The Emergency Management Network Podcast

The Emergency Management Network PodcastEpisode Title: Authority, Responsibility, and the Emergency Manager’s DilemmaHosts: Todd DeVoe and Dan Scott
In this episode of The Emergency Management Network Podcast, Todd DeVoe and Dan Scott take a deep dive into one of the profession's defining tensions: the gap between authority and responsibility. Emergency managers are expected to coordinate complex systems, anticipate cascading failures, and help guide communities through crisis, yet they often operate without direct command authority over the agencies responsible for action. That reality creates a professional dilemma that is rarely discussed openly but felt daily across the field.
Todd and Dan explore how responsibility often finds the emergency manager before authority does. When disaster strikes, communities look for coordination, clarity, and leadership, not organizational charts. The conversation examines how emergency managers become accountable for outcomes they do not fully control, and how influence, credibility, and trust often matter more than formal power in driving results.
The discussion moves beyond operations into philosophy and ethics. Drawing on ideas from Aristotle, Plato, and Stoic thought, the episode reflects on what it means to carry responsibility simply because you understand risk and consequence. The more an emergency manager sees the interdependencies within a community, the harder it becomes to step back and treat preparedness as someone else’s job. Responsibility becomes a moral obligation, not just a professional duty.
Todd and Dan also talk candidly about the personal weight that comes with this role. The profession often lives in the space between expectation and authority, and that space can produce both purpose and strain. They explore how burnout emerges when responsibility expands without structural authority, and how relationships, communication, and long-term trust building become the real levers of leadership.
The episode reframes authority in emergency management as relational rather than positional. It is built over time through competence, consistency, and the ability to align people and systems before the crisis begins. The conversation highlights how emergency managers shape decisions, influence direction, and steward coordination, even when they are not the ones issuing orders.
Throughout the discussion, Todd and Dan return to practice. Governance, culture, and institutional design all shape how authority is shared and how responsibility is carried. The profession continues to evolve, but the dilemma remains a constant. Emergency managers operate at the intersection of policy, operations, and ethics, balancing public expectations with the realities of fragmented authority.
This episode challenges listeners to reflect on their own role in that tension. Authority may not always sit in the emergency manager’s office, but responsibility often does. The question becomes how to lead effectively within that reality, how to build influence where command is limited, and how to continue stewarding preparedness in systems that are never fully aligned.
Todd and Dan close with a reminder that the work of emergency management begins long before the incident and continues long after the headlines fade. The profession is not defined by command, but by stewardship, trust, and the quiet work of aligning people and systems toward resilience.


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The primary focus of today’s discussion is the extensive winter weather patterns that are currently impacting various regions across the United States, presenting significant public safety concerns. As we delve into the specifics, we note that the National Weather Service has issued multiple winter advisories, particularly affecting the West, Northern Rockies, and Appalachians, highlighting the presence of snow, blowing snow, and the possibility of freezing rain, which is creating hazardous conditions on roadways and reducing visibility across higher elevations. Furthermore, we shall consider the ongoing winter storm warnings in the Baltimore-Washington region, alongside a gale warning for maritime areas later today. Additionally, seismic activity has been reported with several magnitude 3 earthquakes occurring in Southern California and Nevada, underscoring the diverse range of natural events that require public attention. We encourage our listeners to remain vigilant and informed as we navigate through these critical updates.
Takeaways:
* The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories across various regions, indicating significant snowfall and freezing rain.
* Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous due to winter storms affecting multiple states, particularly in elevated areas.
* Recent seismic activity includes a series of earthquakes in Southern California and Nevada, highlighting ongoing geological concerns.
* Wildfire risks have prompted evacuations in Charlton County, Georgia, due to a brush fire near major roadways.
* Winter weather advisories in Indiana emphasize the potential for slick roads and dangerous travel conditions this morning.
* The forecast for New York indicates continued hazardous travel conditions due to persistent snow and blowing snow across the region.
Sources
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]
[USGS | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/]
[Action News Jax | https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/massive-wildfire-charlton-county-prompts-evacuations/DOVSP7X5DNEHBF5GELLQEWGX5M/]
[News4JAX | https://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia/2026/02/22/plume-of-smoke-rises-from-uncontained-charlton-county-wildfire/]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MIZ277&lat=41.905&local_place1=2+Miles+NNE+Shorewood-Tower+Hills-Harbert+MI&lon=-86.606&product1=Wind+Advisory&warncounty=MIC021&warnzone=MIZ277]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/jkl/sigwx_wintersnow2]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MDZ501&lat=39.6505&local_place1=Frostburg+MD&lon=-78.9367&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&warncounty=MDC001&warnzone=MDZ501];
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=DCZ001&lat=38.8921&local_place1=Washington+DC&lon=-77.0199&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&warncounty=DCC001&warnzone=DCZ001]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/aly/winterheadlines]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MIZ277&lat=41.905&local_place1=2+Miles+NNE+Shorewood-Tower+Hills-Harbert+MI&lon=-86.606&product1=Wind+Advisory&warncounty=MIC021&warnzone=MIZ277]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]
[USGS | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NYZ200&lat=42.7697&local_place1=2+Miles+SSE+Blasdell+NY&lon=-78.8117&product1=Dense+Fog+Advisory&warncounty=NYC029&warnzone=NYZ085]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/aly/winterheadlines]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NCZ303&lat=35.5649&local_place1=5+Miles+N+High+Rocks+NC&lon=-83.6359&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook&warncounty=NCC173&warnzone=NCZ051]
[Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture / OFS | https://ag.ok.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Most-Recent-Fire-Situation-Report.pdf]
[KBTX | https://www.kbtx.com/2026/02/23/panhandle-wildfires-contained-texas-warns-increased-fire-danger/]
[Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer | https://tfswildfires.com/public/]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=PAZ057&lat=40.296&local_place1=2+Miles+NNE+Harrisburg+PA&lon=-76.871&product1=Air+Quality+Alert&warncounty=PAC043&warnzone=PAZ057]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/aly/winterheadlines]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MDZ501&lat=39.6505&local_place1=Frostburg+MD&lon=-78.9367&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&warncounty=MDC001&warnzone=MDZ501]


