In this episode of the Fractional Source Podcast, Joe Goodwin joins James Mitchell and TJ Kennedy to explore what real preparedness means for state and local governments. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer, Joe has led strategic initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels—serving as Pennsylvania’s Deputy Homeland Security Director and advising key programs within the Department of Homeland Security and CISA.

Joe underscores that preparedness is not just about predicting bad events but ensuring capabilities match the risks at hand. Joe explains how a structured, data-driven approach can help governments assess threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences in a practical way. He also highlights the value of tabletop exercises, which not only expose gaps but also build critical cross-agency relationships and uncover hidden strengths.

The team stresses that even small, consistent investments can deliver major improvements for small and mid-sized communities. At the same time, senior executives must champion preparedness to make it part of the organizational culture. The key takeaway is that preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and incremental progress can deliver extraordinary resilience dividends.