S1:E2 Dispatch Log: Code Orange – Risk, Neighbors, and Readiness

Emergencies don’t just test your physical readiness—they test your paperwork, too. In this episode of Code Orange, host Marty Sobo and producer Jonathan Price talk with attorney Heidi Gassman about how to prepare financially and legally before disaster strikes. Heidi explains what essential documents everyone should have—powers of attorney, medical directives, and HIPAA authorizations—and how to keep them accessible and secure. She also dives into fraud prevention, financial preparedness, and how blind and low-vision individuals can protect themselves from scams and unauthorized access. From fireproof safes to encrypted drives and verbal passwords, this conversation covers practical, no-nonsense steps for safeguarding your health, finances, and identity before crisis hits. Contact Info Guest: Heidi Gassman, Attorney at Law Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C. 📞 (303) 824-3140 🌐 rwolaw.com Organization: Aftersight — Supporting the blind and low-vision community 🌐 aftersight.org 📧 [email protected] 📞 (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer at Aftersight Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Heidi Gassman, Attorney Producer: Jonathan Price Production: Aftersight Originals Show: Code Orange — Emergency Preparedness for the Blind Community Chapter Markers 00:01 — Introduction and Halloween Banter 02:16 — Guest Introduction: Attorney Heidi Gassman 03:15 — Why Financial Planning Matters in Emergencies 04:36 — Building Your Financial “Go-Bag” 06:57 — Safe vs. Portable Storage Options 08:32 — The Most Important Legal Documents 09:14 — Medical Powers of Attorney Explained 11:40 — Uploading and Sharing Your Documents 13:59 — Free and Affordable Legal Resources 16:22 — Sharing Copies and Certifications 18:45 — Advance Medical Directives and End-of-Life Planning 20:05 — Accessibility for Blind and Low-Vision Clients 21:13 — Safeguarding Documents During Travel 23:35 — Digital and Cloud-Based Document Storage 25:59 — Financial Powers of Attorney 28:20 — Fraud Prevention and Identity Protection 30:37 — Secure Passwords and Encryption 32:50 — Red Flags and Scam Awareness 35:11 — Supported Decision-Making and Trust 37:29 — Handling Family Dynamics and Boundaries 39:50 — Closing and Resources

Code Orange host Marty Sobo and producer Jonathan Price talk with Michael Hingson about emergency readiness for blind and low-vision listeners. Hingson recounts evacuating the World Trade Center on 9/11 with his guide dog Roselle and extracts practical lessons: map environments in advance, build two-way trust with your guide dog, control fear, and practice intelligent disobedience. The episode covers first-30-seconds decision-making, travel in unfamiliar buildings, ally etiquette, and go-to tools for staying oriented and safe. Contact Info Guest / Resources Michael Hingson — Speaker & Author Email: [email protected] Podcast: Unstoppable Mindset Books: Thunder Dog, Running with Roselle, Live Like a Guide Dog Aftersight Website: www.aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer Credits Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — [email protected] , (720) 712-8856 Show Credits Show: Code Orange — Emergency Preparedness for the Blind Community Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Michael Hingson Voiceover / Producer: Jonathan Price Network: Aftersight Chapter Markers 00:01 — Cold open and show intro 00:28 — Host–producer banter 01:15 — Guest intro: who is Michael Hingson 02:28 — 9/11 context: 78th floor with Roselle 04:56 — Preparation mindset and building knowledge 07:22 — Stairwell evacuation and keeping order 09:45 — Fear control and calm signaling to the dog 12:08 — Learn your environment; don’t rely on signs 14:24 — Guide dog training vs rote routing 16:48 — Team trust and intelligent disobedience 19:11 — Handling triggers; praise to keep guiding 21:35 — One-time buildings: what to ask and note 24:00 — Practical tips for sighted allies 26:11 — Cane and dog share the same principles 28:32 — Asking for help to gain information 30:58 — Intelligent disobedience at crossings 33:21 — First 30 seconds checklist on impact 38:01 — Books and Unstoppable Mindset 40:19 — How to contact Michael 41:30 — Aftersight contacts and close