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Wildfire response constitutes the primary national concern as we delve into the developments surrounding the ongoing fires in the Southern Plains, particularly in Oklahoma’s Panhandle and its western counties. The Ranger Road Fire, which has expanded significantly into Kansas, exemplifies the critical nature of this situation, with emergency management reporting substantial acreage affected and a mere 15% containment. Additionally, the state of Texas has received federal assistance for the Eight Ball fire, underscoring the severity of the crisis and the necessity for coordinated firefighting efforts. Concurrently, winter weather impacts persist in the Upper Midwest, complicating travel and safety for residents in those regions. As we navigate these pressing issues, it is imperative to remain informed about local conditions and heed official advisories to ensure personal safety and community resilience.
Takeaways:
* The ongoing wildfire response remains a paramount national concern, particularly in Oklahoma and Texas.
* In Oklahoma, the Ranger Road Fire has reached an alarming 283,283 acres with only 15% containment.
* Winter weather advisories in the Upper Midwest forecast hazardous travel conditions due to accumulating snow.
* California experiences cold conditions prompting freeze warnings, necessitating protective measures for vulnerable entities.
Sources
[NWS Sacramento | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=CAZ216&lat=39.732&local_place1=Chico+CA&lon=-121.842&product1=Flash+Flood+Watch&warncounty=CAC007&warnzone=CAZ016]
[Kansas Dept. of Agriculture | https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/629/17] [Oklahoma OEM | https://oklahoma.gov/oem/news/newsroom/wildfire-situation-update-2---feb-18-2026.html]
[NWS Duluth | https://www.weather.gov/dlh/]
[NWS Hazard Info | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MNZ012&lat=47.796&local_place1=10+Miles+NW+Schroeder+MN&lon=-91.112&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&warncounty=MNC075&warnzone=MNZ012]
[Oklahoma OEM | https://oklahoma.gov/oem/news/newsroom/wildfire-situation-update-2---feb-18-2026.html]
[TDEM | https://www.tdem.texas.gov/press-release/2-19-26] [TDEM Disaster Page | https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/26-0001-february-wildfires]
[NWS WWA Text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=mpx&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]


