Ten years from now, the worlds of public safety and emergency management will look like what’s on TV today.

Adam Stone | March 2, 2016

The next-generation fire suit could have a multitude of technological features.

Manuel Navarro has a relatively simple request. He would just like to know: Where is everybody?

The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency will host a screening of the disaster thriller 'The Wave' in Vancouver. It’s the first of what agency Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Frank hopes will be a recurring disaster movie night.

Andy Matarrese, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. | February 26, 2016

For decades, Northern Virginia has been among the leading regions to start, grow or relocate a business, not just in the United States, but also worldwide. Our region has a number of assets that make it unique. Our leaders at the local and state levels support a positive business climate, our public schools are among the best in the nation and our local colleges and universities support the development of a highly educated and skilled workforce.

Intense thunderstorms raged through Northern Virginia late Wednesday evening, bringing heavy rain, high winds, hail and tornadoes warnings from Spotsylvania to Prince William counties.

There were no reports of tornadoes touching down, but the National Weather Service said a funnel cloud was spotted moving from Fredericksburg into Stafford.

In September 2008 a Metrolink commuter train collided head-on with a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, Calif., killing 25 people and injuring more than 100. On Dec. 1, 2013, a Metro-North commuter train derailed in the Bronx, killing four and injuring dozens of others. The train’s engineer had fallen asleep and failed to slow the train from over 82 mph to the maximum authorized 30 mph as it entered a curve.

Strong forces are at work to make emergency alerts more mobile and precisely targeted. Long gone are days when a siren blasting a loud horn near and far was sufficient to spur people to action. Now, people want information that’s precise, pertains specifically to them and is available wherever they are regardless of what they’re doing. Plus, studies show that people generally won’t take protective action unless they get an alert from at least two sources.

Prince William County police Chief Steve Hudson will retire April 1 after 34 years of service, according to a county press release.

Hudson announced his retirement Tuesday. Hudson was promoted to head the department in 2013 after serving 30 years as a patrol officer, a plain-clothes detective, sergeant and first sergeant. During his career, he also served as a SWAT team leader and academy instructor.

Hudson was the county’s third police chief.

St. Paul also offers SnowAlerts via e-mail and text messages in four languages.

Tim Harlow, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) | February 4, 2016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker noted an increased need for improved communication with private-sector companies, something spurred further by the ever-growing number of devices connecting to the Internet of Things.

Eyragon Eidam | February 9, 2016