2027 Agenda

When disaster strikes, communications problems rarely arrive one at a time. Coverage gaps, damaged or overwhelmed infrastructure, incompatible systems, unfamiliar resources, and responders arriving from multiple jurisdictions can quickly challenge even well-prepared agencies. Yet specialized communications personnel and resources may already be available. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing who to call—and making the request.

During the catastrophic July 2025 flooding along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, Texas, a Communications Unit (COMU) was requested to support a rapidly expanding multi-agency response. This panel uses that response as a real-world case study to examine how trained communications personnel, statewide coordination, deployable resources, and existing interoperability capabilities can be brought together to solve communications problems in an austere and rapidly changing environment.

The discussion will expand beyond Texas with perspectives from Florida communications professionals experienced in supporting disaster response, providing an opportunity to compare approaches, challenges, resource coordination, and lessons learned across different disaster environments.

Panelists will examine what happened in Kerrville, how communications resources were identified and deployed, and how agencies can better prepare before the next incident. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the COMU, the capabilities that COML, COMT, and other communications specialists bring to an incident, and practical steps for identifying resources, building relationships, and incorporating communications support into emergency plans and exercises.

The technology, resources, and expertise may already exist. The first step is knowing to ask for them.