37 Florida Coastal Flooding and Rain Risk01:49 Washington Wildfire Conditions02:03 Oregon Fire Closures and Smoke02:14 New Mexico Flood Watch and Rainfall Risk02:28 Arizona Storms and Fire Closures02:39 Northern Plains Severe Weather02:55 Selected Incidents in Idaho, Wyoming, and Hawaii03:07 Final Weather Alerts and Sign-Off

Sources:

[NWS WPC | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/ero.php?day=1&opt=curr][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&format=txt][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][CAL FIRE | https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/8/24/garnet-fire/updates/d2e9fde6-acba-405f-99f8-9d29fd3f4b67][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][TDEM | https://www.tdem.texas.gov/press-release/9-11-25][NWS Midland/Odessa | https://www.weather.gov/maf/][NWS Key West | https://www.weather.gov/key/][NWS WPC | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/ero.php?day=1&opt=curr][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][NWS Albuquerque | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=35.1064&textField2=-106.632][NWS WPC | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/ero.php?day=1&opt=curr][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&format=txt][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&format=txt][NWS WPC | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/ero.php?day=1&opt=curr][NWS Bismarck | https://www.weather.gov/bis/][NWS Rapid City | https://www.weather.gov/unr/][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.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

EM Morning Brief

Join Cedric as he presents the E.M. Morning Brief for September 9, 2025.

Today’s updates include ongoing wildfire activities in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Washington and Oregon, a recent 5.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Oregon, and various severe weather risks across the central and southern High Plains, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, eastern New Mexico, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and parts of Texas. Additionally, Hurricane Kiko is causing hazardous surf conditions near Hawaii. Stay informed and stay safe!

00:00 Introduction and Headlines00:58 Colorado01:11 Hawaii01:22 Kansas01:31 New Mexico01:40 Oklahoma01:49 Oregon02:02 Texas02:13 Washington02:27 Conclusion

Sources:

[NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][USGS | https://www.usgs.gov/data/latest-earthquakes-map-and-list][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1][NHC | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php]; [CPHC | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/HFOTCMCP4%2Bshtml/090242.shtml][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1][CPHC | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/HFOTCMCP4%2Bshtml/090242.shtml][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1][USGS | https://www.usgs.gov/data/latest-earthquakes-map-and-list][BNO News | https://bnonews.com/index.php/2025/09/magnitude-5-8-earthquake-strikes-off-oregon-coast-no-tsunami-threat/][NIFC | https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf][NWS SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1]

Subscribe to EM Morning Brief on your favorite Podcast Player.
 

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

Tuesday, September 9th, 2025

In this enlightening episode of Theory-N2-Practice, Arthur Simental shares his journey through emergency management, from his start as a first responder to his current roles as a professor, researcher, and consultant.

We delve into Arthur's creation of Disaster War Gaming, a revolutionary tool designed to improve emergency preparedness through interactive, science-backed tabletop exercises.

The conversation also explores Arthur's ambitious initiative, the US Emergency and Disaster Management Congress, which aims to professionalize the field of emergency management through standardization and self-governance.

Join us as we discuss today's pressing need for visibility, legitimacy, and professional development in emergency management.

Connect with Arthur:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthursimental/ 

https://simentalindustries.com/ 

 

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

TN2P with Guest Arthur Simental

Exploring IAEM Conferences with Toni Hauser | Theory -N2- Practice Join host Dan Scott and guest Toni Hauser as they delve into the benefits and opportunities offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) conferences.

Learn about Toni's journey within the IAEM, the various events and training sessions available, and how these conferences enhance professional development and networking in the field of emergency management.

Whether you are a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, discover why the IAEM conferences are a must-attend for emergency management professionals.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:47 Meet Toni Hauser
02:03 Toni's Journey with IAEM
06:29 Conference Highlights and Benefits
11:11 Virtual Conference Details
13:38 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

IAEM Website:
https://www.iaem.org/

Connect with Toni Hauser:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonihauser/ 

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

TN2P Podcast with Toni Hauser

In this episode, we discuss the importance of professional development and professional associations, focusing on the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).

Host Dan Scott and guest Dr. Duane Hagelgans delve into their personal experiences, highlighting how joining such associations and participating in training programs have profoundly impacted their careers. 

They also cover upcoming IAEM conferences, including the virtual conference on May 9th and the in-person annual conference in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

Emphasis is placed on the significance of conferences for networking, training, and the overall advancement of the emergency management profession.

Friday April 25, 2025 Webinar: https://www.iaem.org/ 

Connect with Dr. Duane Hagelgans - Duane.Hagelgans@millersville.edu 

Check out the website: theoryn2practice.com 

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

TN2P Podcast with Duane Hagelgans

Join host Dan Scott in this riveting episode of 'Theory N2 Practice' as he sits down with Tim Padilla to explore his fascinating journey from a background in entertainment to becoming a semi-professional in emergency management.

Discover Tim's unique path, including memorable experiences like playing accordion with Slash from Guns N' Roses and becoming a senior manager at Paramount Pictures. Tim shares his insights on the importance of volunteering, the essence of networking, and the passion that drives his work in emergency management.

This episode blends personal anecdotes, professional growth, and the relentless pursuit of making the world safer.

Tim Padilla LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timpadilla/ 

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

TN2P with Tim Padilla

goTenna is changing how we think about communications in the disaster zone. If you have ever seen a spy movie or a military film where they track their team in harm's way, you have a basic understanding of what goTenna is all about. goTenna is seeking to fill in the communication gaps. These gaps in communications may be putting lives and livelihoods at risk. Join us in this prepare.respond.recover episode as we take a deeper look into how goTenna’s system can help out in a disaster, by keeping track of your team and ensuring their safety.

If you would like to learn more about the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo please visit us on the web - https://www.ndemevent.com 

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

Using Communications To Keep Your Team Safe

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