5 Minutes to Chaos - podcast cover

5 Minutes to Chaos

Join Steven Kuhr for an engaging and informative podcast, 5 Minutes to Chaos. This podcast is designed for Emergency Managers and Crisis Leaders who navigate the dynamic, threat-rich landscape of today's world. Unlike other podcasts, 5 Minutes to Chaos features unscripted, unrehearsed discussions that provide valuable insights into major emergencies and critical incidents. With a focus on real-world experiences, this podcast promotes learning by examining the challenges faced by incident leadership and the solutions they derived. Tune in for a unique perspective on crisis management.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 51 - Resilience Professional Jason Hoss Shares His Personal Journey and Crisis Management and Organizational Resilience Philosophies

Introduction With over a decade of experience building organizational resilience, Jason distills complex strategies into clear, actionable plans that support people, culture, and business processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and confident navigation of any disruption. Jason also loves dogs. Contact Info https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hoss/

Apr 04, 202453 minSeason 2Ep. 51

Episode 50 - Chief Jorge Rodriguez, El Paso, Tx Emergency Manager, Discusses the Risks, Challenges, and Crisis Management Strategies Employed in Response to the Border-Migrant Crisis

Introduction Chief Jorge A. Rodriguez is the Emergency Management Coordinator/Director for the El Paso Office of Emergency Management, with over 25 years of public safety, emergency management and homeland security experience. In a dual capacity, he also serves as an Assistant Fire Chief with the El Paso Fire Department with a program portfolio that includes special operations, aircraft rescue and firefighting, homeland security grants and the Office of Emergency Management. He managed the respo...

Mar 28, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 50

Episode 49 - CEO Brittany Castillo Discusses Disaster Debris Removal and Emergency Management Logistics Through the Activities of AshBritt Inc.

Summary Brittany Castillo, CEO of Ashbritt, discusses the company's role in post-disaster debris management and emergency management logistics. She highlights the importance of local hiring and economic recovery in disaster areas, as well as the humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Ashbritt. Brittany also emphasizes the challenges and complexity of contractor operations in the emergency management industry. She shares the story of Ashbritt's humble beginnings and the involvement of her family ...

Mar 21, 20241 hr 14 minSeason 2Ep. 49

Episode 48 - Emergency Manager Art Powers Discusses the ExxonMobil Global Emergency Management Program and His Incident Management Experience During a Major Pipeline Emergency

Introduction Art Powers is the Senior Principal for Emergency Preparedness & Response at ExxonMobil. He is a past coordinator of the ExxonMobil Americas Regional Response Team and has worked in various leadership roles in ExxonMobil’s US Pipeline and Distribution operations over his 25 years with the company. Art is an IAEM Certified Emergency Manager and obtained a Master of Science in Emergency Management in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation in 1993, both from the Mas...

Mar 14, 20241 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 48

Episode 47 - Global Economic Policy Expert and Author Michele Wucker Discusses Gray Rhino (Risk) Theory and Her Book "The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore"

Introduction Strategic advisor and global economic policy expert Michele Wucker coined the term “gray rhino” as a call to decision makers to improve how they respond to obvious, probable, impactful risks. She is founder of the Chicago-based advisory firm Gray Rhino & Company. A former media and think tank executive drawing on decades of experience in global finance and economics, she works at the nexus of policy, behavioral science, and business strategy. Her four books include the influenti...

Mar 07, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 47

Episode 46 - CISA Emergency Communications Coordinator Chris Tuttle Discusses His Extensive Career, Critical Infrastructure Threats, Comms Programs, and Catastrophic Hurricane Response and Recovery

Introduction Chris Tuttle is the Emergency Communications Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for Region 2, which includes the states and territories of New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2010, Chris has supported and promoted the nationwide improvement of emergency communications capabilities, while addressing the complex issues facing the emergency communications ecosystem. Chris continues ...

Feb 29, 20241 hr 12 minSeason 2Ep. 46

Episode 45 - Emergency Manager Tina Kuhr Discusses Nuclear Power Emergency Management and Crisis Management Activities for Destructive Hurricane Florence

Introduction Tina Kuhr is an Emergency Management Leader in the Nuclear Industry with the following experience: • Emergency Plan, Emergency Plan Program Procedure and Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure maintenance • Emergency preparedness regulatory change process • Drill and Exercise evaluation and critique report preparation • Training Emergency Organization Members Tina currently serves as the Emergency Preparedness Program Lead for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She supported the transition f...

