POLICE to Hold Panel Discussion Webinar on Natural Disaster Response
The webinar will cover a wide variety of disaster response topics, including having a plan in place in advance of any natural disaster, keeping both public and first responders safe during and after, command and control, search and rescue, evacuations, preventing looting and crime, and managing return following an evacuation.
When natural disasters strike, local police and first responders must be ready to respond.
PHOTO: National FOP DART
POLICE Magazine is presenting a special natural disaster response webinar on Thursday Dec. 15. Sponsored by Axon, the webinar titled “Best Practices for Natural Disaster Response” will feature a panel of emergency management officials discussing critical advance planning and response when a natural disaster strikes.
The panel includes:
Col. Neil Baxley serves as commander of the Emergency Management Division at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (SC). He is responsible for Beaufort County’s 9-1-1 phone system, Central Communications Dispatch, Hazardous Material Program and Traffic Management Center. He is also the Aviation Unit Commander for the Sheriff’s Office. He joined the sheriff’s office in 1983 and served in many roles before being appointed commander of the Emergency Management Division in 2013.
Tracy Warner is Director of Emergency Management for Graves County (KY) and was named Director of the Year by the Kentucky Emergency Management Association in September. She is the first full time emergency management director in Graves County. In addition to her duties as emergency management director, Warner is an EMT-B, certified firefighter, a member of the rescue squad, and president of the Graves County Volunteer Fire Association. Her county, home to the town of Mayfield, was struck by an EF-4 tornado in December 2021.
Jim Whitfield is a retired Mississippi State Department of Health emergency response coordinator and the current Sunflower County, MS, deputy fire coordinator. He is certified as a hazardous material technician, a radiation hazmat specialist, and is also a nationally registered EMT. He teaches the Hazardous Materials for Law Enforcement course at a state police academy in Morehead, MS.
The webinar will cover a wide variety of disaster response topics, including having a plan in place in advance of any natural disaster, keeping both public and first responders safe during and after, command and control, search and rescue, evacuations, preventing looting and crime, and managing return following an evacuation.
“Best Practices for Natural Disaster Response” will be held Thursday Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific.
To register, go to this link.
More Patrol
Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →
NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE
Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.
Read More →
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →