The threat of terrorist strikes, natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks places an unprecedented demand on public health and emergency management authorities. From the rural south to America's "breadbasket" to the dense cities of the northeast, hospitals and state and local governments continue to improve their crisis communications infrastructure to respond to a broad variety of contingencies.
But in our post 9-11 world, "being prepared" has come to mean more than having quick answers for the media or instructions for the general public in the face of a bioterror incident or infectious disease outbreak. Instead, authorities are building research-based risk and crisis communications principles into their contingency planning for scenarios ranging from agricultural terrorism to mass-casualty disasters in urban centers.
By sharing information on how different types of governments and private organizations respond to the challenges unique to their environment, organizations like the Consortium for Risk and Crisis Communications (CRCC) - cofounded by Widmeyer Communications and the Center for Risk Communications - are helping to develop a broad knowledge base of best practices and effective tactics to help clients prepare for the communications demands that come with all types of emergencies, from the unthinkable attack or industrial accident, to the highly probable next major flood or tornado.
In the three case studies below, we share how three very different public health and emergency preparedness organizations are responding to crisis planning demands ...
Case Studies
The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) has developed and launched the Healthy-Secure-Mississippi campaign, a major initiative designed to inform Mississippians about emergency preparedness, public health threats and emergency response.
The Healthy-Secure-Mississippi campaign included risk communications training, the development of a new Web site featuring enhanced emergency preparedness and bioterrorism sections; and a 24/7 information hotline. These initiatives were based on statewide research, which found the public is worried about substantial public health threats such as bioterrorism, natural disasters and diseases, as well as their own and their city officials' ability to respond.
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division led the Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture, which includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Partnership developed a comprehensive risk communications model and risk communications materials for the states to use in planning for and responding to agriculture disease and other agri-security emergencies. The Partnership is also developing a Web site and information on agricultural bioterrorism.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - The Fund for Public Health In New York recently selected CRCC to conduct mental health risk communication training for hospital staff in an effort to decrease the number of unnecessary or inappropriate visits and admissions to emergency departments. The training will also help improve staff ability to provide family and community support in-hospital during a bioterrorism attack or other public health emergency.
The effort will target three-quarters of New York City's hospitals and include a comprehensive assessment of hospital mental health risk communications-focused capabilities. The assessment will identify best practices, which will be incorporated into a new training kit. In addition, staff from 51 New York City hospitals are receiving risk communications training.
To learn more about the Consortium for Risk and Crisis Communications, contact Dr. Tim Tinker at Tim.Tinker@widmeyer.com
ABOUT WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS
Widmeyer Communications (www.widmeyer.com) is an award-winning independent, full-service public relations agency. For more than 15 years we have delivered successful communications solutions to a diverse array of clients. Industry-leading businesses, local and national associations and nonprofits, and a host of public-sector agencies have all benefited from the Widmeyer difference.
Our expertise in public affairs, media relations, integrated research, marketing communications, risk and crisis communications, advertising and design makes us a value-added partner for the clients we serve.
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ISSUE 3
The threat of terrorist strikes, natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks places an unprecedented demand on public health and emergency management authorities. From the rural south to America's "breadbasket" to the dense cities of the northeast, hospitals and state and local governments continue to improve their crisis communications infrastructure to respond to a broad variety of contingencies.