Feb 22, 20241 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 45

Episode 44 - Crisis Manager Sean Friedman Discusses His Extensive Banking Sector Experience, Crisis Response and Continuity Concepts, and 9/11 and Hurricane Experience

Introduction Sean Friedman is a senior-level Business Continuity and Resiliency/Disaster Recovery Manager with 25+ years of experience in the planning and implementing business continuity planning in the financial services industry. Sean has practical experience dealing with hurricanes, Sandy, Irene, Katrina, and Rita; 9/11; blackouts, transit strikes, and COVID-19. Key competencies include developing business continuity plans, training, planning exercises/tests, conducting business impact analy...

Feb 15, 20241 hr 20 minSeason 2Ep. 44

Episode 43 - Crisis Manager Howard Price Discusses His Role in Broadcast Journalism, Corporate Crisis Management, and Business Continuity

Introduction Howard has just retired after more than 48 years as a an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and business continuity professional. He last served as an assignment editor at WNBC -TV in New York, following a nearly 37-year career at WABC-TV, ABC News, ABC Television and The Walt Disney Company. Howard is a two-time EMMY Award winner, and twice shared the George Foster Peabody Award for his contributions to ABC News coverage. He also shared the DuPont Award for his contributions to ...

Feb 08, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 43

Episode 42 - Colorado Emergency Manager Lori Hodges Discusses Several Decision-Making and Adaptable Crisis Management Models and Their Application to COVID and the Destructive Cameron Peak Wildfire

Introduction Lori Hodges has over twenty-five years of experience at both the state and local levels in the emergency services and emergency management fields. She currently works as the Director of Emergency Management for Larimer County, Colorado. Lori is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and the State of Colorado. She is also a graduate of the Executive Leaders Program and the master’s program through the Center for Homeland Defen...

Feb 01, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 42

Episode 41 - Global Crisis Management: A Panel Discusses Crisis Management Challenges on a Global Scale

Introduction In this important episode, a panel of experts discuss the complexities of crisis management on a global scale. The panel offers critical insights based on their crisis management roles in global organizations. Among the items discussed are: -Organizational preparedness -Capacity building -Building sustainable crisis management teams -Synchronizing organizational silos -Certainty management -Embedding crisis management into the organizational structure and culture -Artificial intelli...

Jan 25, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 2Ep. 41

Episode 40 - Emergency Manager Nora O'Brien Discusses Risk, DEI in Emergency Management, and Several Crisis Events She Has Participated In

Introduction As a CEO with extensive leadership experience in the emergency management sector, Nora O'Brien is seeking to leverage her strategic vision, stakeholder management skills, and crisis management expertise to drive growth and success for a lucrative emergency management firm. With a Master's degree in Public Affairs specializing in Disaster and Emergency Management, and a B.S. in Political Science with a focus on International Relations, Nora brings a strong educational background to h...

Jan 18, 20241 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 40

Episode 39 - CEO Rob Gaudet Provides and Overview of the Important Work of the Non-Profit Disaster Support Organization "Cajun Navy Ground Force"

Introduction Rob Gaudet is CEO/Founder at Cajun Navy Ground Force, a boots on the ground nonprofit that leverages lessons learned to drive digital innovation in disaster response. He is an innovator, engineer, author, media personality and speaker and was selected as 2016 Louisianian of the Year. Contact Information https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgaudet/ https://gocajunnavy.org/

Jan 11, 202454 minSeason 2Ep. 39

Episode 38 - Women in Emergency Management (See Episode Description)

Introduction Emergency Managers Andrea Davis, Mona Curry, and Jamie Quarelles join Steven Kuhr to discuss the contributions and challenges of women in Emergency Management. The panel hit broad topics including organizational leadership, mentorship, bias, the comfort zone, servant leadership, and much more. See biographical profiles below. Andrea Davis Andrea Davis is a recognized expert in the field of emergency management who has dedicated her career to bridging the silos between the public and...

Jan 04, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 38

Episode 37 - Fire Safety Expert Jack Murphy Discusses the Lithium Ion Battery Crisis and His Role in Several Crises Including the 1993 WTC Bombing, Hospital Evacuation, and Major Structure Collapse

Introduction Jack is a retired Fire Marshal, serving as Deputy Chief with the Leonia Fire Department. He also served 15 years as Countywide Deputy Fire Coordinator for Bergen, NJ. He is the past chairman of the Fire/Life Safety Directors Association of Greater New York and an adjunct professor at John Jay College/Fire Science Institute (NYC). He is a principal member on the following Fire Life Safety committees: - High-Rise Building Safety Advisory Board - NFPA 1660 Emergency, Continuity, and Cr...

