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Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, affecting thousands of lives and properties each year. For organizations located in areas threatened by wildfires, or that have remote workers located in those areas, it’s vital to have a wildfire preparedness plan to protect people and minimize impact. Jason Moreland, Senior Meteorologist at AlertMedia, joins us for part two of our 2022 Weather Series to discuss everything organizations need to know to prepare for wildfires. In this episode, Jason explains: How increased wildfire frequency and severity threatens national fire response resources A long-term forecast of how wildfires will continue to affect the United States How the impacts of wildfires can extend far away from the actual fire line The concept of “Ready, Set, Go” and other approaches to wildfire preparation that can minimize risk   The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Whataburger is a household name and a staple of communities across the country. With 860 quick-service restaurants in 14 states and more than 50,000 employees to protect, safety is a top priority for the beloved burger chain 24/7. Ron Derrick, Corporate Senior Emergency Manager, leads Whataburger's robust command center and is responsible for all escalated incidents at the restaurants, learning centers, and corporate offices. His passion for emergency management was inspired by his 30-year career in fire and EMS, and he incorporates that passion into Whataburger's preparedness and response plans to help mitigate issues before they happen. In this episode, Ron describes: How Whataburger’s contact center serves as a “911” for all locations to ask questions or report disruptions The structure of Whataburger’s command center that triages any escalated incidents Why an effective communication matrix expedites crisis response and recovery The importance of continuously monitoring and identifying threats to stay ahead of potential emergencies How Whataburger supports their local communities after natural disasters The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

2021 was the deadliest year on record for gun violence, and 2022 could easily surpass it. In light of recent tragic shooting events and millions of employees going back to the office, it’s important for organizations to re-evaluate their workplace violence preparedness and response plans to ensure the safety of their people. Proper preparedness and training can mean the difference between life and death in an active shooter situation. In this episode, Bill Flynn, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at The Power of Preparedness, talks us through how organizations can assess workplace risks to create or improve a violence preparedness program. Bill shares: Why “checking the box” on workplace violence preparedness is no longer acceptable How full employee participation and executive buy-in is crucial for an effective preparedness plan The importance of building muscle memory through active shooter training Why probability, vulnerability, and potential consequence evaluations are necessary for accurate risk assessments  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that organizations should look beyond traditional safety programs to create healthier, more fulfilling work environments for their people. Today’s guest, Dr. Casey Chosewood, is a Senior Medical Officer and the Director of the CDC’s NIOSH Total Worker Health Program. The program seeks to improve the overall health and well-being of employees by shaping the policies, programs, and practices organizations incorporate into their safety cultures. Since June is National Safety Month, we invited Casey to join us to explain Total Worker Health and why the needs of workers should be front and center at every organization. Listen to our conversation to hear about: How organizations can adopt the Total Worker Health Program to keep employees safe at work and empowered in their overall health How prioritizing employee well-being can benefit the bottom line Why workplace flexibility is key to a happier, more engaged, and fulfilled workforce Why total worker health is good for companies, communities, and the economy as a whole   The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia . You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Hundreds of ransomware attacks occur every single day that threaten organizational security. As the world integrates technology into more aspects of daily life, there has been a continuous rise in cyber crimes. Corey White, Co-founder & CEO at Cyavatar, has more than 25 years of experience crafting security strategies and leading teams across various industries, such as government, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. He understands that as technology evolves, so must every organization’s approach to cybersecurity. Listen to our conversation with Corey to hear about: Why organizations are experiencing an increase in sophisticated hacks The role remote workers play in a company’s cyber hygiene The biggest mistakes organizations make with their cybersecurity programs Tips and best practices for cyber-attack preparation and response What the future of cybersecurity looks like for businesses  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

