Emergency Preparedness and Response

Wisconsin DNR Suspends Burn Permits in 31 Counties Amid Critical Fire Danger

Between 14 and 16 May 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources suspended all DNR-issued burn permits in 31 counties and warned of Critical fire danger, including a Red Flag Warning on 15 May. Permit holders and site managers in affected areas must halt debris and broadcast burning, monitor county-level restrictions closely, and adjust outdoor operations and fieldwork plans until conditions ease.

15 May 2026, 16:12apps.dnr.wi.govUnited States

US Department of Labor Seeks Comment on Mine Rescue Team Emergency Preparedness Information Collection

The US Department of Labor has submitted an MSHA information collection on mine rescue team emergency preparedness records for OMB review and is seeking public comment by 15 June 2026. The renewal keeps underground mine operators’ existing training, equipment-check, and emergency medical arrangement recordkeeping obligations in force, signalling continued scrutiny of mine rescue readiness rather than new substantive safety requirements.

15 May 2026, 14:43federalregister.govUnited States

Louisiana Enrolls HB1033 To Expand "Critical Infrastructure" Definition

Louisiana has enrolled HB1033 and sent it to the Governor, proposing to broaden the state’s “critical infrastructure” definition in criminal and infrastructure statutes to cover additional facilities and networks. If signed, more energy, transport, water, communications, government and military sites in Louisiana will qualify for heightened legal protection, raising security expectations and risk management duties for operators.

15 May 2026, 09:40legis.la.govUnited States

Tyrol Lifts District Wildfire Ban Ordinances As Risk Decreases

Tyrol has lifted district-level wildfire ban ordinances introduced in late April after recent and forecast rainfall significantly reduced regional wildfire risk. This removes temporary restrictions on open fires in forests and adjacent areas across Tyrol, but operators and landowners should expect similar emergency bans in future dry periods and continue to manage wildfire risk in their activities.

15 May 2026, 09:30tirol.gv.atAustria

Oregon Governor Declares Drought Emergency in Coos, Klamath and Wheeler Counties (Executive Order 26-08)

In May 2026, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 26-08 declaring a drought emergency in Coos, Klamath, and Wheeler counties and activating state drought-assistance powers through 31 December 2026. For water-dependent operations in these areas, the order does not itself impose new restrictions but enables faster engagement with state agencies and signals elevated drought and wildfire risk that may drive future water-management actions.

14 May 2026, 18:51drive.google.comUnited States

EFSA Publishes Evidence Mapping of Risk Mitigation Measures for Animal Vector‑Borne Diseases in the EU

EFSA has published a major evidence mapping (May 2026) on the effectiveness of surveillance, vaccination, movement controls and other risk mitigation measures for 25 vector-borne animal diseases in the EU. The findings reinforce surveillance and vaccination as core tools under the Animal Health Law and highlight knowledge gaps that will steer future disease-control strategy, vector-control use and research investment rather than changing legal obligations immediately.

14 May 2026, 18:48efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

France CESE Recommends Reforms to Health-Crisis Preparedness and Medical Supply Security

In April 2026 France’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council issued a major opinion urging reforms to health-crisis governance, research funding, data access, and especially strategic autonomy and supply security for medicines, medical devices, and protective equipment. If translated into legislation and procurement rules, these recommendations would tighten expectations on industry around resilient supply, EU-based production, and data-enabled preparedness, shaping future market conditions for healthcare and life-science companies.

14 May 2026, 18:37vie-publique.frFrance

European Commission Sets Out Strategy to Reinforce Global Health Resilience Amid Geopolitical Change

In May 2026 the European Commission issued a non-binding global health resilience strategy (COM(2026)197), setting out five priority areas and nine flagship initiatives to strengthen health systems, preparedness and governance in a more geopolitical world. For life-science, healthcare and pharmaceutical stakeholders this signals sustained EU focus on pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, diversified supply chains and support for manufacturing and clinical research in partner countries, shaping future funding priorities and potential regulatory reforms rather than creating immediate new obligations.

14 May 2026, 18:36international-partnerships.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Norway Havtil Identifies Helideck Safety Nonconformities at Aker BP Hugin B

Norway’s offshore safety regulator Havindustritilsynet has published an inspection report finding three helideck safety nonconformities on Aker BP’s Hugin B platform and requiring the operator to respond by 29 May 2026. The findings tighten scrutiny of helideck design, obstacle marking and emergency equipment controls across Norwegian offshore installations, and operators should recheck compliance with Innretningsforskriften and offshore helicopter deck rules.

14 May 2026, 05:56havtil.noNorway

New Zealand Finalises Fuel Response Plan 2026 And Secures Strategic Diesel Reserve

New Zealand has updated its National Fuel Response Plan 2026 and finalised a deal to store an extra 90 million litres of diesel at Marsden Point as a strategic reserve in case global fuel shortages worsen. While current measures remain advisory, fuel‑intensive organisations – especially critical services, freight and other commercial users – should prepare for potential mandatory fuel‑saving plans, targeted checks and prioritised fuel access rules if the plan ever escalates to Phase 4.