Dec 28, 20231 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Episode 36 - Dr. Asha George, Executive Director at the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Discusses Biological Terrorism and The Current Threat

Introduction Dr. Asha M. George is the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. She is a public health security professional whose research and programmatic emphasis has been practical, academic, and political. She served in the US House of Representatives as a senior professional staffer and subcommittee staff director at the House Committee on Homeland Security in the 110th and 111th Congress. She has worked for a variety of organizations, including government contractors...

Dec 21, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Episode 35 - The Crisis that is Emergency Management. Senior Emergency Manager and Author Kelly McKinny Discusses Emergency Management Imperatives and Challenges in Executing the Core Mission

Introduction As the former Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Office of Emergency Management and Chief Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Kelly McKinney has had a leadership role in every major disaster in New York City for more than 20 years, from the 9/11 attacks to Superstorm Sandy to Covid-19. He teaches crisis management at NYU and was recently appointed to FEMA's National Advisory Council. Nationally known for his writing and speaking on the principles a...

Dec 14, 20231 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Episode 34 - Former NTSB Managing Director Peter Goelz Discusses NTSB Response and Activities for Several Aviation Accidents including USAir 427, ValuJet 592, TWA 800 and Others

Introductions Peter Goelz offers decades of leadership in management, transportation, crisis communications and national and international political strategy. Mr. Goelz has managed the Washington, DC office for O’Neill and Associates from 2005 through 2021 when he moved to Of Counsel status. Prior to that he was the head of the Crisis Communications Practice Group for the global communications firm APCO Worldwide. Mr. Goelz has been active in public life and politics for close to four decades ha...

Dec 07, 20231 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 34

Episode 33 - Attorney, Educator, Author, and Business Continuity Advisor Erika Andresen Discusses Business and Societal Risk Awareness and Comprehension

Introduction Erika Andresen, CBCP, JD, MPA, is a recovering lawyer after nearly two decades of experience in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert on national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands on their authorities and during high-risk situations in Afghanistan and domestic disasters stateside. She also has extensive experience writing injects and acting as an observer/trainer/coach for large-scale m...

Nov 30, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Episode 32 - Chief Jack Jones Discusses Applied Crisis Management He Experienced Across His Roles as a Fire Chief, Emergency Manager, Flight Paramedic

Introduction Chief Jack Jones has served for over 35 years in several emergency service roles. The chief's positions include: - Fire Chief, Bedford County Fire and Rescue Department (20 plus years) -Emergency Management Director, (Bedford County, VA) - Flight Paramedic - Paramedic Instructor - Fire Investigator -Jack has completed the FEMA Emergency Management Institute Advanced Professional Series (APS) and is a graduate of the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy Executive Fire Offic...

Nov 23, 20231 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Episode 31 - Crisis Manager, Blogger, and Podcast Host Ashley Goosman Brings us Her Unique 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina Experience in Massachusetts Based Emergency Mass Care and Human Services

Introduction Ashley Goosman is an experienced professional with twenty years of experience in the public and private sectors. She founded the Disaster Empire blog in 2019 to educate and engage fellow practitioners and added the podcast in 2022 to showcase thought leaders and innovators in the industry. In 2021, she co-founded Resilience Think Tank, an independent guidance and research provider for risk and resilience. She has managed numerous high-profile crisis incidents, including pandemics, n...

Nov 16, 20231 hrSeason 1Ep. 31

Episode 30 - Kenn Honig Discusses His Extensive EMS, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management Career and Crisis Management for a Variety of Unique Critical Incidents

Introduction Kenn Honig is a Certified Emergency Manager, with over fifty years of experience in law enforcement, EMS, firefighting, and emergency management For over ten years Kenn served as a paramedic, and supervisor with NYC-EMS and other EMS agencies, receiving awards for Life Saving, Innovative Thinking, and Service Kenn spent 28 years as a police officer, supervisor, senior officer, ARFF crew chief, academy instructor, lieutenant, tour commander, captain, inspector, unit head and commandi...

