EP #327 - 08.24.2021 - Emergency Management Update w/emergency managers

Today I talk with journalist and friend of COVIDCalls Colleen Hagerty.  Joining her are emergency manager Sarah Miller and wildland firefighter Luke Mayfield.

Colleen Hagerty is a freelance journalist telling narrative stories through video, print, and social mediums. Much of her work reflects how global communities are reckoning with our changing climate, social dynamics, technologies, and politics. You can find her bylines across BBC News outputs and on Vox, High Country News, US News & World Report, Business Insider, and others. She also has a weekly newsletter about disasters.

Sarah Miller is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) who is currently a consultant and the Interim Chair of the Homeland Security Emergency Management Program at Pierce College. She most recently served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the 16 cities, one tribe, and one island of south King County, Washington. Previously, she was the Emergency Manager for the City of Auburn, Washington for 9 years. Her 30+ years of public service includes 12 years as a public safety dispatcher and 9 years as a search and rescue volunteer. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree in Emergency Management, is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, and has completed doctoral work in homeland security, terrorism, and public policy. She is currently working on her PhD dissertation on technology in emergency management.

Luke Mayfield is currently the Fire Program Manager for Mystery Ranch Backpacks, the current Vice President of the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, and an AD Firefighter in Region 1.

Previously, Luke spent 18 seasons with the United States Forest Service. Luke worked in 4 regions, 7 forests, and the majority of his career was spent on Interagency Hotshot Crews. Luke resigned in 2019 as an Assistant Hotshot Superintendent/Supervisory Forestry Technician.