When disaster strikes, thousands of American Red Cross employees and volunteers work tirelessly to provide immediate aid and assist in recovery. However, the Red Cross must ensure the safety of their own team before they can help others. Jennifer Pipa, VP of Disaster Programs at American Red Cross, oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of disaster services programs, including preparedness, response, and recovery. In this episode, Jennifer offers her expert advice on how emergency managers can improve their organization’s preparedness programs to better protect their people. Jennifer discusses: Why major disasters are now a chronic issue How to use situational awareness to pivot and adapt response plans The importance of monitoring and identifying threats to proactively prepare and inform impacted individuals Tips for communicating effectively with your team and continuously improving that process How organizations can support their local communities and American Red Cross chapters before and after a disaster  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing directly on our website. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Jason Moreland, Senior Meteorologist at AlertMedia, fills in for Peter this week to break down the 2022 hurricane season forecast. From what to expect to how to prepare, Jason offers his expert advice to help organizations save time, minimize impact, and protect their people, no matter where they work. In this episode, Jason explains: Detailed forecast predictions and how they compare to past seasons Tips for safeguarding critical infrastructure and employees Recommended resources to stay informed of storm updates      The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or subscribing directly on our website. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Austin Pets Alive! is not your average animal rescue organization. It has multiple locations, hundreds of employees and volunteers, and has saved nearly 100,000 animals over the last decade.  But the organization has a number of safety and security challenges to overcome, like workplace hazards in an older building, dispersed workers and pets, severe weather, and location-based security concerns. Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Lifesaving Operations at Austin Pets Alive!, and her team have created unique solutions to these challenges that any organization can learn from and apply.  Stephanie describes many of these solutions in today’s episode, as well as: Why two-way communication is crucial in an emergency  The importance of involving frontline employees in preparedness planning and after-action reports  Creating adaptive protocols versus fixed protocols Working with partners and third-party organizations to conquer logistical challenges   The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

To help us start the conversation, we invited Dr. Tracy Brower, Sociologist and Author, to explain the sociology of work — the scientific study of how people affect their work and how their work affects them back. It is an important topic for employers to understand because it can impact the psychological safety and mental health of employees, as well as the company’s reputation and bottom line.  Tracy’s research shows that when an organization fully grasps the sociology of work, its employees are happier, healthier, and more productive, and the business grows and thrives.  We discuss: The significant data and research (i.e., real science!) that demonstrate how work can impact employees’ mental health and happiness Why prioritizing employee well-being is a business imperative Actionable advice for creating a psychologically safe work environment How leadership can help employees avoid burnout  Why employees at every stage of life appreciate a reimagined safety culture   Visit www.tracybrower.com for more resources on the sociology of work, mental health in the workplace, and psychologically safe work environments. The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Today’s hybrid landscape has altered the traditional employee–manager relationship. Leaders can no longer rely on in-person interactions to know how their employees are feeling and performing in their roles. How are great safety leaders adapting to ensure a physically and psychologically safe work environment for their people? Michael Teape, Owner and Lead Training Consultant at Teape Training International, explains:  The most important skills a safety leader should develop to effectively lead a hybrid workforce Why emotional intelligence and empathy can be more important than strategy and processes when managing employees Applying the SCARF model to stimulate meaningful conversations with your direct reports How over communicating can help you identify and support employee needs   The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Maintaining workplace safety is a challenge in its own right, but at the Dallas Zoo, wildlife adds an extra layer of complexity. What does it take to keep workers, guests, animals, and the 106-acre park safe and secure while still providing the fun, memorable experience the Dallas Zoo promises? Diana Worden, Director of Safety & Security at the Dallas Zoo explains:   The unique challenges of keeping visitors, employees, volunteers, and animals safe year-round How the zoo embraces a positive safety culture with buy-in at every level of the organization The importance of regular safety training that is fun and engaging Why maintaining positive relationships with emergency services and outside agencies are crucial to support safety and security initiatives The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

As The Great Resignation continues, investing in your employees and their happiness is more important than ever. Jenn Lim, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chief Happiness Officer at Delivering Happiness, believes that companies should build a workplace culture where employees can experience meaningful happiness, feel psychologically safe, and personally align with the company’s core values. When organizations double down on their people, it comes back to them financially. In this episode, we discuss: How Jenn and Tony Hsieh (the late CEO of Zappos) created the framework for Delivering Happiness Why workplace happiness leads to better employee retention and more profitable business The importance of adaptive intelligence within a leadership team Why aligning purpose with profit is a competitive advantage and differentiator for organizations      The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Workplace safety is more important than ever, yet employees’ perceptions and opinions are often missing from the conversation. To help change that, AlertMedia surveyed a wide range of American workers to uncover how safe employees actually feel at work and if their employers’ efforts to protect them were meeting their expectations. AlertMedia used the findings of this survey to create its inaugural State of Employee Safety Report. Danielle Sherman, VP of Communications at Material, the research firm behind the survey, joins the show to discuss how the results can help organizations improve the safety and wellbeing of their employees. We discuss: Which emergencies and disasters employees are most concerned about experiencing in the workplace How prepared employees are to respond to those emergencies If employers’ safety communications are meeting employee expectations What employers can do to help their people feel safer at work        For more insights and findings, download the full 2022 State of Employee Safety Report. The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

