Ready Northwest Builds Disaster Resilient Businesses

03/14/25 • 43 min

Edward Coulson

Edward Coulson from Ready Northwest returns to the Disaster Podcast to share ways businesses can build resiliency plans for disasters and major adverse events. Often overlooked in the community resilience discussion, local and regional businesses are anchors for the financial well being of a community. Including them while planning drills and events can improve the overall community response to a disaster.

Also on the show was out emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin. Our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Emergency Preparedness Planning for Businesses

Edward Coulson, owner of Ready Northwest emergency management, discusses his company’s focus on emergency preparedness planning for businesses and organizations. He explains that they fill a gap in disaster preparedness by helping businesses on Main Street get ready for emergencies, which is crucial for community recovery.

Edward highlights the increasing awareness and investment in emergency planning among businesses, especially since the pandemic. He describes working with various industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, construction, and retail, often seeing increased interest following major incidents.

He also addresses the challenges of convincing businesses to invest in emergency planning when not required by regulations, emphasizing the benefits such as employee safety, potential insurance premium reductions, and improved post-incident investigations.

Continuous Emergency Management and Preparedness

Edward emphasized the importance of continuous emergency management and preparedness programs, rather than one-time efforts. He highlighted the need for updating, educating, training, and reviewing these programs throughout their life.

Sam and Edward discussed the challenges of emergency planning, such as the need to consider post-disaster actions and the importance of business continuity planning. They also touched on the need for integrating weather warnings into comprehensive emergency plans.

Emergency Management in Consulting

Edward emphasized the importance of emergency management in the consulting space, particularly in asking the right questions to identify potential hazards. He highlighted the role of weather partners in providing critical information for decision-making during emergencies.

Jamie asked about the frequency of involving the community in resilience plans, to which Edward responded positively, suggesting that businesses should establish relationships with first responders and conduct drills to prepare for emergencies. Edward also predicted an increase in interest in emergency preparedness plans and training in the next five to ten years, with a growing need for partners in emergency management.

Ready Northwest Services and Weather Warnings

Edward discussed the services offered by Ready Northwest, including emergency management consulting and training programs for businesses. He encouraged listeners to visit their website for more information.

Becky emphasized the importance of receiving local weather warnings, particularly during severe weather season. Jamie and Sam invited listeners to follow them on social media and sign up for notifications on their respective websites. The team expressed gratitude for the discussion and wished everyone a good weekend.

Catch the full episode using the player above or on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Disaster Podcast for weekly insights from leaders in disaster response and research!

Edward Coulson

Also on the show was out emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin. Our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Podcast Discussion Summary

Emergency Preparedness Planning for Businesses

Continuous Emergency Management and Preparedness

Emergency Management in Consulting

Ready Northwest Services and Weather Warnings

Previous Episode

Telling the Stories of Historical Disasters with Beth Livingston

Author Beth Livingston

Author Beth Livingston joins the team in this episode to share her accounts of two past disasters here in the United States. First she recounts the personal stories of resilience in The Dayton Flood of 1913. Then she tells the stories of the survivors of The Charleston Earthquake of 1886.

Both of these disasters took place long before our 24-hour video media coverage. Yet the personal accounts were recorded by local historians and news sources for us to learn from. Beth uses her ability to breathe life into these accounts and creates a fictional story around these true life situations.

More about the Great Flood of 1913

More about the Charleston Earthquake of 1886

Beth Livingston has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. When she was two years old, she entertained passengers on a train ride across California with her made up tales. She went on to become a teacher and then a school librarian, all the while telling her stories. Her first book, The Hideout, was published in 1983. Since then, she’s gone on to write four children’s books and nine adult novels.

Also on the show were our disaster weather experts Kyle Nelson and Dan DePodwin, along with our emergency management expert Becky DePodwin. Our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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Podcast Discussion Summary

Exploring Historical Weather Disasters

Jamie introduces a new episode of the Disaster Podcast, which will focus on historical disasters. He mentions that his co-host Sam Bradley is present, and they have a special guest lined up to discuss past events. The show plans to explore weather forecasting and conditions during historical disasters, with input from three meteorologists who will be participating in the discussion.

Weather Conditions and Storms Discussed

The meeting discussed the weather conditions in various regions. Jamie shared that they experienced a storm with high winds and rain, which led to the loss of trees and power outages. Dan mentioned that the weather has been active in March, with severe thunderstorms and a March snowstorm in the Midwest. He also predicted a warm period in the south and a significant storm in the east for the weekend before Saint Patrick’s Day.

