Before, During & After

Before During & After

"Before, During & After" is a podcast for emergency managers. Join us for insights into where emergency management is headed, conversation about preparing for the threats of tomorrow and how everyone has a role in keeping communities safe from disaster.

Join podcast host Mark Peterson as we cover FEMA’s work in implementing its strategic plan, as well as recent disaster recovery efforts and resources available to better prepare for future risks.

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Latest Episode

Episode 130: Streamlining the FEMA Application Process. Empowering Survivors to Rebuild Faster After Disaster

Beginning on March 22nd, FEMA will implement changes to our Individual Assistance Program for new disaster declarations -- some of the most significant updates to survivor assistance in the last 20 years. On this episode, we explore those individual assistance changes and how they could benefit disaster survivors speeding their recovery and helping to build resilience to future hazards.

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Episode 130: Streamlining the FEMA Application Process. Empowering Survivors to Rebuild Faster After Disaster

FEMA is on the verge of making some of the most significant updates to survivor assistance in the last 20 years. Experiencing a disaster and the loss and displacement that it can bring is often one of the most profound and impactful experiences survivors might ever go through in their life. Beginning on March 22nd, FEMA will implement sweeping changes to our Individual Assistance Program for new disaster declarations. Those changes will reach more individuals and deliver assistance faster. Just a few months into 2024 and at the beginning of our year of resilience, these updates will serve as a starting point for individuals and families who will have now more flexibility and access to our programs. From quickly providing assistance to people who become displaced to simplifying the application process, FEMA is empowering survivors and their communities so that they can rebuild their lives faster after a disaster. There are so many changes to unpack here, today. So, on this episode, we explore those individual assistance changes and how they could benefit disaster survivors speeding their recovery and helping to build resilience to future hazards.

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Episode 129: Building Resilience in Communities that Are Most Vulnerable to Natural Hazards

Natural disasters can be a stressful and traumatic time for anyone, but they can be especially devastating to vulnerable communities who have been historically underserved. Today, we'll discuss how FEMA is working to build resilience across the country by designating community disaster resilience zones. To explain more about this new and extremely exciting program, I'm joined by individuals at the FEMA headquarters level, as well as the regional level, that are working hard to build this program in a way that is holistic and tailored to the communities that we seek to serve.

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Episode 128: Taking Leadership to the Next Level with the Naval Postgraduate School

Strengthening the emergency management workforce at the state, local, tribal, territorial, and national levels is crucial to building and maintaining a strong profession and keeping the public safe. This is such an important task that FEMA's administrator, Deanne Criswell, included strengthening the emergency management workforce in FEMA's latest strategic plan. One of the many training programs that FEMA supports is the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. This unique program is open to all state, local, tribal, and territorial employees with a nexus to homeland security and emergency management. So, on today's episode, host Troy Christensen, speaks with Heather Issvoran about the center and the different training programs that are offered.

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Episode 127: #WinterReady - Being Fire Safe in the Winter Can Help Save Lives

Fire dangers increase during the winter months and claim more lives than at any other time of the year. Deaths caused by fire are only part of the story as there are thousands of displacements when homes are destroyed, contributing to homelessness numbers across the nation. Unfortunately, the statistics on winter fire destruction are devastating, but they also highlight the need to educate the public on ways to protect themselves, especially during the winter months. As cold weather brings additional home fire risks, unwanted and destructive fires are preventable, and the steps people take to prepare now can save lives to help people prepare for winter weather. FEMA's Ready Campaign's first ever #WinterReady public education effort is designed to reach all communities with simple, accessible, and culturally competent messaging on how to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their homes. This is the second episode in a series where we consider all aspects of winter preparedness and the challenges that winter weather and cold compose. Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the head of the U.S. Fire Administration, and Justin Knighton, FEMA's external affairs director join us to talk all about how we all can be fire safe and winter ready.

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Episode 126: Tips on How to Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated observance designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to human trafficking. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services theme for Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2024 is, "Activate connections to prevent human trafficking." This is an opportunity to build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work. Human trafficking cannot be prevented by any one individual community, organization or government, but building connections is at the heart of what emergency managers do. And to that end, we can be leaders in the effort of prevention. When we partner to prevent, we can enhance our efforts to keep everyone safe from human trafficking. So, on today's episode, we talk to leaders from within the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA about how we all within the public safety and emergency management communities can build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work.

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FEMA's "Before, During, After" podcast is available on Apple iTunes and Spotify to stream or download. Approximately 20 to 30 minutes in length, new episodes are posted bi-weekly and include transcripts.

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Questions or comments? Send an email to FEMA-podcast@fema.dhs.gov.

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