Disaster Management
The disaster management resource page covers a range of news and information on how fire departments respond to major disasters. Features tackle topics like how to lead during times of crisis, incident communications and interoperability, preparation for active shooter events, and response efforts to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and other significant weather events. Use this page to find resources, articles and tips to help aid your department in responding to disasters, as well as details on FEMA and USAR responses to recent incidents.
Earthquake
Firefighters describe their actions 30 years ago during the earthquake that claimed 72 lives
Tornado
Four adults and two children were killed in severe storms that hit in Montgomery County and north of Nashville
82% of U.S. fire departments are all or mostly volunteer and, often, their funding depends on people stepping up to help
Over 50 gathered to discuss disaster response and recovery options
At the scene, it starts with patient tracking – and Texas has a new approach
Monterey County Undersheriff Keith Boyd said 20-40 people remained trapped near the Salinas River as roads were impassible
“We can’t plan for everything, but with the right people, policies, training, and supervision in place we can best handle whatever may come our way”
USA-01 and USA-2 members were thanked by the U.S. secretary of state and welcomed home by loved ones
The incident in Ohio serves as a reminder for all first responders to both train and coordinate early and often with community partners
Los Angeles County is sending dozens of search-and-rescue crewmembers, along with six search dogs and three structural engineers
EMS providers and volunteer firefighters were deployed for a 72-hour shift and responded to 600+ calls on their first night
Earthquake
The Rio Dell Fire Department was delayed in responding to some 60 calls because its garage doors were off the hinges and had to be pried open
Optimize your readiness for natural and manmade disasters and other expanded response efforts
Hurricane Ian
More than 300 people from multiple states joined the Fort Myers Beach mission, where they found human remains more than a week after the storm’s landfall
In Fort Myers Beach, Task Force 2 members search for survivors street by street
Five Task Forces, including search dogs and their handlers, have been activated for Hurricane Ian and deployed in or around Florida
A list of relevant and authoritative situational awareness resources for use by fire and EMS leaders
Paid and volunteer firefighters worked together to answer hundreds of calls for rescues
What to expect as task forces deploy to hurricane ravaged areas
Gov. Greg Abbott thanked emergency management personnel and first responders for their quick, effective response to this historic flooding event
The fire service must heed relevant warnings to prepare for predictable major events and increase department resilience for the truly unpredictable events
The nearly 30-foot trailer can serve as a private 5G standalone network connected to the THOR command center vehicle
The Lexington Fire Department deployed crews, two boats and its mobile ambulance bus
More than 400 firefighters are battling the Oak Fire amid hot weather, low humidity and bone-dry vegetation
Tornado
Firefighters and EMS providers helped with recovery after the storm left three people injured, hundreds of homes damaged and thousands without power
Emergency Preparedness
The fire department is recruiting volunteers to be taught team coordination, preparedness, first aid and light search and rescue skills
The president approved a disaster declaration that brings new financial resources to remote stretches of the state devastated by fire since early April
The Emergency Management Performance Grant helps governments make key investments so that they can better respond to disasters
Russia-Ukraine War
From freelancing to insurance, there are several factors that should impact go/no-go deployment decisions
Crews and team members from within the state, plus Calif. and Texas have been dispatched
Rescuers have had to crawl over the dead to get to the living, said Jeremy Creason, Mayfield’s fire chief and emergency services director
National Guard members and emergency workers from across the state were pouring into Mayfield to help with a search and rescue operation
Storm remnants from Hurricane Ida caused torrential rain, flooding and tornadoes in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
