Natural Disaster
Major Roger Leslie Leatherman was a firefighter with the Laurel County Fire Department
Is your department ready to launch a natural disaster response amid reduced staffing and backup systems?
Severe flash flooding across western Maryland prompts rescues from cars, houses, schools and businesses
Unable to hose 200-foot crowns, crews battling the Garnet Fire climb the trees to knock out smoldering debris after sprinklers and clearing spared the famed Sierra Nevada grove from damage
The fast-moving 6-5 Fire scorched more than 4,000 acres, forcing evacuations in the Gold Rush town of Chinese Camp
With no radios or resources, firefighters improvised networks and used personal boats to save thousands
Laura Russell’s first hurricane activation as a paramedic turned into a fight for survival as levees broke and chaos spread
As we mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, Chief Marc Bashoor reflects on recent shakeups at the agency and its ultimate responsibility
Two decades after the devastating hurricane, FEMA’s role is under fire — and the lessons still feel unlearned
FEMA workers who joined a 180-signature letter warning that staff and budget cuts imperil disaster response have been put on indefinite paid leave
Experts say Katrina’s communication breakdowns, coordination gaps and aid delays still shape policy and should guide today’s debates over FEMA’s future
The “Katrina Declaration and Petition to Congress” calls out reductions to CERT, the National Fire Academy and hazard grants as weakening national disaster readiness
The Pickett Fire in Napa County and the Flat Fire spanning Deschutes and Jefferson counties have prompted evacuation orders and warnings for more than 5,000 residents
Kristin Crowley’s legal claim says Bass ousted her and ran a “misinformation” campaign to shift blame for L.A.’s most destructive wildfire
All 179 inmates were evacuated from Rifle prison as the 167-square-mile wildfire spread
Los Angeles-area chiefs detail lessons from the January firestorm to guide all-hazards response
The AP reconstructed the July 4 Texas flash flood rescue using responder audio and survivor footage, revealing a chaotic response as the disaster killed 136 people
From hazard mapping to resource deployment, AI is changing the way agencies prepare for major incidents
Burning over 129 square miles in steep, remote terrain, the Gifford Fire has injured at least three people and forced closures in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
FEMA is now accepting applications for over a dozen grant programs to support emergency readiness, including natural disasters and cyber threats
FEMA acting administrator David Richardson defended the agency’s response, denying claims of delays and calling the federal-state coordination a model for disaster response
A proposed federal budget would eliminate funding for over half of FEMA’s emergency and homeland security grant programs, for training, equipment and readiness efforts
Pennsylvania’s emergency director urged FEMA to reconsider policy changes that could raise aid thresholds and cost shares, risking future disaster relief for the state
Ken Pagurek stepped down after delays in deploying FEMA teams to deadly Texas flooding, citing growing frustration with DHS oversight and the Trump administration’s handling of disaster response
The number of people missing after the July 4 floods in Texas has dropped to just three as search efforts continue and officials praise rescuers for their progress
Marble Falls Chief Michael Phillips never returned after responding to the deadly floods over the Independence Day weekend that killed more than 100 people
President Trump toured flood-ravaged Kerr County, praising first responders and local officials while avoiding criticism over FEMA cuts
The Austin Firefighters Association launched a no-confidence vote over claims Chief Joel Baker delayed flood aid to Kerr County, allegations he denies as city leaders back him
With more than 160 people still missing after deadly Hill Country floods, Texas search teams face the emotional toll of recovering bodies while managing the mental strain of their work
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