Full article by Soraya Sutherlin, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness.
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.
Learn about the importance of coordinated communications among jurisdictions during emergencies.
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Soraya Sutherlin
Soraya Sutherlin, MPA, CEM®, is the emergency manager and chief executive officer of Emergency Management Safety Partners, LLC. She brings over 20 years of experience in emergency management and crisis communications. She leads a regional alert and warning program in Southern California, overseeing emergency alerts for 14 public safety agencies. Additionally, as the disaster management area coordinator for Los Angeles County’s Area C, she coordinates planning and response efforts for various emergencies. She is now the public information officer for the United States Secret Service’s Los Angeles Field Office, where she manages safety and security planning for national events, including preparations for the 2028 Olympics. Soraya is a certified emergency manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers and holds both a bachelor’s and master’s in public administration from California State University, Long Beach. She is also the author of A Kids Book About Safety, which encourages children and parents to discuss preparedness within their communities.
