Preparedness and Communications

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.

In California, Pennsylvania, Washington and elsewhere, water districts are often turning to GIS and other tech tools to better serve their communities and the increasing needs of firefighting.

The communications giant has rolled out a priority 5G slice, a 50 percent bigger drone fleet, satellite texting and more deployables aimed at keeping first responders connected throughout emergencies.

A report critical of the county's emergency preparedness and response will be presented to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Officials plan to propose a department restructure, adding more staff and funding.

The 2025 hurricane season has so far been historically quiet and the typical peak has passed, but a tropical storm could affect the Mid-Atlantic coast early next week. Experts say this second peak is a trend.

The one-year pilot program uses satellites and thermal imaging to identify new fires and predict possible spread. The platform comes from German firm OroraTech, which says Idaho is the first in the country to use it.

Three events held by Polk County Family Resource Centers will include information on how to connect with FEMA, how to create a family emergency plan and other information one might not think of during an emergency.

BurnBot can kill the flammable brush sitting within feet of homes and highways on even the hottest and driest days and with virtually no safety risks or disruptions to daily life. Southern California is giving it a shot.

Gov. Tina Kotek signed an executive order Monday to ensure all new state buildings over 10,000 square feet meet the highest seismic safety standards so that in the event of a big quake, government can continue delivering essential services.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene ripped through the South, causing $1.5 billion in damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power, utility companies are taking lessons learned and bolstering their resilience.

After a hurricane passes, scientists routinely evaluate the computer models that predicted its path and power. This year, a surprising new contender has emerged — a forecast model generated by AI.

Following the July 29 tsunami warning that revealed weaknesses in the Aloha State's preparedness, officials are examining how public communication, evacuation orders and siren systems can change going forward.

The Texas Water Development Board would have to identify areas that have a history of severe flooding, and the local governments in those regions would be required to install and regularly test the siren systems.

Designed to be the wildfire version of a tornado shelter, the FORT is a shed-like emergency shelter that can withstand heat and keep out smoke. The structures could go into production this fall and cost around $70,000.

Coastal advisories are in place for Florida, but Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall on its forecast path. The storm's winds, however, will be of concern in southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic.