All-Hazards Project Management: Series Kickoff and What to Expect

All-Hazards Project Management: Series Kickoff and What to Expect

Author: Kevin Pannell May 16, 2025 Duration: 2:05

Welcome to the 20-episode run of the All-Hazards Project Management: Series Kickoff and What to Expect of the People, Process, Progress podcast.

Since I was seventeen, I’ve been involved in public safety, emergency medicine, and planning events or incident responses. Across all these roles, one truth has stood out: effective planning connects them all. In public safety, it’s about saving lives and protecting property—but that only works when teams share a process and operate efficiently. In emergency medicine, triage and crisis standards guide us to do the greatest good for the greatest number. And in project management, it’s about turning an idea into reality.

In every one of these fields, people are the constant. To stay safe, deliver care, and get results, those people must work a shared process. The progress we make depends on both.

That’s where this All-Hazards Project Management series comes in.

This series is built from the field and the front lines. I've used elements of what you’ll hear in these episodes to train fire department leaders in project management and to share public safety insights with members of the Project Management Institute (PMI). These are the practical lessons that bridge emergency response and organizational execution.

Each episode blends:

  • People – who we lead and how we support them,
  • Process – the systems and structures that keep us aligned,
  • Progress – the measurable outcomes that prove we’re moving forward.

We’ll connect project management frameworks to the Incident Command System (ICS), highlight real-world parallels, and provide tools you can apply immediately. You'll also get a clear call to action in every episode to drive results, not just reflection.

If you’re ready to lead in uncertainty, plan with precision, and deliver under pressure—this series is for you.

Let’s lead with clarity, operate with purpose, and progress together. I’ll see you next week.


Kevin Pannell has operated in environments where a single decision carries immense weight. As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman in critical care, a Firefighter/EMT, and now an Enterprise IT PMO leader, he’s learned that meticulous plans are only as good as the moment they fall apart. His People, Process, Progress podcast explores what happens next. This isn't theoretical management advice; it's a deep dive into the frameworks that actually function under pressure. Each episode draws direct lines between the sterile intensity of an ICU, the unpredictable chaos of a 911 call, and the complex political landscapes of modern corporate projects. You'll hear concrete stories and dissected strategies about guiding teams through uncertainty, adapting processes in real time, and finding a path forward when the expected one vanishes. The conversations are built on a simple, powerful premise: true progress isn't about avoiding failure, but about mastering your response to it. For anyone leading teams, managing careers, or simply interested in the mechanics of decisive action, this podcast offers a rare, grounded perspective. Tune in for honest discussions on resilience, leadership, and the practical tools that turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Own. Move. Anchor. with Kevin Pannell
Podcast Episodes
What I Learned the Day My Son Surpassed Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:21
There comes a moment when we realize our kids are no longer just following us, they’re leading in their way. In this episode, "What I Learned the Day My Son Surpassed Me," I share the story of how my son surpassed me, no…
How to Decide Between Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:34
Since 2019, I’ve led major IT programs, including Workday ERP and the technology for a new children’s hospital, while mainly working remotely. In this episode, "Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office: What's the Right Fit?", I bre…
How Many Direct Reports Should You Lead Effectively? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:26
When leaders try to manage too many people directly, clarity disappears and momentum suffers. In this episode, I break down the importance of span of control across public safety, healthcare IT, and project teams. Whethe…
How to Align Risk Language Across Teams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:15
On this Foundations Friday, How to Align Risk Language Across Teams, we break down how project managers and emergency leaders can align around a shared risk language. Whether you're using a THIRA or a risk register, the…
How to Combine Project Risk Tools with Emergency Planning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:05
Warren Buffett said it best: “Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.” On today’s episode, How to Combine Project Risk Tools with Emergency Planning, we’re focusing on how project managers and public safety leader…
Why Structure Must Come Before Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:38
In this Foundations Friday, Why Structure Must Come Before Action, we explore the importance of applying project structure to any event or initiative. Whether you're planning a community gathering, a training workshop, o…
How to Run Your Event Like a Successful Project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:19
Planning a public event without structure is a risk you can’t afford. In this episode, How to Treat How to Run Your Event Like a Successful Project, Kevin Pannell shares how to apply project management principles and ICS…
How to Diagnose Failing Projects Like an EMT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:03
This week, we apply an EMT’s trauma checklist to project leadership. Using the DCAP-BTLS framework, we explore how to scan your project for failure symptoms—before they spiral.Key focus areas:• Spotting early signs of pr…
What Project Managers Can Learn from EMTs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:07
Welcome to the second full episode in our All-Hazards Project Management series, What Project Managers Can Learn from EMTs. In this episode, we apply a trauma checklist used in emergency medicine—DCAP-BTLS—to assess and…
How to Start Small with AI in Your Projects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:04
This week’s Foundations Friday, How to Start Small with AI in Your Projects, is a bit of a reset and reminder. If you’re in public safety or project management, you don’t need to become a coder. But you do need to unders…