Preparedness isn’t about disasters — it’s about the systems you rely on every day.
When people think about preparedness, they often focus on hazards: storms, outages, emergencies. But real-world outcomes aren’t determined by the event itself — they’re shaped by how that event disrupts essential systems and how those disruptions interact with household vulnerabilities.
In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we break down what risk actually means and why the same emergency can affect households very differently. Using a simple, practical framework — Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability × Impact — we explore how power, communications, healthcare, income, and other essential community systems quietly support daily life, and how disruptions to those systems drive real consequences.
This episode is designed as a mini masterclass to help you:
- Understand why disasters don’t impact everyone the same way
- See preparedness beyond gear, supplies, or checklists
- Recognize how essential systems shape risk
- Identify household vulnerabilities without fear or panic
- Make better decisions before stress takes over
We also walk through three simple questions you can ask tonight to better understand your household risk — no shopping, no downloads, just awareness.
Preparedness starts with understanding how your life actually works. That’s where real resilience begins.
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Email us at disasterclass@instinctready.com
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🔗 Sponsors & Partners
🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org
🛡️ Instinct Ready DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com
00:00 Sponsor Message: STOP THE BLEED Coalition
01:00 Preparedness Isn’t About Disasters
01:48 Why Systems Matter More Than Emergencies
03:00 What Risk Actually Means (Hazard × Vulnerability × Impact)
04:05 Essential Community Systems Explained
05:20 Why the Same Emergency Affects Households Differently
06:35 Vulnerability Is Context, Not Weakness
07:40 Three Questions to Understand Your Household Risk
09:25 Preparedness Starts With Understanding
