First response

RESILIENCEImproving Resilience to Tsunamis and Earthquakes via Predictions of Waste Disposal Times
Researchers develop framework to predict cleanup times after seismic events by analyzing the interdependence of disposal facilities and road networks.
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DISASTERSUncertainty About Federal Disaster Aid Looms as Storms Roll In
By Cassandra Stephenson, Phillip Powell, Lucas Dufalla, and Ilan Ireland
Multiple states bordering the Mississippi River are still waiting for federal disaster aid decisions.
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DISASTERSAs Hurricane Season Approaches, Trump’s NOAA Budget Cuts Threaten Safety
By Alice C. Hill
President Trump’s NOAA cuts will significantly hamper the public’s understanding of the environment and weather forecasting, negatively affecting people in the United States and abroad.
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EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONSmart Algorithms Prevent Digital Traffic Jams—Especially When Public Emergencies Strike
In critical moments of public emergencies like earthquakes or extreme weather, network slowdowns can block urgent alerts, delay emergency updates, or disrupt public transit coordination.
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DISASTERSFlood Risk Increasing in Pacific Northwest
By Felicia Spencer
The next great earthquake isn’t the only threat to the Pacific Northwest. A powerful earthquake, combined with rising sea levels, could significantly increase flood risks in the Pacific Northwest, impacting thousands of residents and properties in northern California, Oregon, and Washington.
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SEARCH & RESCUENext-Gen UAVs Enhance Search and Rescue Efficiency
Search and rescue operations often face difficulties due to unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, and limited resources. UAVs offer a promising approach to search and rescue missions, but there is a need for improved Aerial Person Detection (APD) technologies to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of UAV-based rescue efforts.
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SEARCH & RESCUEA Flexible Robot Can Help Emergency Responders Search Through Rubble
By Haley Wahl
SPROUT, developed by Lincoln Laboratory and University of Notre Dame researchers, is a vine robot capable of navigating under collapsed structuresSPROUT, developed by Lincoln Laboratory and University of Notre Dame researchers, is a vine robot capable of navigating under collapsed structures.
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DISASTERSDevastation from 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Myanmar Underscores Regional Lag in Construction Standards, Regulations, Says Resilience Expert
By Tanner Stening
A lot of factors are converging here,” says Daniel Aldrich, director of the university’s Resilience Studies Program. “But the bottom line is we’re talking about construction standards in developing countries.”
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DISASTER RESPONSEIf FEMA Didn’t Exist, Could States Handle the Disaster Response on Their Own?
By Ming Xie
Coordinating disaster response is complex, the paperwork for federal assistance can be frustrating, and the agency does draw criticism. However, it also fills an important role. As the frequency of natural disasters continues to rise due to climate change, ask yourself: How prepared is your state for a disaster, and could it get by without federal aid?
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ROBOTICSRobot with LiDAR Laser Explores Danger Zones
In a disaster such as a chemical plant incident or flooding, emergency services need ways to quickly get an overview of the situation. But in many cases, they are not permitted to enter the scene itself in order to avoid putting themselves at risk.
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TRUTH DECAYOn Hurricanes and Hoaxes: A Case for Finding Common Ground
By Rosie Semlyen
Conspiracy theories offer an easy, emotionally satisfying answer to a complicated problem. Instead of facing the reality of climate change, or reckoning with their own complicity, people can choose a different story: that climate disasters are manipulated, that scientists are corrupt, and that the crisis is exaggerated for political gain.
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CRISIS MANAGEMENTCrisis Management Agencies Facing Crises
By Christina Lengyel
Ninety-five percent of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s funding comes from federal sources.
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DISASTERSPerfect Storm: Megafires Set the Stage for Debris Flows
By Jules Bernstein
Storms now pounding Southern California are raising the specter of more danger for residents — debris flows in areas already reeling from devastating fires. Flows pose bigger threat than typical mudslides.
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WILDFIRES5 Israeli Innovations for Fighting Wildfires
By Zachy Hennessey
As regions from California to the Mediterranean face wildfire threats, these innovations can help win the battle against out-of-control flames.
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TRUTH DECAYIn Times of Crisis, States Have Few Tools to Fight Misinformation
By Matt Vasilogambros
While officials in Southern California fought fire and falsehoods, Meta —the parent company of Facebook and Instagram —announced it would eliminate its fact-checking program in the name of free expression. As social media companies are pushing back against efforts to crack down on falsehoods, questions are asked about what, if anything, state governments can do to stop the spread of harmful lies and rumors that proliferate on social media.
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