Emergency Communications Report 2026: Leadership, Training & Tech for Resilience

Organizations are increasingly focused on bolstering their ability to communicate effectively during emergencies, according to a new report from The Business Continuity Institute (BCI), in association with Everbridge. The Emergency Communications Report 2026 highlights the critical role of senior leadership, the prevalence of formal communication plans and ongoing challenges related to human factors in crisis response. The findings underscore a growing recognition that robust emergency communications aren’t simply a matter of technology, but a core component of organizational resilience in a volatile risk landscape.

Leadership’s Central Role

The report confirms that senior leadership is typically tasked with leading emergency communications, both internally to employees and externally to stakeholders. This responsibility extends to addressing uncertainty and providing clear direction during disruptive events. This emphasis on top-down communication reflects a broader trend of accountability extending to the highest levels of organizations when it comes to managing risk and maintaining operational continuity.

Crucially, the vast majority – nearly 90% – of organizations now have a formal emergency communications plan in place. Over 75% of these organizations can activate these plans within 30 minutes. This rapid deployment capability is vital in the initial stages of a crisis, when information is often limited and public scrutiny is high. The speed of activation is a significant improvement, reflecting lessons learned from past events and a growing understanding of the importance of timely response.

Coordination and the Tools of the Trade

Beyond simply having a plan, organizations are focusing on coordinated execution. Crisis management teams are typically engaged through widely adopted communication tools. Email remains a staple, but enterprise messenger apps and text messaging are also heavily utilized, offering speed, familiarity, and collaborative capabilities. This preference for readily available tools suggests a pragmatic approach, prioritizing accessibility and ease of employ over complex or specialized systems.

The BCI report also emphasizes the importance of regular training, and exercises. Most organizations conduct structured programs at least annually, involving staff at all levels. This commitment to rehearsal and capability-building translates into tangible results: over 70% of organizations report consistently achieving their expected response levels over the past twelve months. This suggests that investment in training yields a demonstrable return in terms of improved crisis preparedness and response effectiveness.

Persistent Challenges: The Human Element

Despite these advancements, the report identifies several persistent challenges that can undermine even the most well-prepared organizations. A significant concern is a lack of response from staff or recipients (reported by 60.7% of organizations), coupled with inaccurate staff contact information (42.2%) and employees having switched-off devices (39.9%). These issues highlight the inherent difficulties in reaching all relevant parties during a crisis, emphasizing the need for redundant communication channels and proactive contact list maintenance. The BCI offers resources to help organizations address these challenges.

Real-World Testing and Common Triggers

Preparedness wasn’t merely theoretical in 2025; a substantial 72.4% of organizations activated their emergency communications plan at least once in the last year. The most common triggers for activation were adverse weather events, IT or telecommunications outages, and cybersecurity incidents. The prevalence of these triggers underscores the diverse range of threats organizations face and the need for a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to emergency communications. Cybersecurity incidents, in particular, are becoming increasingly frequent and sophisticated, demanding a heightened level of vigilance and preparedness.

Regulatory Influence and the Path Forward

The regulatory landscape is also playing a growing role in shaping emergency communications practices. Nearly half (48.9%) of organizations have adapted their plans and procedures in response to new regulatory requirements. This trend suggests that compliance is becoming a significant driver of investment in stronger governance, clearer plans, and more robust communication capabilities. Maria Florencia Lombardero Garcia, Thought Leadership Manager at the BCI, notes that this “regulatory momentum is helping to embed more consistent good practice across industries.”

Steven Fanale, Chief Revenue Officer at Everbridge, adds that “effective emergency communication is a core leadership responsibility.” He points to the increasing exploration of technologies like artificial intelligence to support faster decision-making, whereas emphasizing the continued importance of engagement, accurate information, and regular testing and training. Building Resilient Communications is becoming a key focus for organizations.

The ability to demonstrate readiness, Fanale argues, will be a defining characteristic of resilient organizations and a source of competitive advantage. The BCI Emergency Communications Report 2026 is available for download, offering a detailed analysis of current practices and emerging trends in this critical area of business continuity. The EMEA launch of the report further highlights the growing international focus on emergency communications preparedness.

Looking Ahead: Organizations should prioritize regular updates to contact information, explore redundant communication channels, and invest in ongoing training and exercises to ensure their emergency communications plans remain effective. The increasing regulatory scrutiny and the evolving threat landscape demand a proactive and continuous improvement approach to building resilient communications capabilities.