Join Rob Lawrence on EMS One-Stop as he welcomes Sunny Wescott, chief meteorologist at the Department of Homeland Security, for an eye-opening discussion about the impact of extreme weather on emergency services and critical infrastructure.
Sunny shares her expertise on meteorological trends, the challenges of preparing for severe weather events, and the evolving role of EMS in managing climate-induced emergencies. From hurricanes and polar vortices, to the implications of electric vehicle adoption during extreme weather, this episode is packed with actionable insights for public safety leaders and EMS professionals.
Rob and Sunny explore the complex interplay between extreme weather and emergency response, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and reliable information sources. Sunny delves into the science behind weather phenomena like atmospheric rivers, Rex blocks and heatwaves, connecting them to real-world challenges faced by first responders.
During this edition of EMS One-Stop discover the tools, resources and strategies Sunny recommends for staying ahead of severe weather impacts on both infrastructure and personnel, and gain practical advice for improving communication with the public during weather crises, ensuring safety and minimizing risk.
Key quotes from this episode
- 鈥淭he uneven heating of our planet is amplifying weather events, making them stronger and more unpredictable.鈥� 鈥� Sunny Wescott
- 鈥淭he weather affects everything 鈥� and for EMS leaders, preparation isn鈥檛 optional, it鈥檚 essential.鈥� 鈥� Rob Lawrence
- 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing infrastructure pushed to its breaking point by weather extremes 鈥� things we couldn鈥檛 anticipate when they were built.鈥� 鈥� Sunny Wescott
- 鈥淪ometimes, the hardest command decision is telling your crews, 鈥榃e鈥檙e hunkering down now.鈥� It鈥檚 the right call, but it鈥檚 never an easy one.鈥� 鈥� Rob Lawrence
- 鈥淵our life means so much more than the possessions inside your home. Evacuate early 鈥� it鈥檚 always the safest choice.鈥� 鈥� Sunny Wescott
- 鈥淟et鈥檚 face it: weather is as much a part of public safety planning as personnel and resources.鈥� 鈥� Rob Lawrence
- 鈥淲eather preparedness isn鈥檛 just about forecasts; it鈥檚 about collaboration, data sharing and breaking down silos across sectors.鈥� 鈥� Sunny Wescott
Timeline
00:24 鈥� Rob鈥檚 introduction and reflections on weather in the UK and US
01:22 鈥� Sunny explains global weather patterns and their cascading impacts
03:32 鈥� Sunny describes her role at DHS and how critical infrastructure is assessed against weather risks
11:13 鈥� Hurricane trends, preparedness and landfall impacts for 2025
20:00 鈥� EMS-specific challenges during extreme heat and cold, including effects on equipment and personnel
24:04 鈥� How to interpret long-term weather forecasts and model reliability
30:06 鈥� Operational decisions during extreme weather events, like grounding helicopters and using resources wisely
36:06 鈥� Final thoughts on misinformation, insurance concerns, and public safety resilience
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Insert internal promo: On-demand webinar: EMS in a changing climate: Understanding the impact of extreme weather
