Widmeyer Announces New Client Win: Health Research Incorporated
Specifically, the Consortium will work with HRI to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of faith-based organizations regarding public health preparedness, specifically regarding the provision of essential information to their constituencies, and to identify challenges, gaps and barriers to conducting emergency preparedness and response activities.
Expected outcomes from the communications research and training are to:
- Determine faith communities’ knowledge, attitude and behaviors regarding public health preparedness
- Use the research findings to inform strategies to assist faith communities in their emergency preparedness and response activities
- Engage trusted leaders within faith communities as credible third party sources for emergency public information disseminated by state and local health officials
- Build and enhance relationships among faith communities and state and local public health preparedness staff;
“Large sums of money are being allocated to preparedness at the national, state and local level, but a relatively small proportion of these funds are devoted to improving communication and coordination with faith communities,” continued Tinker. “As talk increases about ‘not if, but when’ a large-scale emergency may occur, the need for working with these faith communities as conduits for emergency information, particularly to vulnerable populations – is a top priority.”
The Consortium works with a variety of public and private sector clients and helps them plan for unforeseen and potentially threatening circumstances and respond effectively to immediate crisis. In particular, the Consortium places a strong emphasis on the need to prepare internal and external communications activities so that they are in alignment with operations activities and capabilities.
For more information about the Consortium for Risk and Crisis Communication, contact Tim Tinker at tim.tinker@widmeyer.com or at 202-667-0901.