The healthcare industry has been under constant pressure since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Lori Price, Emergency Management Coordinator at Memorial Health System, has witnessed firsth and the challenges that healthcare facilities have faced over the past two years, from how to maintain daily patient care during a pandemic to crisis situations like cyber attacks and severe weather. In this episode, Lori shares how Memorial Health System has responded to these challenges, and how the organization is improving emergency management processes for the future. We discuss: The benefits of an all-hazards approach to emergency management How Memorial Health System responded to a recent cyber attack The importance of regular, varied safety training and drills How changes to human behavior can decrease the likelihood of disasters     The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

HR teams seek to empower employees with the tools and resources they need to be successful at their jobs while ensuring their safety and well-being. Saad Qureshi, Human Resources Manager at Campbell Soup Company, believes that a one-size-fits-all approach to human resources is not effective. Instead, HR professionals should involve employees in the conversation to learn what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, Saad shares the tactics Campbell’s uses to improve culture and enhance employee engagement. We discuss: The evolving responsibilities of HR leaders Tactics for improving employee engagement How a focus on employee safety boosts retention The importance of mental health resources for HR professionals   The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Emergency preparedness shouldn’t be viewed as an expense. It’s an investment in your ability to provide your customers with goods and services no matter what happens—and ultimately, that ability will lead to the growth of your business. Al Berman, President of DRI Foundation, explains how organizations can experience the ROI of emergency preparedness through real money and hard savings. We discuss: Tips for talking to executives about the business impacts of preparedness The importance of reviewing your insurance coverage to make sure it benefits your organization Moving past a fear-based approach to business continuity to focus on competitive advantages How to measure the effectiveness of your preparedness program           Email Al Berman at aberman@drii.org. The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld , SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Many organizations don’t realize that building safety codes were designed to ensure human survival and nothing more. They don’t guarantee that your building will be operable or even occupiable after a disaster. To support business continuity, a building needs to go beyond that minimum safety standard. In this episode, Tracy Kijewski-Correa, Structural Engineer and Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame, explains the steps that organizations should take to enhance building safety and maintain operations following a disaster. We discuss: Why the loss of life and property is often preventable Setting safety goals to thrive, not just survive The competitive advantage of exceeding minimum safety codes How organizations can help create market demand for safer construction    Mentioned during the podcast: StEER Network The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.   You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

A great safety leader possesses more than just business continuity, security, and risk mitigation skills. To be a well-rounded leader, individuals must also develop soft skills and a holistic mindset to help keep their employees and business safe. In this episode, Rick Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Safety, Security, and Business Continuity at Chubb, explains why emotional intelligence is an important aspect of effective leadership and how he prepares the next generation of safety leaders for success. We discuss: Rick’s approach to cultivating leadership in a multi-generational workforce The skills and experience Rick looks for when hiring future leaders Why incorporating servant leadership helps reinforce Chubb’s safety culture Advice for professionals looking to pursue a career in safety or security  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Journalists face increasing risks today. From civil unrest and military coups to stalking and online harassment, responding to and reporting on events can come with a lot of danger. That’s why Ian Phillips, Vice President of International News for The Associated Press, was tasked with launching a new initiative focused on the safety, security, and mental well-being of journalists. In this episode, guest host Sara Pratley speaks with I an about his new role and his advice for ensuring the safety of any traveling, dispersed, or lone workers. We discuss: The evolution of journalist safety The need for risk analysis when traveling to hotspots The benefits of partnering with industry peers on safety AP’s initiatives to support employee mental health  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia. You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Many protests and demonstrations are planned in advance, but civil unrest often occurs spontaneously, creating unique challenges for organizations nearby. In these situations, safety professionals have little time to identify potential threats and ensure employee safety. However, there are response and mitigation strategies that every organization can put in place to protect their people, maintain business continuity, and stay informed during fluid situations. Suzanne Bernier, President at SB Crisis Consulting, explains how both organizations and individuals can prepare and respond. We discuss: Unique challenges associated with protests and civil unrest Mitigation and response strategies to protect your business and people The importance of having a crisis communication plan and a skilled spokesperson Safety tips to consider when attending a mass gathering  The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to The Employee Safety Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.  Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Employee Safety Podcast in your favorite podcast player.