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The primary focus of this podcast episode is the extensive and multifaceted weather hazards affecting the lower 48 states as we approach the weekend. A formidable storm system is advancing, bringing wintry conditions from the Northern and Central Plains to the Great Lakes and the Northeast, while simultaneously posing severe thunderstorm and tornado risks in the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys. Additionally, California faces another bout of heavy snowfall in the Sierra, accompanied by periods of significant rain and isolated thunderstorms in Southern California. The episode also highlights critical fire weather concerns in the Southern Plains, wherein warm, dry, and windy conditions facilitate the rapid spread of fires. We conclude our report with a brief overview of state-specific weather developments, emphasizing the necessity for vigilance and preparedness in light of these evolving conditions.
Takeaways:
* The current weather pattern is characterized by significant activity across the continental United States, indicating a need for preparedness.
* A severe storm system is expected to bring wintry conditions and potential severe thunderstorms to various regions.
* Fire weather concerns are notably acute in the Southern Plains due to dry and windy conditions conducive to rapid fire spread.
* States such as Iowa and Missouri face multiple hazards, including snowfall and severe thunderstorms, necessitating caution for travelers.
Sources
[WPC | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd]
[WA Governor | https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-requests-fema-assistance-repair-1823m-infrastructure-damaged-historic-december]


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The episode elucidates the prevailing national risk landscape characterized by a rapidly advancing multi-hazard storm on February 18, 2026. We delve into the severe winter storm and blizzard conditions affecting the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, juxtaposed with critical fire weather conditions across the High Plains. The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for blizzard and winter storm conditions, particularly around western Lake Superior, where hazardous travel is imminent. Furthermore, we examine the dire situation in Northern California, with significant travel disruptions and ongoing search and rescue operations following an avalanche incident. Our analysis extends to various states, detailing the complex interplay of winter weather and fire hazards, underscoring the necessity for vigilance and preparedness amidst these perilous conditions.
Takeaways:
* The podcast emphasizes the severity of the multi-hazard storm impacting various regions across the nation.
* Blizzard and winter storm warnings are active in the upper Midwest, affecting travel and safety.
* Critical fire weather conditions are prevalent in the High Plains, particularly impacting states like Colorado and Nebraska.
* Winter storm warnings in Northern California have led to significant travel disruptions and highway closures.
* Local authorities report ongoing rescue operations following an avalanche incident in the Sierra region.
* Oklahoma is facing a serious wildfire situation with coordinated emergency response efforts underway.
Sources
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=blizzard+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ069]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/sto/]
[ABC7 / AP | https://abc7news.com/post/rescue-underway-missing-skiers-reported-avalanche-castle-peak-area-sierra-nevada-sheriffs-office-says/18612994/]
[ABC10 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california-winter-storm-interstate-80-traffic-sierra-avalanche-warning-outage/103-d82bfe99-61b2-425c-a4ce-e25e71521343]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=bou&wwa=red+flag+warning]
[Colorado Sun | https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/17/fires-evaucations-eastern-plains/]
[CBS Colorado | https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/video/fire-that-burned-over-5000-acres-on-colorados-eastern-plains-is-now-contained/]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=red+flag+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NEZ080&lat=40.2347&local_place1=2+Miles+W+Culbertson+NE&lon=-100.8782&product1=Fire+Weather+Watch&warncounty=NEC087&warnzone=NEZ080]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MIZ003&lat=47&local_place1=Toivola+MI&lon=-88.74&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&warncounty=MIC061&warnzone=MIZ003]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MIZ016&lat=45.9706&local_place1=3+Miles+N+Rapid+River+MI&lon=-86.972&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&warncounty=MIC041&warnzone=MIZ013]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=blizzard+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=dlh&wwa=winter+storm+warning]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/ggw/]
[NWS | https://www.weather.gov/byz/montana_statewide_information]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NEZ080&lat=40.2347&local_place1=2+Miles+W+Culbertson+NE&lon=-100.8782&product1=Fire+Weather+Watch&warncounty=NEC087&warnzone=NEZ080]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=red+flag+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=MNZ008&lat=48.3003&local_place1=10+Miles+E+Holt+MN&lon=-95.9822&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&warncounty=MNC089&warnzone=MNZ008]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NDZ010&lat=48.3124&local_place1=Stanley+ND&lon=-102.3928&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&warncounty=NDC061&warnzone=NDZ010]
[OK OEM | https://oklahoma.gov/oem/news/newsroom/wildfire-situation-update-1---february-17--2026.html]
[KOCO | https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-wildfire-woodward-evacuations-forgan-fire-beaver-county/70397791]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=red+flag+warning]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]
[NWS | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=WIZ002&lat=46.7163&local_place1=6+Miles+SSE+Cornucopia+WI&lon=-91.0496&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&warncounty=WIC007&warnzone=WIZ002]


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