How can emergency alerts truly reach everyone, especially people with disabilities and access/ functional needs?

In this powerful episode, we welcome Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Vance shares his personal journey, leadership philosophy, and groundbreaking work to transform inclusive emergency management across California and the nation.

We explore:

• Why timing matters more than perfectly worded alerts
• The dangers of disaster registries — and what works better
• Enhanced alerting systems and early notification models
• Lessons from Winter Storm Uri and disability-focused disaster research
• How alerting authorities can improve messaging today
• Planning with communities, not for them

Vance also discusses cultural change in emergency management, accessible technology innovation, and the responsibility of alerting authorities to reduce human suffering and loss of life.

Whether you're an emergency manager, alerting authority, public safety leader, researcher, or disability advocate, this episode delivers actionable insights on whole community disaster preparedness.

This episode is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems: supporting data-driven solutions.