Communications: The Critical Function

Abstract

“Communications: The Critical Function” notes that communications is now universally accepted as a critical function in emergency management. The dissemination of timely and accurate information to the general public, elected and community officials, and the media plays a major role in the effective management of disaster response and recovery activities. This chapter defines the mission of an effective disaster communications strategy and outlines five critical assumptions that serve as the foundation for such a strategy. These assumptions include focusing on the customer; commitment from leadership to communicate; inclusion of communications specialists in all planning and operations; ongoing situational awareness; and, building an effective partnership with traditional and new media outlets. Examples of effective communications in disaster events and promoting disaster reduction efforts are examined in this chapter, as are examples of ineffective communications and the effect these failures had on disaster response operations.