New report: Physical operations are unprepared for natural disasters

Natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and other crises are accelerating worldwide, causing billions in losses and putting frontline workers at risk. Today, Samsara released its newest State of Connected Operations Report—Plan, Act, Recover: Disaster Preparedness in Physical Operations—which reveals a concerning truth: most organisations are gravely underprepared.

The report highlights insights from a survey of 1,550 emergency management professionals in physical operations, including 300 from the UK and Ireland (UK&I) covering their concerns, priorities, and plans in the face of escalating physical threats. These findings are critical as leaders in industries like construction, logistics, utilities, passenger transit and more are expected to be ready to face challenges and continue providing essential goods and services to customers and citizens. Key insights include: 

• UK&I leaders acknowledge broad preparedness gaps: 86% say they need to be more prepared for natural disasters.

• Planning pays off: Following a disaster, 91% of organisations that actively plan for emergency events are able to return to normal operations within 3 days.

• Leaders see AI and other technologies as key to improving response: 95% believe AI will fundamentally reshape disaster response within the next five years.

Read on to discover top insights from the report from the UK and Ireland (UK&I), or download the full report to learn how leaders are turning to tools and technology to fortify their crisis response. 

Severe preparedness gaps are leaving organisations exposed

The vast majority of organisations are not ready for the increasing threat of natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and other crises. 

• Inadequate preparedness: A staggering 71% of leaders don’t feel adequately prepared, and only 28% feel ready to handle a major crisis. Overall, 86% of organisations acknowledge they need more preparation.

• Lack of proactive planning: Despite the clear danger, just 12% of organisations in the UK&I are actively planning for major crises in disaster-prone areas. This is in comparison to 1% in Canada, 3% in Mexico, and 10% in France.

Lack of visibility drives massive financial losses and safety risks

When a crisis hits, not knowing where critical assets are or having real-time data leads to significant vulnerabilities.

• Major financial losses in the UK&I: 94% of organisations in the region have experienced financial losses during crises from being unable to locate critical assets. Of these, 66% described those losses as moderate to severe.

• No real-time data: 62% report inconsistent or no access to real-time data on key resources during emergencies. 

• Frontline worker vulnerability: 84% worry their current technology does not adequately protect frontline workers during emergencies, and 86% are concerned about maintaining communications connectivity if infrastructure is compromised.

Leaders see AI and other technologies as key to improving response

Technology, especially AI, holds immense promise for improving disaster response, yet the workforce isn't fully ready.

• High hopes for AI: 95% of leaders in the UK&I believe AI will fundamentally reshape disaster response within the next five years—the highest confidence across all regions surveyed. Leaders specifically want AI to improve emergency planning, scenario modeling, early warnings, alerts, and real-time decision support.

• Workforce training gap: Despite the belief in technology, 85% say their frontline teams are not adequately trained to use digital tools during a crisis.

• Evolving training needs: 84% of leaders in the UK&I acknowledge that the rising frequency of disasters is reshaping the type of training their workforce needs, especially around data and technology.

Organisations that actively plan show measurable resilience

The good news? Preparedness makes a tangible difference in recovery and minimising losses.

• Rapid recovery: 91% of organisations with emergency plans are able to return to normal operations within three days of a major event. This suggests that preparedness directly accelerates recovery and minimises losses.

As Jerome Paul Gibson, Managing Director at Medical Ambulance LTD, which relies on Samsara to respond to medical emergencies stated: “By adopting Samsara AI, we’re elevating ambulance safety to world-class standards. The control room gains 360 live streaming for on-scene support, and hospitals get live tracking and ETAs to help them manage resources ahead of time. From our behind-the-scenes team to the client hospitals and facilities to the teams on the ground, Samsara connects us through safety and technology.”

Are you ready for tomorrow’s challenges? 

The latest Samsara State of Connected Operations Report makes it clear: the time for action is now. 

In an era of increasing disaster frequency, organisations need to adapt. Samsara provides the critical fleet management technology for faster, safer disaster response, helping organizations maintain visibility, communicate instantly, and protect their teams when it matters most. Our solutions are built for resilience and trusted by first responders and frontline teams.

To learn more about the urgent preparedness gap and gain deeper insights into how organisations can build resilience, download the full report today.