13 May 2026, 19:03mbie.govt.nzNew Zealand

Manitoba Fire Bulletin #1 Details 2026 Wildfire Preparedness and Burn Restrictions

Manitoba has issued Fire Bulletin #1 and a 2025 Wildfire Interim After Action Review setting out investments, staffing increases, and operational changes to strengthen provincial readiness for the 2026 wildfire season. For operators and communities in Manitoba this means tighter enforcement of existing open-fire restrictions, more coordinated evacuation and emergency management capacity, and a clearer framework for planning around increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

12 May 2026, 14:28news.gov.mb.caCanada

Washington DOH Proposes Rule Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Enrol in EMR/EMT Training (WSR 26-08-081)

Washington’s Department of Health has proposed rule changes to EMS training regulations so that 16-year-olds can enrol in EMR/EMT courses delivered through approved school-based training providers, with filing in March 2026 and hearing/comment dates in early May. If adopted, EMS education programmes and secondary vocational providers in Washington will need to update admission policies and course structures to accommodate younger students while maintaining continuous EMS medical education through high school.

12 May 2026, 12:58doh.wa.govUnited States

Estonia Adopts Amendments to Essential Liquid Fuel Service Continuity Requirements

In May 2026 Estonia adopted amendments tightening the continuity requirements for essential liquid-fuel supply, imposing new definitions, risk management duties, and backup power obligations on fuel sellers and large tax warehouse operators. These staged obligations between May 2026 and April 2027 will require critical fuel infrastructure providers to invest in autonomous power capability and emergency planning to maintain fuel availability during crises and grid disruptions.

12 May 2026, 12:56riigiteataja.eeEstonia

China MEM and State Council Safety Office Deploy May Day Holiday Work Safety Inspections

China’s State Council Work Safety Office and the Ministry of Emergency Management have launched intensified safety inspections and risk controls around the May Day 2026 holiday, focusing on hazardous chemical major-hazard sources, mines, fireworks, confined spaces, public venues, road traffic, flooding, and forest and grassland fires. For industrial operators this signals heightened short-term enforcement and on-site inspection risk, requiring visible rectification of safety hazards, strict control of high-risk operations, and readiness for emergency response checks and public scrutiny.

12 May 2026, 12:51mem.gov.cnChina

California Senate Passes SB 1263 On Debris-Removal Contractor Licensing

In April 2026 the California Senate passed SB 1263, a bill that would tighten licensing and hazardous-substance training requirements for contractors performing debris removal in declared disaster areas. If enacted, this measure will narrow eligibility for post-disaster clean-up contracts and require affected contractors to ensure appropriate licensing, hazardous certification, and HAZWOPER compliance before future emergencies.

12 May 2026, 12:49leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

US Coast Guard Establishes Temporary Safety Zone on Bancroft Canal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana

In May 2026, the US Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port Port Arthur established a temporary safety zone on the Bancroft Canal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, to protect workers, vessels, and the environment during oil-spill response operations. The restriction, enforced daily through 1 June 2026, limits vessel access in the affected canal segment and signals short-term navigation and operational constraints for nearby marine and oil-handling activities.

11 May 2026, 11:38federalregister.govUnited States

Alaska Enrolled SB192 Would Standardise Evacuation Designation Levels

Alaska has passed and sent to the governor SB192, which would standardise three colour‑coded evacuation levels statewide and require emergency plans, including those for hazardous‑substance facilities, to use them. If signed, operators of facilities covered by federal EPCRA planning rules in Alaska will need to update local emergency plans, communications and drills to align with the new Level 1–3 evacuation designations.

11 May 2026, 11:16akleg.govUnited States

Luxembourg Adopts Law on Resilience of Critical Entities, Amending 2016 National Protection Law

In May 2026 Luxembourg adopted a new Law on the Resilience of Critical Entities, updating its 2016 framework for the High Commissioner for National Protection and formalising a national resilience regime. This signals tighter oversight of how essential services designated as critical entities prepare for and manage disruptions, meaning affected operators in Luxembourg will need to review governance and contingency arrangements under the new framework.

10 May 2026, 19:32data.legilux.public.luLuxembourg

Estonia Adopts Shelter Requirements for Certain Buildings

Estonia has adopted a government regulation defining which buildings must provide shelters and setting requirements for shelters and shelter plans, effective from 1 July 2026. Owners and operators of affected buildings will need to review their facilities and emergency planning so that shelters and shelter documentation comply once the regulation takes effect.

9 May 2026, 19:05riigiteataja.eeEstonia

European Parliament Public Health Committee Endorses EU–Switzerland Health and Mutual Recognition Package

In May 2026 the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee endorsed the draft EU–Switzerland agreements on health security and mutual recognition of medical products, recommending consent for an Agreement on Health and a protocol updating conformity-assessment arrangements. If finalised, the package will integrate Switzerland into EU early-warning, joint-procurement and ECDC structures and streamline mutual recognition for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, reducing duplicative oversight while preserving EU control over core legislation.

9 May 2026, 19:03europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionSwitzerland