COMMUNICATION & INTEROPERABILITY ARCHIVES
Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Child Survivors
Emily Heard
May 21, 2025
Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Providing psychosocial support is essential in helping them cope with these challenges, thereby building resilient communities.
Physical and Mental Injuries in First Responders: Why Wait?
Pascal Rodier
May 14, 2025
First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. To truly support first responders, mental wellness must be fully integrated into recruit training programs and proactively addressed throughout their
Not Lost in Translation: A Multilingual Corps Approach
Diana Sanchez-Vega
May 14, 2025
Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
A Holistic Strategy for Respondersā Well-Being
Camilo Olivieri
May 7, 2025
First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
Bridging Communication Gaps: Lessons from Hurricane Helene
Greg Hauser
April 30, 2025
Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invisible breakdown of communication systems intensified the sense of isolation and
Connectivity: The Foundation of Disaster Response and Preparedness
Cory Davis
April 30, 2025
In an era of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the demands on first responders have never been greater. To navigate high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations, reliable connectivity and cutting-edge technology are essential. A fast, secure, and resilient communications network is the backbone of any effective disaster response.
Emergency Alerts: The Missing Link
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
April 23, 2025
As satellite-to-cell technology grows more common, cell phone makers must move quickly to adopt it. This link can bridge emergency services and the public, no matter the disaster or condition of ground networks. Learn how real-time satellite communication saves lives by offering vital access for users and first responders.
Hidden Barriers to Public Safety Interoperability
Gabe Elias
April 23, 2025
Decades of work have improved public safetyās ability to share information. However, the journey toward better interoperable communication requires uncovering additional hidden barriers.
A Regional Approach to Public Safety Communications Planning
Charles (Charley) Bryson
April 16, 2025
Despite significant investments in public safety, critical training gaps for first responders persist. Regional planning committees, established by the FCC in the 1980s to manage public safety radio frequencies, remain key to improving interoperability. Learn about ongoing effortsāboth regional and nationalāto close communication gaps and improve coordinated emergency response.
A Systems Thinking Approach to Improving Emergency Communications
William Chapman
April 16, 2025
āPACEā planning helps organizations fail gracefully, but systems thinking reduces the likelihood of failure altogether. Combining both approaches helps organizations build resilience, regardless of threat or hazard.
Know the Audience: Five Keys to Effective Communication
Marc Hill
April 9, 2025
Effective communication starts with understanding your audienceāwho they are, what they know, why theyāre listening, and what they need to hear. Learn how this awareness can help you deliver a message your audience will understand, connect with, and remember.
AI Software in 911 Dispatch Centers: An Innovative Solution
Tanya M. Scherr
April 2, 2025
Coupled with continued staffing challenges, mental health and work-life balance difficulties in emergency call centers are cause for concern. By allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to take some of the burden off from existing staff and leadership, focus can be returned to where it is most needed within each center.
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