General Thoughts

2017 By The Numbers

By the numbers

Interested in the work of a FEMA Mitigation Planner? I compiled some numbers that tells a story of the work I’ve done throughout 2017. Most of this is steady state work and not on a disaster. Each year may vary but the constantly challenging work to achieve community resilience remains the top priority.  

  • 30,000 – miles spent on an airplane (AK, DC, ID, NV, OR, TX, WA)
  • 70 – nights away from my family
  • 28 – number of flights
  • 16 – facilitated mitigation planning webinars
  • 4 – facilitated Mitigation Program State Consultation Meetings
  • 3 – instructed Local Mitigation Planning Workshops
  • 3 – facilitated Risk MAP Meetings
  • 3 – tribal specific in-person presentations/workshops
  • 2 – deployments to support disasters
  • 1 – attended and presented at National Mitigation Planning Workshop
  • 1 – participated in regional disaster training exercise
  • Numerous natural hazards mitigation plan reviews, technical assistance meetings, phone calls, in-person meetings with tribal, state, local, federal, and non-profit staff
General Thoughts

Mitigation Planning Graphics

The FEMA Region 10 Mitigation Planning Team recently created two graphics for our tribes, states, and locals to use in their messaging and training.

The intention is to promote the importance of mitigation planning to guide community resilience.

  • Mitigation Planning Benefits: Provides a series of messages on the benefits for a community to develop a mitigation plan.
  • Mitigation Planning Process: Provides a concise and visual cycle of the mitigation planning process.

You can print them off, email them out, cut and paste portions into trainings, download and distribute. Contact me with questions.

http://www.starr-team.com/starr/RegionalWorkspaces/RegionX/mitigationplanning/Shared%20Documents/Mitigation_Planning_Graphics

General Thoughts, Music

I learned how to network by playing in a punk rock band

I learned the importance of networking while drumming for and managing a punk rock band in the 90s. If my band was going to move beyond the garage then we had to reach out to others.

I didn’t intend to be a networker. It just happened. I would promote local shows for out of town bands and they would reciprocate the same for us. We would show bands how to screen their own shirts, where the cheapest place was to make stickers, what promoters were the best and worst, and more. The underground punk music scene thrived in this manner. Couches and floors at my house were offered to bands as they toured, and the same was offered when we were on the road. We learned from each other and to respect each other, even if we weren’t in the same state. Networking paid off as our tours grew in length, shows grew larger, and friendships created.

Today, almost 20 years later, it proves pivotal in my role as a Natural Hazard Mitigation Planner with FEMA. I must work across multiple federal and state agencies and bridge the gap between the private and public sector in helping communities improve resilience. I nor my agency can’t go it alone. It’s when we as professionals go beyond the formalities and share a beer or food after work, make a call to learn more about someone’s program or project, or just listen to learn more about the person….that is when work really gets done and we make gains. Networking requires time and energy, but the success is worth it.

Reposted from my LinkedIn.com profile.

General Thoughts

I Write My Story

OlympicNP Road

“I am the lead climber. I am the expedition leader. I am the band leader. I choose my journey and I construct my brand. I am fueled by the desire to create and inspire. I am surrounded by my tribe who support, challenge, question, and inspire my actions. One hand in front of the other, one step at a time, one drum beat after another. I write my story.”

~Brett Holt

A few months ago, I was on an plane ride across the country coming home to Seattle after spending a week in Washington, DC for work. While on the flight, I was reading an article about life mottos. I don’t remember the article, but most likely from Inc. or Fast Company.

I spent the next hour or so working on ideas. Putting various thoughts together. What is my motto? How do I begin to tell my varied life story? I worked on a few drafts and eventually came to what you see above. It reflects my what moves me in life (creativity, unknown), who encourages it (tribe-friends), and takes current activities into account (climber, drummer) to make an analogy. I sit back on this often and am happy with it. It just may stand the test of time….my time.