Black Swan Disaster Events with Helen Hynson Vettori

Helen Hynson Vettori (https://www.helenhynsonvettori.com/) is a former EMT/paramedic and retired senior medical intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security. We have her on the show to share her insights and the two sci-fi thriller novels she wrote based on her experiences. Helen channeled her real-world emergency response and pandemic-planning experience into her sci-fi disaster thriller series, beginning with Black Swan Impact and followed by Black Swan Shock. A “Black Swan” event is a term used to describe a catastrophic incident that no one could have foreseen or imagined because of its unprecedented impact. Helen didn’t imagine crisis from the outside, rather she spent years preparing for biological threats, including pandemics, and then watched COVID unfold in real time. That insider perspective and her frustration with confusing messaging and federal missteps became the fuel for fiction that feels uncomfortably plausible. Dr. Joe Holley from Paragon Medical Education Group joined the podcast as well as our disaster emergency management expert Becky DePodwin and our disaster weather expert Dan DePodwin. The episode is co-hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis. Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well. Podcast Discussion Summary Winter Storm Impact and Preparations The meeting focused on a major winter storm expected to impact large parts of the United States, with Dan providing detailed forecasts of snow, ice, and travel disruptions across multiple regions. The group discussed the storm’s potential effects on various cities, including Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and the Northeast, emphasizing the danger of ice accumulation and power outages. They also advised listeners to consider rescheduling flights and prepare for travel disruptions, particularly in the affected areas. The conversation ended with an introduction to their guest, Helen Hinson Vittori, a former EMT and intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, who will discuss her experiences during the pandemic. Emergency Response Expert’s Pandemic Novel Helen shared her extensive background in emergency response, including her work as a paramedic, her role in biothreat planning at DHS, and her experience creating pandemic response plans. She retired in 2018 but became concerned about the government’s response to COVID-19 in 2020, which led her to write a sci-fi political thriller novel called “Black Swan Impact” that explores a catastrophic pathogen event in the year 2113. The novel served as a cathartic way for her to process the chaotic response to the pandemic she had witnessed firsthand. Emergency Preparedness Through Personal Writing Helen shared her experience as an emergency manager and author, discussing how writing provided her with both peace and a mission to educate others about emergency preparedness. She emphasized that individual preparedness is crucial for both personal and community-level disasters, and highlighted a book club question in her second book, “Black Swan Shock,” that encourages readers to assess their own emergency preparedness. Federal Pandemic Planning and Leadership Helen shared her experience working on federal pandemic plans and witnessing their partial abandonment during the actual crisis, expressing disappointment in leadership’s failure to communicate effectively and adhere to established protocols. The discussion explored how better preparation and public education could improve future responses to pandemics and other disasters, with Helen emphasizing the importance of all-hazard planning that starts at the individual level. The group agreed to have Helen return for another podcast episode, and several connections were made between participants for future discussions. Wrap up and updates The team went through contact information and Joe shared that Paragon is working on a new cadaveric-based simulator for pericardial tamponade training. The team encouraged listeners to stay safe and check out Helen’s books. The group discussed the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group. Catch the full episode using the player above or on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Disaster Podcast for weekly insights from leaders in disaster response and research!