This episode features Tom Sivak, Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where we discuss why artificial intelligence is no longer optional for the emergency management community — it's a matter of survival. We explore how underfunded, understaffed EM agencies can leverage AI as a force multiplier across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Tom shares his vision of turning static emergency plans into living, role-based decision support tools, moving from project-based to program-based AI integration, and protecting decision-making from misinformation and AI hallucinations. The conversation underscores that while AI accelerates information synthesis and planning, humans remain firmly in control. Either we adopt and control the technology or it winds up controlling us.

Time Stamps

2:20 — AI as a Force Multiplier: Why It's Survival, Not Just Innovation, for the One-Person EM Shop

9:21 — Hesitancy & Fear: "AI Will Take Our Jobs" vs. Humans Still Controlling the Levers

11:39 — From AI-Curious to AI-Enabled: Operationalizing AI on Blue-Sky and Gray-Sky Days

15:04 — "Plans Should Come to Us": Turning Static PDFs into Living Decision Support

22:39 — Velocity of Crisis & Information Overload: Protecting Decision-Making from Bad Inputs and Outputs

About

Tom Sivak is the Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where he’s focused on putting AI to work for real-world preparedness, response, and operational planning. He previously served as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, leading federal emergency management support across the Great Lakes region—including dozens of tribal nations—and has also held senior local roles in Chicago and Cook County emergency management. Sivak is a certified emergency manager (CEM®) with a practitioner-first track record building capability, sharpening coordination, and pushing readiness that actually holds up under pressure.

Links:

https://em1.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-sivak-ms-cem/

This episode features Ashley Morris, EM Coordinator for Gillespie County and Fredericksburg, Texas, about using project management to stop the “whack-a-mole” cycle. She lays out how PM turns emergency management into disciplined, strategic execution across preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

What if your biggest preparedness upgrade isn’t a new plan—it’s running your EM program through effective project management? Morris breaks down how establishing priorities, project timelines, and follow-through create partners who actually show up and perform. From building force multipliers in a shop of one to using EMAP as the benchmark, rebooting CERT, testing a Business EOC, and preparing a tourism-driven community, she’s pushing a simple standard: less busywork, more guided and intended results—guided by mandates and leadership direction.

Time Stamps

00:53 Introduction

01:31 Why Project Management Matters

03:36 Force Multipliers for Solo EM

05:54 Community Outreach Strategy

08:39 Defining the EM Role

12:03 Rebuilding CERT Volunteers

14:27 Tourism and Business Readiness

17:55 Bridging Government and Community

23:37 Engaging Fire EMS Police

25:06 Prioritizing the Project Portfolio

About

Ashley Morris, CEM, is the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) for Gillespie County, TX and the City of Fredericksburg. She is an emergency management professional dedicated to bridging meteorology and emergency management to strengthen community preparedness and real-time decision-making. With a multidisciplinary background spanning atmospheric science, natural hazards, GIS mapping, social media, and social vulnerability research, she is passionate about translating research into practical strategy that improves how agencies and communities anticipate, communicate, and respond to weather-driven threats. Grounded in the belief that “community is key,” Ashley prioritizes public outreach, trust-building, and two-way crisis communication—leveraging notification systems and social media to ensure information moves effectively from agency to resident and resident to agency. She earned her IAEM Certified Emergency Manager credential in 2022, the Maryland Professional Emergency Management (MDPEMP) credential in 2023, and graduated from the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) in August 2023; she was also recognized on the 2021 IAEM Region III “40 Professionals Under 40” list. Active on the Maryland IMT and NCR IMT (Type III), she has led weather-focused initiatives including Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador efforts, StormReady, SKYWARN, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST). Ashley is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Emergency Management Administration at Oklahoma State University and holds an M.S. in Geography (Natural Hazards) from Texas Tech University, where her research examined social vulnerability and storm resource availability for tornado hazards in Lubbock, Texas.

What if the secret to better emergency collaboration isn't another FEMA course—but improv theater techniques?

In this episode, Andrew Phelps, COO of AC Disaster Consulting, reveals why emergency management's biggest myth is that "collaboration just happens." Drawing from his unique background as a trained actor and emergency management leader, Andrew shares how principles from improvisational theater can transform how we work together during disasters.

From the "Yes, And" principle to making your partners look brilliant, discover practical frameworks for breaking down barriers, building trust, and creating more effective emergency teams—on both blue sky and dark sky days.

Time Stamps

0:50 - Guest Introduction

1:28 - Challenges in Emergency Management

4:46 - Andrew's Background in Theater

6:09 - Five Principles of Improv

11:37 - Overcoming Collaboration Barriers

13:31 - Cultural Shifts Needed

17:24 - Emergency Management Is Everybody's Job

20:10 - Supporting Collaborative Instincts

25:21 - Balancing Stakeholder Needs

28:16 - Managing Scope Creep

34:30 - Closing Thoughts

About

Andrew Phelps is the Chief Operating Officer with AC Disaster Consulting. Immediately prior to joining ACDC, Andrew served as the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management where he oversaw the state’s comprehensive planning, training, exercise, and community engagement programs to reduce risk across the state and manage the consequences from emergencies and disasters. Andrew also served as the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and the Governor’s Authorized Representative for nine federal disaster declarations. In 2022, Andrew led the creation of the state’s first cabinet-level Department of Emergency Management replacing the previous office of emergency management that had been a division of the Military Department. He has served as a firefighter, public information officer, planner, search and rescue technician, emergency operations center manager, emergency medical technician, and other roles throughout his career.

Andrew is an honors graduate from John Jay College in New York City. He received his Master of Arts from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. His thesis, Play Well With Others: Improvisational Theater and Collaboration in the Homeland Security Environment was published in 2013. Andrew is also a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the FEMA Vanguard crisis leadership program. He is currently serving a three-year term on FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) where he leads the Climate Subcommittee.

Sources:

Phelps, A. J. (2013). Play well with others: Improvisational theater and collaboration in the homeland security environment. (Master's thesis/Paper). Naval Postgraduate School.

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA589546.pdf

Andrew Phelps on LI

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-phelps-80264311/