“That’s not just poor governance—it’s reckless”: Disaster management professor Jack Rozdilsky on why he left Trump’s America
The emergency preparedness expert talks gutting FEMA, the growing disregard for democratic norms and what we need most in these uncertain times
Who: Jack Rozdilsky, 56, professor of disaster and emergency management, York University Known for: Training the next generation of catastrophe experts Moved from: Western Illinois University in August of 2016
Disaster management isn’t for the faint of heart. How did you end up in the field? I’ve always been drawn to complex questions that don’t have easy answers. Disasters are like that. If a flood devastates a city, it’s one thing to rebuild the homes and roads, but how do you help a traumatized community recover and reduce the impact of future disasters? Those are tougher challenges.
You moved to Toronto in 2016, three months before Trump was elected. What were you getting ahead of? When Trump secured the Republican nomination, it was clear that dark clouds were gathering. When a position opened at York University, I applied. The idea that a reality TV star could become president seemed absurd, but living in the Midwest, I knew his rhetoric resonated with a lot of people.
What did those dark clouds look like to you? A growing disregard for democratic norms. Over the course of Trump’s tenures, there’s been an increasing obsession with executive power, the dismantling of long-standing institutions and a fire hose of falsehoods flooding the public discourse. Recently, there’s been talk of gutting FEMA, which would be disastrous for public safety. That’s not just poor governance—it’s reckless.
What have you focused on since settling in Canada? I’m helping to train the next generation of emergency managers, people who will go on to work in policing, fire services and public safety. I also conduct academic research on recent disasters, both natural and human-made. I make that work accessible to policy makers and the public through my writing on topics like the 2018 Toronto van attack and the Vaughan condo mass shooting in 2022, which happened in my building. My background studying mass shootings in the US helped me process that terrible event and pushed me into an advocacy role. In Canada, we have skilled first responders who do an excellent job in the immediate crisis. But, once the sirens fade, support for survivors can be inconsistent. The long-term coordination—caring for victims, sharing information—needs improvement.
Related: Tales of hope and resilience in the aftermath of the Yonge Street van attack
How are you and your colleagues helping with that? This fall, York is launching Canada’s first PhD program in disaster and emergency management, a clear sign of how rapidly the field is expanding. The academic interest reflects a broader reality: disasters are happening more often. We’re seeing more climate-related events and a troubling rise in violent incidents like the recent Piper Arms pub shooting in Scarborough. These events demonstrate that emergency management isn’t just about preparing for rare worst-case scenarios—it’s becoming part of everyday life.
Speaking of worst-case scenarios, what about Trump’s 51st-state rhetoric? Something like that creates political risk. The uncertainty around tariffs affects entire sectors of our economy. When you can’t predict whether a 25 per cent tariff is going to be slapped on your goods next month, it’s like living under threat. It disrupts planning, damages trust and leaves people scrambling. We often associate disasters with acts of nature, but poor political decision-making can be just as destabilizing.
In these uncertain times, what do we need most? We need calm, clear-headed crisis management. This requires facts, science and thoughtful analysis—tools that help us make sense of chaos. Right now, it feels like we’re being bombarded by falsehoods and distractions. That kind of noise makes it harder to prepare and respond effectively.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.
Ali Amad is a Palestinian-Canadian journalist based in Toronto. His work has appeared in publications including Toronto Life, Maclean’s, Vice, Reader’s Digest and the Walrus, often exploring themes of identity, social justice and the immigrant experience.
