Preparedness and Communications

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has deployed a new system with artificial intelligence to answer calls that are not life-threatening emergencies. Those calls previously encountered some delays.

County and state fire departments, the sheriff’s office, CHP and city officials explained how they collaborate to ensure emergency personnel can do their jobs and notify residents when evacuation is necessary.

The emergency notification app CrimeRadar uses artificial intelligence to interpret police and fire dispatch channels. It recently sent notifications about fires in the Boulder area that were not actually happening.

Following wildfires in March 2025, the city approved an agreement with FEMA to use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which allows for virtual GPS-based boundaries to trigger targeted automated alerts.

The City Council approved $989,000 to build a fully functional emergency operations center at the Community and Recreation Center. It will replace the existing EOC, housed in a break room at City Hall.

In December the county upgraded its emergency alert system with technology that allows the Emergency Management Agency to draw targeted subgroups that include first responders and city, county and school officials.

In December a judge ordered that FEMA restore funding to its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, including money earmarked for Washington. Tuesday, a coalition of states asked that the ruling be enforced.

The company is moving beyond its roots in floodplain management tools for local government. The goal is to provide faster services to residents when it comes to permitting, emergency management and other areas.

The tri-state area is anticipating dangerously cold temperatures, “well below zero” wind chills and more snowfall. A Code Blue warning is currently in effect in New York City, which means additional emergency protocols.

Lawmakers and leaders of California’s mental health crisis centers hoped that by 2026 the state would have a more robust system to address the growing need for behavioral health services. But delays have frustrated stakeholders.

Several General Assembly members representing the state's Appalachian region will seek funding to form a new resilience office charged with mitigating, preparing for and responding to disasters.

The rollout follows several years of planning and state-funded upgrades to Laredo's 911 infrastructure, including new dispatch technology and cybersecurity protections approved by City Council in 2024 and 2025.

As in many states across the country, Ohio residents are being advised to take serious precautions amid dangerously cold temperatures expected to last through the beginning of February.

By being classified as first responders rather than administrative workers, dispatchers could see improved access to benefits and support in a demanding profession that often operates behind the scenes.

A contract with Motorola Solutions will enable the county to do a better job of safeguarding its emergency radio communications system. Tower sites and radio dispatch consoles will get 24/7 security.