Nov 09, 20231 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Episode 29 - State Emergency Management Director Gabe Lavine Recounts His Virginia Tech Mass Shooting Experience and His Leadership Role Supporting Island Communities for Hurricane Ian Response

Introduction Gabe Lavine has more than 19 years of experience in emergency services and management, public safety, first response, military combat arms, reconnaissance, specialized operations, diplomatic security, intelligence, special weapons and tactics, incident management team leadership, and recovery operations. He was an infantry and reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps with multiple combat deployments overseas. His emergency management experience encompasses state and ...

Nov 02, 20231 hr 16 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Episode 28 - Geographer Carley Fitzgerald Discusses Her GIS Role in Emergency Management and Helps us navigate GIS as a Situational Awareness Tool for Several Crisis Events

Introduction Carley Fitzgerald, GISP, is an accomplished Geographic Information Science (GIS) Professional with 13 years of experience in the public and private sectors. With experience at transportation and engineering firms, as well as municipal, county, and regional government entities, Carley has a deep understanding of GIS applications across diverse industries. Currently serving as a GIS Manager in the Critical Infrastructure Division at Highlands County, Carley oversees the management of ...

Oct 26, 202357 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Episode 27 - Corporate Incident Commander Tim Cohen Discusses Enterprise Incident Management and Crisis Management for a Smishing Attack on a Global Technology Organization

Introduction Tim Cohen has over 15 years of Crisis Management, Emergency Management, and Incident Management experience. His career includes 15 years as an open source intelligence analyst, international crisis response coordinator, manager of global operations for a global risk consultancy, emergency manager, and crisis management program manager. He has responded to kidnappings, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, cybersecurity incidents as well as managing the response to the Covid-19 pande...

Oct 19, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Episode 26 - FEMA National IMAT Team Leader, FCO, and State Emergency Manager Tom Fargione Presents a Comprehensive Crisis Based Emergency Management Model

Introduction Tom Fargione joined FEMA in 2009 and served as Team Leader (SES) for the National Incident Management Assistance Team Blue from 2017 until his retirement in April of 2023. Tom was responsible for ensuring the team had the capability and capacity to respond immediately and effectively to the worst disasters likely to befall the country. In this role, he regularly engaged with the FEMA response organization to develop and promulgate doctrine, policy, and procedures to support the Agen...

Oct 12, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 26

Episode 25 - Corporate Emergency Manager Ryan Caughill Discusses Crisis Management and Buffalo Blizzard of December 2022

Introduction Ryan Caughill is an experienced Technology Disaster Recovery and Crisis Manager for M&T Bank. Additionally, Ryan is the Director of the Buffalo Naval Park Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness, an all-volunteer position. Ryan is a volunteer with the Sullivans Division and Training Ship Little Rock of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Buffalo, NY where he is in year 15 and currently serves as the Operations Officer. As the Ops Officer he has worked to introduce disaster ...

Oct 05, 20231 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Episode 24 - Florida Emergency Manager Ed McCrane Discusses Creative Crisis Management Approaches to Hurricane Irma and Subsequent Storms

Introduction Ed McCrane has over 21 years of Emergency Response and Emergency Management experience and is currently serving as the Emergency Management Chief for Sarasota County, Florida. He is a Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) and has extensive experience in emergency management, including his role as the Region 4 Coordinator for the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). While with FDEM he served as state liaison for seven area emergency management agencies and respond...

Sep 28, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 24

Episode 23 - Craig Biscuiti Discusses Healthcare Emergency Management and a Hospital Response to a Catastrophic Hurricane in Puerto Rico

Introduction Craig Biscuiti has a had a long career in the field of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management. Becoming a member of the youth squad of the Woodhaven Richmond-Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. in 1986, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in EMS. He became an EMT in 1991, and in 2002 obtained his Paramedic certification and is also a New York State certified Hazardous Materials Technician. Craig is also an EMS Educator, teaching for EMT and Paramedic programs and has ...

Sep 21, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Episode 22 - Public Safety Director Tim Marshall Tells a Compelling Story of the Chaos and Complexities of an Inland Tropical Weather Related Flood Disaster

Introduction -Tim Marshall is the Director of Public Safety for Steuben County New York. He has been an employee by Steuben County since September of 1997 serving as the Deputy Director of Emergency Services, then Director in 2012. Tim was appointed as Director of Public Safety in 2021. -Tim is a Certified Emergency Manager with the International Association of Emergency Mangers. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Corning Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree i...

Sep 14, 20231 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 22
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android