Download Objectives - Chatham Emergency Management Agency

Media Relations
Communicating Effectively
during emergencies/disasters
How well YOU communicate to the
public will determine how favorably the
public views the response!
Crisis Communication

Good Communication is KEY to public
perception
Crisis Communication
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Good Communication is KEY to public
perception
Be empathic
Crisis Communication

Good Communication is KEY to public
perception

Be empathic

Communicate with GOALS in mind
What is at risk?
How YOU land in the public’s living room
As a Spokesperson…AVOID
1.
Mixed, muddles messages
As a Spokesperson…AVOID
1.
Mixed, muddles messages
2.
Late information; No information
As a Spokesperson…AVOID
1.
Mixed, muddles messages
2.
Late information; No information
3.
“Expert Knows Best” attitudes
As a Spokesperson…AVOID
1.
Mixed, muddles messages
2.
Late information; No information
3.
“Expert Knows Best” attitudes
4.
Public Turf Battles
Basic Public Information

Who Are the Media…
And What Do they Want with ME?
Media on Scene

The Media will arrive on the scene

Often before the PIO
Media on Scene

The Media will arrive on the scene

Often before the PIO

Because it’s news
Media on Scene

The Media will arrive on the scene

Often before the PIO

Because it’s news

To get the most current info
Media on Scene

The Media will arrive on the scene

Often before the PIO

Because it’s news

To get the most current info

To add excitement to the story
What Every Reporter Needs
… and then we’ll leave (usually)
ALL News Orgs Want…

Answers to questions
ALL News Orgs Want…

Answers to questions

Access to the scene
ALL News Orgs Want…

Answers to questions

Access to the scene

Interviews
ALL News Orgs Want…

Answers to questions

Access to the scene

Interviews
To meet their deadlines
Establish a PIO

Should have no other duties
other than media relations
Establish a PIO


Should have no other duties
other than media relations
Must be linked into official information
Establish a PIO



Should have no other duties
other than media relations
Must be linked into official information
Must have trust of on scene responders
as well as media
Know Your Legal Limits

Know your state’s
access laws
Know Your Legal Limits


Know your state’s
access laws
Deny access for
safety, legal reasons
– not just because
you can
YOU
are a Source of Information
YOU
are a Source of Information
…but you are not the ONLY
source of information
Media can help by…

Providing lifesaving information before,
during and after an incident
Media can help by…


Providing lifesaving information before,
during and after an incident
Reducing panic
Media can help by…

Providing lifesaving information before,
during and after an incident

Reducing panic

Limiting calls into 911
Media can help by…

Providing lifesaving information before,
during and after an incident

Reducing panic

Limiting calls into 911

Alert/warning
Beware the Deadly Sins

Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Beware the Deadly Sins


Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Never go “off the record”
Beware the Deadly Sins



Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Never go “off the record”
Never make assumptions
Beware the Deadly Sins

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
Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Never go “off the record”
Never make assumptions
Never answer hypothetical questions
Beware the Deadly Sins


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

Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Never go “off the record”
Never make assumptions
Never answer hypothetical questions
Never offer your own opinion
Beware the Deadly Sins


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


Never assume you are off mike or off
camera
Never go “off the record”
Never make assumptions
Never answer hypothetical questions
Never offer your own opinion
Never say “No Comment”
Body Language

Speaks volumes even when you’re not talking
Body Language


Speaks volumes even when you’re not talking
Body language and non-verbal cues send
stronger message than words
People believe non-verbal over verbal!
RELAX

Have a conversation with the reporter

Remember who your audience is
Remember…Always tell the Truth
The public and the media will
forgive mistakes, but not
dishonesty