How Connected Technology Can Prepare Your Agency for the Next Disaster

Major natural disasters are no longer once-in-a-lifetime events. Between 2000 and 2019, there were more than 7,000 major natural disaster events around the world, a 74% increase compared to the previous 20-year period. Not only that, but in the first half of 2025 alone, the U.S. accounted for the largest share of natural disasters worldwide, totaling around $19 billion in losses.

Despite the growing threat, the majority of public sector agencies in the U.S. are not prepared. In fact, a new report from Samsara found that 86% of agencies in high-risk or disaster-prone areas are not actively planning for major crises, and 68% of leaders say they need to be more prepared for climate-related disasters. .

A Lack of Updated Technology Hurts Effective Disaster Response

One root cause of this lack of preparedness is outdated technology. Without solutions that deliver accurate, real-time data, agencies can lose critical operational visibility. This leads to gaps in communication, delayed response times, and misallocated resources.

Lack of visibility is a widespread issue for public agencies. The Samsara report found 84% of public sector leaders report inconsistent, seldom, or no access to real-time data on key resources during a crisis. Many indicated they struggle to gain real-time visibility into the status and location of all mission-critical equipment—such as generators, trailers, and specialized vehicles—during a primary response phase. This lack of a unified operational picture can cause teams to waste more time searching for equipment, increase downtime, and, most critically, create a slower recovery for the public.

3 Ways Connected Technology Improves Disaster Response

For public sector leaders responsible for budgets and public trust, this inefficiency translates directly into higher costs and diminished service. The key to closing the visibility gap and providing effective disaster response is an infrastructure built for resilience on a foundation of Connected Operations technology.

When technology—such as advanced GPS, dash cameras, and AI event detections—is connected through a cloud-based platform, it provides the real-time intelligence needed to act decisively before, during, and after an event. Here are three ways Connected Operations can enhance communication, situational awareness, and planning:

Proactive equipment maintenance. True readiness begins long before the storm hits. Connected Operations technology offers remote diagnostics and maintenance insights, allowing managers to confirm critical assets—like snow plows, water pumps, or backup generators—are operational and fully charged or fueled. This proactive maintenance dramatically reduces the chance of equipment failure when it is needed most, transforming potential downtime into guaranteed uptime.

Real-time resource allocation. According to Samsara’s report, 98% of public sector leaders say their inability to locate critical assets during a crisis has resulted in financial losses. Real-time GPS and equipment tracking instantly shows managers the exact location of every vehicle and piece of heavy equipment. This capability allows leaders to dynamically reroute resources away from impassable areas, quickly deploy the closest team to an emergency site, and provide accurate arrival times to incident command centers. When an event happens, knowing where equipment is can not only save money, but something much more precious: people’s lives.

Protection for frontline workers. Even after the immediate threat subsides, the recovery phase remains hazardous. AI-powered dash cameras can help protect frontline workers by providing contextual video evidence and real-time alerts about risky driving in challenging conditions. Moreover, service and usage logs that are automatically generated by fleet telematics helps ensure accurate documentation and cost tracking necessary for securing federal and state disaster funding.

A Mandate for Modern Leadership

Agencies that actively plan for emergency events are significantly better prepared for the aftermath, with 91% able to return to normal operations within three days of a disaster.

Insights like these from Samsara’s Disaster Preparedness in the U.S. Public Sector report send a clear message to public sector leaders: investing in modern, connected infrastructure is an investment in community safety and fiscal responsibility. Agencies can quickly make the move from reactive planning to inherent resilience with a unified platform that connects fleet, equipment, and sites.

Download the full report for a deeper dive into peer insights and strategic recommendations to prepare your agency for the future.

Author: Samsara public sector team

Samsara is the pioneer of the Connected Operations Platform, which enables public sector organizations to manage physical operations, improve efficiency, and enhance safety across fleets, equipment, and sites. Samsara’s suite of AI-powered solutions helps government agencies improve road safety, enhance driver retention, and simplify regulatory compliance

Samsara
www.samsara.com
1 De Haro St. San Francisco, CA 94107 United States