Rural vs urban readiness, without the fluff. Nevada OEM’s rural and frontier coordinator Kammy Kinkade breaks down what changes when roads are few, resources are thin, and response times stretch. We cover go-bag vs shelter-in-place kits, water and power continuity, generators and fuel planning, amateur radio for comms, neighbor networks, livestock and equipment plans, insurance and documentation, accessibility gaps for blind/low-vision residents, utility shutoffs, medical records, and why “30+ days ready” is the new baseline. Clear steps. Fewer assumptions. Higher odds you get through winter intact. Contact Info Guest: Kammy Kinkade, Rural & Frontier Coordinator, Nevada Office of Emergency Management; Paramedic — inquiries via Nevada OEM. Aftersight: aftersight.org | [email protected] | (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — [email protected] | (720) 712-8856 Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Kammy Kinkade Producer: Jonathan Price Editing & Post: Jonathan Price Airs on: Code Orange — Emergency Preparedness for the Blind Community Chapter Markers 00:01 — Cold open: Why Code Orange exists 00:31 — Rural vs urban: stakes and scale 02:55 — Role snapshot: Nevada OEM + paramedic work 05:20 — Wildfire realities: 50 acres vs 100,000 07:42 — The rural constraints: volunteers, distance, time 09:33 — Water logistics and hazmat limits 11:36 — Go-bag vs home kit: what each is for 13:54 — Threat mapping by region and hazard 16:17 — Infrastructure awareness: above vs underground 18:42 — Wells, pumps, freezing, backup power 20:41 — Comms that work: amateur/ham radio 23:01 — Ham clubs as emergency comm hubs 24:58 — Know your neighbors: lifesaving intel 27:39 — Ag speed: tractors, tenders, cutting fuel 29:56 — The big “don’t”: assume it won’t happen 32:11 — Checklists beat adrenaline 34:23 — Pets, livestock, meds, carriers, leashes 36:47 — Equipment, insurance, documentation 38:52 — Medical records and cloud backups 41:13 — Accessibility gaps: don’t rely on first responders 43:40 — Utility priority programs and oxygen power needs 46:01 — Label and know utility shutoffs 48:23 — Why response isn’t “10 minutes” rural 50:48 — Pipelines, access routes, and constraints 53:13 — Motivation: protect what you value 55:40 — Neighborhood planning meeting: make it real 57:56 — Advocate with local EM: show them the map 59:50 — Seasonal shift: winterize your plan 60:24 — Outro and contact points

In this episode of Code Orange, host Marty Sobo speaks with John Romano, Executive Director of Disaster Central and lead developer of the Be Ready app. Romano introduces Be Ready as a preparedness tool designed to help people with disabilities and access/functional needs build secure, individualized emergency plans. The app stores critical documents in an encrypted digital vault, supports OCR for accessibility, and allows secure sharing of plans via encrypted links. Romano emphasizes that preparedness is not just about tools but about mindset and community. He shares his background in disaster relief during Hurricane Sandy, his partnership with the University of Sydney’s Person-Centered Emergency Preparedness program, and his focus on coupling the app with training classes (“Dare to Prepare”). The conversation highlights accessibility considerations, integration with screen readers, partnerships with Independent Living Centers, and the importance of friends and family as the first line of response. Romano’s vision is to pilot the app in Colorado and Montana, then expand nationally and globally. Listeners are encouraged to visit DisasterCentral.org to learn more, join training sessions, and participate in pilot projects. Contact Info Guest: John Romano, Disaster Central Website: disastercentral.org Contact: disastercentral.org/contact Aftersight: aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast Producer at Aftersight Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: John Romano Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Production Chapter Markers 00:01 — Opening: Code Orange introduction 01:00 — John Romano’s role and Disaster Central 02:00 — Overview of the Be Ready app 04:30 — Security and compliance features 06:00 — Accessibility and screen reader support 08:00 — Pilot projects and training programs 11:30 — John’s background in Hurricane Sandy relief 13:30 — Partnerships with universities and best practices 16:00 — Building community networks for preparedness 18:20 — Transportation and evacuation challenges 21:00 — In-person and virtual preparedness training 23:20 — Philosophy: “With us, not about us” 25:30 — Closing: Contact info and future opportunities

