Public Safety

AI, sensors enhance wildfire detection

A pilot program in Oregon’s Willamette Valley will test how well artificial intelligence-enabled sensors can identify and characterize wildfires, which will help with responder resource allocation and boost community resilience.

Earthquake in Turkey exposes gap between seismic knowledge and action – but it is possible to prepare

Government leaders should leverage seismic data, communications technology and interagency collaboration to better respond to natural disasters.

What responders really want from their tech

Communications technology is going to sit on the shelf if it’s not reliable, interoperable and user friendly.

How video evidence is presented in court can hold sway in cases like the beating death of Tyre Nichols

Video surveillance footage may help courts better judge past events, but viewers can still be influenced by their own biases and even the way video is presented, an expert says.

Locking down Super Bowl security

Federal, state and local government partners are providing air and infrastructure security, cybersecurity, threat assessments and real-time situational awareness.

Report: 6 keys for successful government crisis contact centers

When natural disasters or emergencies arise, agencies must be able to respond effectively to public inquiry, and technology is key.

Police tech requires better trained officers, more cybersecurity

State governments should also build in more oversight around data collection and privacy, according to researchers at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

Addressing the public safety resource crisis

By investing in assistive AI technology, facilitating collaboration and experimenting with new programs, agencies can begin addressing the multilayered challenges facing responders.

How the FCC shields cellphone companies from safety concerns

When a small Massachusetts town complained about the negative effects of cell phone towers on residents' health, it faced fierce opposition -- not just from industry, but from the Federal Communications Commission.

Local election officials brace for possible violence and threats

With worries over armed poll “monitors,” voter intimidation and risks to staff, some are coordinating with law enforcement or conducting special training ahead of Election Day.

After Uvalde, states look to new digital maps to keep schools safe

States such as Virginia are stepping up efforts to provide emergency responders with up-to-date digital maps of their school buildings for improved crisis prevention.

Digital floor plans of schools can speed emergency response

Providing first responders with a digitized map of school buildings may result in quicker response times and less confusion during crises.

States take new steps to stop election mistruths from going viral

To combat the rising misinformation threat, some states are bringing on cybersecurity specialists to comb social media and flag posts that spread falsehoods about the voting process.

How one fire department’s ‘crawl, walk, run’ mantra guides its drone use

Phoenix is slowly growing its drone program, which currently supports incident commanders managing fire-fighting resources.

State integrates 911 communications, data to improve emergency response

California is combining the data and notification capabilities of Rave Mobile Safety and RapidDeploy, allowing agencies to publish real-time incident data from their computer-aided dispatch systems to responders.

Experts: Today’s public health crises are just the beginning

With new and re-emerging diseases on the rise, enhanced innovation and technology to detect, track and monitor public health is essential, two experts say.

Audit reveals why city’s efforts to curb homelessness fall short

Oakland, California, doesn’t have the data to tell if it’s making any progress on reducing homelessness, a new audit shows.

San Francisco police to tap private surveillance cameras

A new rule allows the police to request access to footage from non-city-owned cameras for investigations and to monitor events with public safety concerns.