Response

Communication

Communications Issues (suggested, but not limited to:)

Cellular technology

• Public telecommunication companies
• Satellite phones
• 800 MHZ trunked radios
• Video and Audio conferencing
• Two-way radio
• Call-out systems

Public Relations Considerations

• Designate a single point of contact and a backup
• Know what kind of information to provide and how to communicate with the spokeperson
• Identify technical staff to be available to support spokesperson communications
• Ensure redundancies

Communication issues

• Establish a communications plan with multiple distribution mechanisms
• Find resources in your area and develop strategic partnerships
• Include for employees call-in the development of your plan

Communicating during a Disaster

        Do

• Get your facts together
• Anticipate the hard questions and be prepared to respond with solid answers
• Respond quickly with what you know and only what you know
• Say the most important things first
• Be sure everyone in your district understands your procedures and knows who is the designated spokesperson 

• Speculate or assume- stick to the facts and what you know
• Use language that is meaningful only to the tech-savvy - break down information into understandable terms
• Make "off the record" remarks or ever assume any remark is indeed off the record.

Incident Command System (ICS)

• Effective management tool for response operations
• Identification of roles and responsibilities
• Toolbox for the command, control and coordination of resources during a disaster

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

• Determine overall strategy and priorities.
• Allocate resources.
• Manage the incident.
• Ensure objectives are met.
• Ensure strategies are followed.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

• Originated during the formation of Homeland Security
• Consistent framework for government and other for profit and nonprofit agencies to work together before, during and following a disaster
• Provides for interoperability and compatibility

Practice, Practice, Practice

• Develop a culture of preparedness.
• Revisit and actively practice the plan.
• Conduct periodic audits of the plan