AES — Code Orange S1:E3 Dispatch Log: Accessible Alerts with Carson MacPherson-Krutsky Episode Summary In this episode of Code Orange, host Marty Sobo and producer Jonathan Price welcome Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, a research associate at the Natural Hazards Center at CU Boulder. Carson shares her journey from geology to social science and disaster preparedness, sparked by the Oso landslide in Washington. The conversation dives into how emergency alerts are delivered, the accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities, and the surprising gaps in how communities prepare for and communicate during crises. The team discusses the importance of personal networks, differences between rural and urban preparedness, and tools like NOAA weather radios, ham radios, and go-bags. Carson highlights the patchwork nature of alerting systems, stressing the need for community feedback to help authorities improve accessibility. Marty and Jonathan emphasize practical steps listeners can take right away—like signing up for local alerts, building a support system, and re-purposing household items for emergency use. This episode blends expert research with real-world advice, giving listeners a roadmap for taking small, manageable steps toward disaster preparedness. Contact Info Guest: Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, Research Associate, Natural Hazards Center at CU Boulder Website: hazards.colorado.edu Aftersight: Website: aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Carson MacPherson-Krutsky Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Chapter Markers 00:01 — Intro: Disaster doesn’t wait 01:20 — Post-hike reflections and Lions Club thanks 02:10 — Meet Carson: From geology to social science 03:40 — The Oso landslide and a career shift 06:00 — Research on emergency alerts in Colorado 09:00 — Accessibility gaps and surprising survey results 11:20 — Cell tower failures and delayed alerts 13:50 — Building networks and community resilience 16:10 — Alert providers and county systems 18:35 — Rural vs. urban alerting resources 20:56 — Personal networks and local resilience 23:10 — Feedback loops with emergency managers 25:31 — G ...

In this episode of Code Orange, host Marty Sobo sits down with Neva Fairchild from WayAround to explore how NFC tagging technology can empower blind and low-vision individuals in emergency preparedness. Neva explains how WayAround tags work with smartphones, including iPhone, Android, and BlindShell devices, to label and identify everything from important documents to medication, clothing, and go bags. The conversation dives deep into using WayAround as a tool for creating, practicing, and updating evacuation and shelter-in-place plans. Neva highlights different tag types—stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips—and explains their practical use in real-world emergencies. She shares powerful personal stories of navigating fires, floods, and blackouts, underscoring the importance of practicing plans, rotating supplies, and preparing for both evacuation and shelter-in-place scenarios. Listeners will come away with actionable strategies for building a well-equipped go bag, tagging critical information like IDs and insurance documents, preparing medication, and ensuring family-wide access to emergency plans. This episode makes clear that preparedness is not just about having supplies—it’s about rehearsing responses until they become second nature. Contact Info Guest: Neva Fairchild — WayAround Website: wayaround.com Phone: 1-888-898-4265 App: WayAround Tag and Scan (iOS & Android) Aftersight: Website: aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Neva Fairchild Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Podcast Chapter Markers 00:01 — Code Orange intro 01:30 — What is WayAround and how it works 04:30 — Using tags to build and update emergency plans 07:00 — Different types of WayAround tags 09:20 — Everyday practice for emergency readiness 11:40 — Importance of planning and practicing as a family 13:50 — Sharing plans across devices and accounts 16:10 — What to pack in a go bag 18:30 — Medication rotation and tagging systems 20:40 — Solar chargers, radios, and light sources 23:00 — Pets, canes, and family communication during emergencies 25:00 — Protecting documents with dry bags and tags 27:40 — Redundancy: Dropbox, tags, and paper copies 30:00 — Personal story: panic during an office fire 32:30 — Fire drills, gyroscopes, and the buddy system 37:10 — California wildfires and unprepared evacuations 39:20 — Flood evacuations and lessons learned 41:30 — Shelter-in-place vs evacuation readiness 44:00 — Expiration dates, MREs, and tagging food supplies 46:00 — Closing thoughts and resources

