Description
Communications are key to the success of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Accurate information disseminated to the general public, to elected officials and community leaders, as well as to the media, reduces risk, saves lives and property, and speeds recovery. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World, Second Edition, provides valuable information for navigating these priorities in the age of evolving media. The emergence of new media like the Internet, email, blogs, text messaging, cell phone photos, and the increasing influence of first informers are redefining the roles of government and media.
The tools and rules of communications are evolving, and disaster communications must also evolve to accommodate these changes and exploit the opportunities they provide. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World, Second Edition, illuminates the path to effective disaster communication, including the need for transparency, increased accessibility, trustworthiness and reliability, and partnerships with the media.
- Includes case studies from recent disasters including Hurricane Sandy, the 2011 tsunami in Japan, and the Boston Marathon bombings
- Demonstrates how to use blogs, text messages, and cell phone cameras, as well as government channels and traditional media, to communicate during a crisis
- Examines current social media programs conducted by FEMA, the American Red Cross, state and local eme
Chapter
The Butterworth-Heinemann Homeland Security Series
Other Titles in the Series
Other Related Titles of Interest
One: Communications: The Critical Function
Inclusion of Communications in Planning and Operations
Two: The Changing Media World
Social Media, News, and Disasters
Video and Photo Sharing Sites
Social Media and Disasters
Three: The “New” News Room
The Evolution of the Newsroom
Changing Roles and Responsibilities
Social Media in the Newsroom
Gather News by Taking Advantage of New Sources and New Collaborations
Connect with Readers and Viewers in New and Deeper Ways
Distribute News and Drive Traffic
Create New Ways to Tell Stories
Create, Craft, and Enhance the Brand of the Organization and Individual Reporters
Social Media as One Part of a Comprehensive Disaster Communications Program
Four: Disaster Coverage Past and Present
How did This evolution Occur?
New Tools and New Technologies Profoundly Changes How Disasters Are Covered—and Who Covers Them
The Emergence of Social Media as a Disaster Communications Tool
China’s SARs Epidemic (2003)
The London Transit Bombings (2005)
California Wildfires (2007)
Virginia Tech Shootings (2007) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) Shootings (2008)
Myanmar Cyclone and China’s Sichuan Earthquake (2008)
Mumbai Terrorist Attacks (2008)
Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami (2011)
Tuscaloosa and Joplin Tornados (2011)
Boston Marathon Bombings (2013)
The Use of Digital Media During Disasters Will Continue to Skyrocket
Five: Principles of a Successful Communications Strategy
Principle: Focus on the Needs of your Customers
Understanding What Information Customers Need
Work on Your Customer’s Schedule and Not Your Own
Use Language That Most People Can Understand
Recognize Language and Cultural Differences Among Your Customers
Identify Trusted Community Leaders Who Can Facilitate Communications in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods
Respect Functional Needs Populations and Take Action to Meet Their Specific Communications Needs
Use the Appropriate Media to Reach Your Customers
Principle: Make a Commitment to Effective Communications
Be an Active Participant in Communications
Include Communications Director on Senior Management Team
Hire and Maintain Professional Staff
Invest in Ongoing Training for Staff
Invest Resources in Communications
Principle: Make Communications an Integral Part of All Planning and Operations
Bring Communications Professionals to the Table
Run All Decisions Through the Communications Filter
Develop Communication Strategies to Support Operations
Create Communications Strategies to Promote Plans
Principle: Be Transparent in Your Communications
Do Not Talk About What You Do Not Know
Do Not Talk About Actions of Other Organizations
Do Not Make Promises You Cannot Keep
Acknowledge the Conversation
Principle: Ensure that Your Information is Accurate
Make Information a Priority
Invest in Information Collection
Invest in Information Management
Use Only Confirmed Information
Make Decisions Based on Good Information
Principle: Release Information in a Timely Manner
Do Not Hold onto Information—Share It
Make Special Updates When New Information Emerges
Reach Out to as Many Media Outlets as Possible
Principle: Make Yourself, Your Staff, and Technical Experts (Where Appropriate) Available and Accessible
Be Available and Accessible to the Media
Make the Incident Commander Available to the Media
Work with Elected and Appointed Officials
Support Your Public Information Officer
Make Technical Staff Available to the Media
Include Officials from Other Emergency Agencies
Secure Media Training for Yourself and Staff
Principle: Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience
Give Your Organization a Human Face
Assure the Audience Who Is in Charge
Be the Source of Information for the Media and the Public
Speak in Plain and Direct Language
Ensure That All Parties Are Served
Principle: Build a Partnership with the Media
Maintain a Trained Media Relations Staff
Be Consistently Accessible to the Media
Be the Central Information Source
Provide Safe Access to the Disaster Site
Respond to Media Inquiries
Understand Media Deadlines and Information Needs
Work with All Media—Traditional and Social
Six: Application of Communications Principles to All Four Phases of Emergency Management
Preparedness Programs and Actions
Seven: Disaster Communications Audiences
Elected Officials and Community Leaders
Partners and Stakeholders
Eight: How to Adapt to the Changing Media Environment
Social Media as a Critical and Indispensable Element in Disaster and Crisis Communications
Best Social Media Practices for Emergency Managers
Tips for Interacting with the Media and the Public
Getting Emergency Information to—and from—the Media
Press Conferences and Briefings
Keys to All Successful Media Outreach
The Boston Marathon Bombings
How Social Media Was Used During the Boston Marathon Bombings
Breaking News/Real-Time Updates
Help Identify the Suspects and Capture the Surviving Suspect
Keep People and Law Enforcement Officials Safe
Offer Community Support, Resources, and Sympathy
Boston Police Department: The Social Media Infrastructure and Community Relationship Were Built Long before the Bombings
The Great East Japan Earthquake
Crowdsourcing a Radioactive Threat in Japan
Climate Change Communications
What Adaptation Communicators and Disaster Communicators Have in Common
How Adaptation and Disaster Communictors Can Work Together
Eleven: Communicating During a Public Health Crisis
Health Departments and Social Media Use
Integrating Social Networks and Disaster Response
Trends in Social Media Use in Public Health
News Organizations Are Using Their Presence on Social Media to Increase Public Health Awareness
Increasing Reliance on Social Media for Real-Time Rescue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC)’s Best Advice for Communicating During a Public Health Crisis
How Audiences Assess Messages in a Crisis
Trust and Credibility of the Message
Crisis Communications Tactics
Twelve: Building an Effective Disaster Communications Capability in a Changing Media World
Monitoring, Updating, and Adapting
Emergency Management Terms
Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World
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