Returning to my roots + Org-level Info Sharing + Marines in Beirut
Profiles in Preparedness #5
I have two quick updates, and then I'll get a handful of articles I'd like to share with you all.
You might notice that the email has a new name: Left of Bang | The Newsletter. While this might seem like a minor update, it is pretty significant for me.
When I returned to writing about 15 months ago, I was thinking about left of bang and preparedness as separate topics. But I've come to realize that they aren't. Through my writing and presentations and the countless conversations I've had with professionals, I've come to understand better and better articulate why they are integral components of the same goal.
Beyond changing the name back to a topic I truly love talking about, this has also let me simplify the site, streamline content, and remove some unnecessary sections.
In addition to the renaming, I've been rethinking how I share content with you. When I started on Substack, I wanted everything—newsletters and blog posts—to be in one place. Previously, articles and resources were scattered across different platforms, making them fragmented and less accessible. But I've learned that "having everything in one place" and "sending you everything I write" are two different things.
Instead of dropping lengthy, unannounced articles in your inbox whenever I get them completed (like I did this week), I'll be linking to them from our "Profiles in Preparedness" series, which will become the primary focus of emails you receive from me. For the long-time followers who used to receive the "Weekly Profile" from us - this format will look familiar. As you'll see below, this will cover the articles I write for both our free and Academy subscribers.
Now, let’s get left of bang.
Here is what I’ve been working on this week
New Article | From Observation to Action. Learn how a dual approach to information-sharing—structured plans for known risks and adaptable systems for the unexpected—can elevate your organization’s disaster response effectiveness.
New Academy Article | Developing the Incident Situation Report. Tips, tricks, and a template for sharing information quickly during incidents.
LinkedIn | What Emergency Plans are Not. Emergency plans sometimes have a bad reputation. But it is because we throw the word "plan" around too easily. This list of 9 things — that emergency, continuity, crisis, contingency, or disaster operations plans are not — became my most shared post this month.
LinkedIn | Have you revisited your weather risk assumptions lately? I’ve been supporting clients spending unused funds in their budget to understand the number of times severe weather impacts them strategically.
LinkedIn | BAM Weather Supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. I’m incredibly proud that we were selected to support them with our Clarity Weather platform. Tunnel to Towers, which is dedicated to honoring America's first responders, military personnel, and Gold Star families, is an organization I have a deep personal respect for, especially as a veteran.
Where I Will Be
IAEM Conference. From November 18-20th, I’ll be in Colorado Springs. If you’ll also be there, let me know so we can meet up.
NCS4 Marathon and Events Safety & Security Forum. I’ll be in Virginia Beach on December 3rd and 4th to present. If you’re in the area, I’ll be happy to schedule a meeting.
Two Other Things I Read This Week That Are Worth Sharing
Adopting a Prepared Life | Jeff Donaldson. There are a few topics from this article that I will be digging into myself in the coming weeks, but his definition of the problem that preparedness solves is excellent. This article is worth reading, and I recommend that you subscribe to Jeff’s Substack.
Targeted - Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror. How do you honor those who have died serving their country? By learning. I've been listening to this book, and the need to apply the lessons of the past to the problem sets of the present and future is how Jack Carr ended his preface. It was about 1983 and Lebanon, but it applies today and in so many different areas. Don't make "never forget" a cliche - make it the foundation to learn from the past and not make the same mistakes in tomorrow's incidents.
Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways I work with clients:
Consulting Projects and Speaking Events. I help organizations prepare for an uncertain future with a variety of preparedness initiatives and left-of-bang-focused presentations.
Proactive Threat Recognition Training. Learn how to read the behaviors and establish baselines discussed in the book Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life in our online training courses.
Subscribe to the Left of Bang Academy: Access the tools and resources needed by emergency management and homeland security professionals to prepare their organizations for future disasters, disruptions, and crises.
If you’d like to learn more and see what is available for your organization, you can reach me at patrick@cp-journal.com or on LinkedIn.