As emergency management agencies across the country continue to navigate a high-tempo threat and disaster environment, a new episode of the Disaster Zone podcast takes a closer look at what recent disruptions have revealed — and what they may signal about the future of the field.
Hosted by Emergency Management subject matter expert Eric Holdeman, the episode features a conversation with Bryan Koon, a longtime emergency management leader and former Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). The discussion focuses on what has unfolded so far and what may lie ahead for emergency management and homeland security as the profession adapts to changing risks, operational pressures, and evolving expectations.
Koon is widely known in the emergency management community for his leadership in Florida, where he worked to strengthen statewide emergency response capabilities and support public-private partnerships. His tenure included high-profile incidents such as Hurricane Irma and the Pulse nightclub shooting.
At the national level, Koon served as President of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) from 2014 to 2016, where he advocated for improvements in disaster response and resilience, including testimony before Congress emphasizing mitigation and long-term cost control.
The episode also highlights Koon’s continued involvement in resilience-focused efforts, including service on the FLASH Board of Directors, and his work supporting the development of future emergency management professionals through higher education partnerships.
Listen to the full episode here.
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)