Speed Up to Slow Down: AI as a Force Multiplier EMs with Tom Sivak

This episode features Tom Sivak, Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where we discuss why artificial intelligence is no longer optional for the emergency management community — it's a matter of survival. We explore how underfunded, understaffed EM agencies can leverage AI as a force multiplier across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Tom shares his vision of turning static emergency plans into living, role-based decision support tools, moving from project-based to program-based AI integration, and protecting decision-making from misinformation and AI hallucinations. The conversation underscores that while AI accelerates information synthesis and planning, humans remain firmly in control. Either we adopt and control the technology or it winds up controlling us. Time Stamps 2:20 — AI as a Force Multiplier: Why It's Survival, Not Just Innovation, for the One-Person EM Shop 9:21 — Hesitancy & Fear: "AI Will Take Our Jobs" vs. Humans Still Controlling the Levers 11:39 — From AI-Curious to AI-Enabled: Operationalizing AI on Blue-Sky and Gray-Sky Days 15:04 — "Plans Should Come to Us": Turning Static PDFs into Living Decision Support 22:39 — Velocity of Crisis & Information Overload: Protecting Decision-Making from Bad Inputs and Outputs About Tom Sivak is the Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where he’s focused on putting AI to work for real-world preparedness, response, and operational planning. He previously served as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, leading federal emergency management support across the Great Lakes region—including dozens of tribal nations—and has also held senior local roles in Chicago and Cook County emergency management. Sivak is a certified emergency manager (CEM®) with a practitioner-first track record building capability, sharpening coordination, and pushing readiness that actually holds up under pressure. Links:

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Speed Up to Slow Down: AI as a Force Multiplier EMs with Tom Sivak is an episode from Dancing with the Black Elephant by Andrew Boyarsky.

This episode is 30:34 long.

This episode was published on Mar 23, 2026.

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