Jamie brought up a rare tropical cyclone in Australia, which has been slow-moving and bringing rain. Kyle added that the cyclone was expected to cause significant rainfall and potential inland flooding in Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Beth’s Christian Historical Fiction Books

Sam and Beth Livingston discussed Beth’s Christian historical fiction books, specifically her Disaster series. Beth shared her interest in disasters, which began when she visited the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, and discovered the Dayton flood of 1913. She then researched and wrote a book about the event, incorporating firsthand accounts and old pictures. Beth also mentioned her interest in the Charleston earthquake of 1886, which she researched and wrote about in another book.

Sam expressed interest in hearing firsthand stories from people who lived through these disasters. Beth then described the Dayton flood of 1913, explaining that it was caused by three large storm systems converging on the city, resulting in 9 to 11 inches of rain falling on already saturated land. The flood went through downtown Dayton, leaving 15,000 residents homeless, 92 people dead, and causing an estimated $2 billion in merchandise loss in today’s economy.

The Great Dayton Flood of 1913

Beth narrated the story of the Great Dayton Flood of 1913. She detailed the rising water levels, the breaking of levees, and the subsequent flooding of the...

Next Episode

Bright Harbor On Recovery After Disasters

Gavin Blair, COO of Bright Harbor, joins the rest of the podcast team tonight. He discusses the unique challenges people face in the aftermath of disaster. Whether it’s knowing the best way to file with your insurance company, or how to navigate the FEMA bureaucracy, having an advocate in your corner can be a game-changer.

Bright Harbor, a leading disaster recovery company that has been on the front lines of wildfire recovery efforts across the country. In the wake of the recent LA wildfires, the team has been helping survivors navigate the complex and often frustrating process of securing FEMA aid, insurance payouts, and emergency housing—guiding them through bureaucratic roadblocks that can delay relief for months.

Also on the show was Dr. Joe Holley from Paragon Medical Education Group. Our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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Podcast Discussion Summary

Severe Weather and Disaster Recovery

Jamie and Sam discussed the weather conditions, with Sam mentioning the mix of rain, snow, and hail. Jamie then introduced Dr. Joe, who shared updates on the severe weather situations, including tornado outbreaks in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky.

Joe also mentioned the potential for more bad weather and heavy rain with flooding through the weekend. Jamie recalled the severe weather in Kentucky last year and the impact on the community. Joe mentioned upcoming procedural labs in Florida and Arkansas, which may be affected by the storms.

Jamie then introduced their guest, Gavin Blair, who shared his experience dealing with insurance and red tape following disasters.

Navigating Disaster Recovery With Bright Harbor

Gavin Blair from Bright Harbor discusses the challenges faced by individuals after natural disasters. He highlights the increasing frequency and severity of disasters, coupled with the insurance industry’s struggle to manage risk. Many people are underinsured, often unaware of gaps in their coverage until disaster strikes.

Blair emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s insurance policy, considering home hardening techniques, and having an evacuation plan. He advises on immediate steps after a disaster, such as securing temporary housing through insurance or FEMA assistance. Blair stresses the importance of quantifying losses and understanding available funding sources for recovery, which is where Bright Harbor assists individuals in navigating the complex process of rebuilding after a disaster.

Navigating Disaster Relief Programs

Jamie and Gavin discussed the challenges of navigating bureaucracy in State and Federal relief programs post-disaster. Gavin emphasized the importance of verifying information and seeking primary sources of information, such as the FEMA website. He also addressed the issue of uneven distribution of resources and the need for more effective government programs.

Gavin advised people not to overthink the insurance process and to wait for the first response from their insurance company before seeking external help. He also reassured that there is time to apply for FEMA and SBA, and that the application process is just about filing the form.

Preparing for Natural Disasters

Gavin discussed the importance of being prepared for natural disasters, emphasizing the need for insurance and understanding one’s situation. He highlighted the unique challenges faced by those living in disaster-prone areas and those who are not.

Gavin also mentioned the importance of neighbors cooperating and leveraging each other’s resources during such events. Jamie asked about immediate relief options, to which Gavin explained their service, which provides a tailored plan and support throughout the process.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategies

Jamie, Joe, and Gavin discussed disaster preparedness and response. Gavin shared his experiences and insights on preparing for and managing major events, emphasizing the importance of planning and collaboration.

Joe expressed gratitude for Gavin’s expertise and encouraged listeners to reach out to Paragon Medical Education Group for customized traini...