In 2023, Fresno County encountered two historic and unique emergencies. The first consisted of an onslaught of atmospheric storms, causing flooding, damage, and safety hazards to roads and homes. To protect County residents, the County's communication team worked in the Emergency Operations Center and forged strong partnerships with cities, neighboring counties, numerous agencies, as well as local and national leaders to share important updates and PSAs. The consistent communication and partnerships resulted in minimal loss of life and property. During the winter storm emergency, the County was notified by one of its cities that it had uncovered an unlicensed, illegal lab. The year-long investigation and abatement uncovered illegal COVID-19 tests, 1000 mice, some infected with COVID-19, hazardous chemicals, and infectious diseases like malaria, herpes, HIV, COVID-19, and a host of others. The County learned the lab was under the direction of a Chinese national with ties to the People's Republic of China. To complicate matters, once the County conducted interviews and the media wrote stories about the lab, local elected officials shared incorrect information, resulting in public distrust, an attack on the County and its public health department, and international attention. This session will provide a side-by-side comparison of two unique events, one of which was considered successful, while the other was rife with challenges, conflicts, and many lessons learned. The contrast between these two emergencies will reveal the fallacies behind a one size fits all approach to crisis communications and the challenges of working with state and federal agencies with different communication objectives and philosophies.