Preparedness and Communications

A reclassification would mean the 911 telecommunicator position would be classified as a Protective Service Occupation and entitled to the same benefits as other first responders, including mental health support.

Given the unpredictable nature of earthquakes, California's Office of Emergency Services urges residents to download the state's free MyShake App, which can give critical early warnings of a destructive quake.

Two conservation groups in Montana have brought lawsuits against logging projects and prescribed burns, claiming that they hurt wildlife, but some say the complaints have made it more difficult to fight wildfires.

A survey found that less than 40 percent of agencies spend at least 10 percent of their budget on prevention, while 42 percent said they don't use any software to detect and monitor fires.

The Park Fire, currently burning north of Chico, has already become the second-largest wildfire in California history, in a county that has seen more than its share of devastating blazes in the past decade.

The company, which already serves the federal government, has released a data-based product to other public agencies. The goal is to help officials with flood response, management and recovery operations.

The town’s plan expired in 2023. The new hazard mitigation plan will be valid for five years following the Town Council’s adoption of it. The planning process is funded by a $18,000 grant and $2,000 by the town.

What could become the first named storm of hurricane season had wind speeds of 40 mph as of Tuesday morning and triggered a tropical storm warning on the Texas coast.

Ahead of what's forecast to be an active hurricane season, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is ready with digitized services for residents and connections to Starlink satellites to ensure reliable Internet.

A proposed Emergency Response Standard would increase training requirements for firefighters, which could prove too costly for volunteer brigades or mean some volunteers have to drop out of the programs.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people flee ahead of a storm — and where to find those who remain — but city and county officials say they get a clearer picture with each passing hurricane season.

The two-day drill is the ninth annual disaster field course conducted by Florida International University's Academy for International Disaster Preparedness, where students are taken through a full-scale disaster response.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 2024 storm season prediction last week, which forecasts an 85 percent chance of above-normal hurricane and tropical storm activity due in part to warmer-than-average ocean temperatures.

The Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association has brought in First Arriving to help recruit, train and retain volunteer firefighters by marketing the opportunities it offers, like free training.

Last month's derecho reminded Houston that severe storms can spring up without much warning. The derecho cast a bright light on the area's preparedness since officials had little lead time to activate emergency operations.