By: Co-Founder Kyle Dickson

In the ever evolving field of emergency management, business continuity, and disaster services providing services such as  preparedness, first responder training, and other aspects of the emergency management process come from multiple sources. Some may be federal, state, local, or private sector to assist communities attain their goals. These private resources are often well known private consulting companies and in 2025 a new one entered the scene to change how communities are partnered with for better results or increasing resilience.

Any consulting firm can tell a community what they think they need based on outside observations but the best way to find out is by asking the local population where their gaps are in their government management or local emergency responders. Zero Hour is taking that to another level and is envisioning leveraging the partnerships it’s building to reach much farther than previously thought. We want not only to be part of the conversation but view a community centered approach as a better way to work in disaster readiness.

So far this approach has given Zero Hour tangible results but drawn potential partners to us. Already we have sparked interest in our services from as far away as the country of Kenya. One morning our company co-founder received a message over linked in from an individual named Montkells, a growing emergency management professional stating he saw a potential fit for Zero Hour to work with his community. Upon meeting him virtually the first question was where would we fit in according to him. Allowing Montkells to take the lead and as a contact he may eventually become a project based employee in the region. 

For us not only having a local voice to get us in the door but having a resident emergency management professional on the ground is someone local government is more likely to be receptive to. The outcome is putting a local resident and emergency management professional in the driver’s seat as myself and my colleague oversee projects from home. Overall establishing a connection and trust with local officials or organizations may be easier. As this has grown a surprising revelation came to light as preparedness and training first responders seems to be an area that is lacking in his community creating a potential shortfall. Our services aim to fix that gap by providing training and expertise but also ensuring the community has buy-in and is heard by professionals.

Going ahead for Zero Hour means expanding our company reach as interest in working with us builds in hopes of making a difference in as many communities as possible. Seeking to build trust between us and clients is a paramount goal. To achieve this as a company our team remains small right now to ensure as few hoops to jump through and maximize direct contact with them to meet needs. Working together by having local emergency management professionals as a team leads can help us keep a pulse so to speak on what is possibly changing or new challenges arising from climate change or even new developments adding new hazards in the area. 

Eventually should such a scenario play out, working with local officials and community leaders would be smoother as having an emergency management professional working with us on our team to represent his neighbors adds a more personal touch and more importantly a genuine connection to the work being done. Adding representation by having the community at the heart is what we would like to be our signature. After all, the community in which we serve is the best source for guidance on making the most out of projects that need to be met. Hopefully like in the case of Montkells in Kenya, a connection to that population by having  members on our team will be a turning point for Zero Hour Consulting LLC.

As a company setting ourselves apart with access to unique technology, scenario building, and partnerships that bring more resources is only the start. Being the most trusted by having emergency management experts as part of our team in the exact community they live in serves as advocates for positive change. The sky is the limit and protecting what matters most is what we as a company will always strive for.