Effective, timely, and unified communication across jurisdictions is essential for saving lives. The 2015 ExxonMobil refinery explosion highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, cross-jurisdictional alerting. Emergency managers, public safety officials, and policymakers must come together to prioritize a fully integrated alerting system. It is no longer a luxury but a life-and-death necessity.
Most available data do not support the misconception that large-scale events lead to increased human trafficking. Rather, available evidence underscores a harsh truth: Human trafficking is a pervasive problem every day, not just when large events come to town.
After the conclusion of a large-scale event, the planning for its next iteration starts again. If the public doesn’t notice emergency management’s moving parts during an event, it’s a success.