In this episode of Code Orange, hosts Marty Sobo and Jonathan Price are joined by Monica Weber, coordinator at the Boulder Office of Disaster Management. Together, they dive into the fundamentals of personal and community preparedness for disasters. Monica explains the concept of risk—likelihood and impact—and how individuals can tailor their own risk assessments. The conversation explores practical planning steps such as building a support system, creating family communication plans, preparing for evacuation or shelter-in-place scenarios, and conducting home safety assessments from both a blind and sighted perspective. Listeners will also hear how small steps—like labeling essentials, signing up for emergency alerts, or simply talking with neighbors—can make a big difference. Monica closes with five key action items for everyone to begin their preparedness journey. This episode emphasizes empowerment: preparation doesn’t have to be perfect, but starting today makes you safer tomorrow. Contact Info Guest: Monica Weber Coordinator, Boulder Office of Disaster Management Email: [email protected] Website: boulderodm.gov Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Co-Host: Jonathan Price Guest: Monica Weber Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Podcast Chapter Markers 00:01 — Opening Monologue: Disaster doesn’t wait 01:30 — Introducing Jonathan and Monica 03:00 — What is risk? Likelihood and impact 05:20 — Family and community planning basics 08:10 — Building a support triangle 11:30 — Why first responders may not reach you 13:55 — Home safety and accessibility for blind individuals 16:10 — Visual home assessments and wildfire mitigation 18:35 — Cane placement and furniture hazards 21:00 — Practicing plans and timed drills 25:20 — Understanding alerts: advisory, warning, order 27:40 — Overcoming preparedness perfectionism 29:55 — Everyday items that save lives (shoes, chargers, layers) 32:20 — Monica’s five action steps for preparedness 37:00 — Boulder resources and free programs 39:20 — Closing, Aftersight contacts, and final thoughts

The premiere of Code Orange kicks off with host Marty Sobo and guest Penn Street diving into why this show exists: to bring emergency preparedness into focus for the blind and low-vision community. From Penn’s personal experiences with Colorado floods to Marty’s firsthand accounts of California wildfires, the two underscore how unprepared many people are when disaster strikes. They tackle the gaps in emergency alerts, the risks of not having a plan, and the importance of neighbors and support networks. They also explore practical steps: building a go-bag with essentials like a cane, meds, backup power, clothes, food, and pet supplies; setting up ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts; and even preparing service animals with their own “to-go” kits. This conversation challenges the idea that people with disabilities are simply “at risk.” Instead, Penn and Marty argue that the blind community can lead the way in preparedness, often planning ahead and adapting faster than sighted peers. The episode closes with a strong call to action: preparation isn’t fear—it’s survival and leadership. Contact Info Guest: Penn Street — [email protected] | The Blind Chick Podcast (available on all major platforms) Organization: Aftersight — aftersight.org | [email protected] Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast Producer at Aftersight Show Credits Host: Marty Sobo Guest: Penn Street Producer: Jonathan Price Chapter Markers 00:01 — Show Intro: Why Code Orange exists 02:15 — The origin story: floods, fires, and lived experience 04:45 — Gaps in preparedness and the danger of “grab anything” 07:10 — The importance of having a plan vs. improvising 09:25 — Evacuation challenges when blind and alone 11:50 — Should disabilities be marked for responders? 14:15 — Building support with trusted neighbors 16:30 — People with disabilities as leaders in disasters 19:00 — Guide dog stories from 9/11 and beyond 21:15 — What to pack: essentials for a go-bag 25:40 — Pet and service animal preparedness 28:00 — Travel and hotel emergencies 30:20 — Top three steps in an emergency 35:00 — Failures of the alert system 38:30 — Tech gaps: rural areas, Wi-Fi, and cell towers 43:00 — Homework for listeners: to-do lists and go-bags 45:30 — Final goals: education, awareness, and hope 48:00 — ICE contacts and medical ID setup 50:15 — Tech tools for safety (Apple Watch, smartphones) 52:00 — Looking ahead: topics and expert guests 54:00 — Closing thoughts and contact information