Preparedness and Communications

The project from the state Department of Environmental Quality mimics nature’s way of handling excessive rainfall, using a large retention pond and indigenous plants to capture water and slow its release into a nearby creek.

A study found that homes built with fire-resistant materials and that had cleared vegetation within 5 feet of walls, in line with California's proposed "zone zero" regulations, were more likely to survive the January wildfires.

Energized by a donation, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s drone program now handles everything from search and rescue to fighting blazes and setting prescribed burns.

Boulder County this week awarded about $2 million to mainly rural fire districts in the third round of fall grants from the Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax.

Stolen data from the data breach was published online as emergency management and law enforcement officials in jurisdictions across the country took their subscriptions offline.

Between 2019 and 2025, California paid four tech companies over $450 million to build out its Next-Generation 911 system, but it didn't work as planned. A pivot to a new plan could cost hundreds of millions more.

Clark County first responders report their current 911 infrastructure is long overdue for a digital transformation. The county proposes a $1 monthly fee per telephone line to help offset costs.

NERIS is set to replace a 50-year-old emergency incident reporting program on a Jan. 1 nationwide rollout. The new system has presented business opportunities for suppliers of government technology.

A new after-action report from the Los Angeles Police Department says poor coordination with the Fire Department contributed to evacuation delays and chaos during the Palisades Fire in January.

Currently the city spends over $1 million a year on EMS transport for its frequent 911 callers, most of whom have a mental health diagnosis. The iPads will connect them with help, relieving strain on first responders.

As part of National First Responders Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted new initiatives including a program that aims to assist public safety agencies to create or improve their own responder wellness efforts.

The idea behind the new technology is to enable quicker emergency response in case of school shootings or weapons threats. The effort reflects larger trends in public safety and government technology.

Metro Atlanta’s biggest 911 dispatch centers are spending millions to switch their networks from copper wire to digital, enabling new features such as video feeds and precise location capabilities.

The way forward for emergency alerting is a technology-based system that's consistent across local, state and federal levels that will reach Americans quickly, clearly and reliably when disaster strikes.

First responders from nearly a dozen communities spent the weekend training with Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, which included lectures and full drills to practice for real-world events.