Question

What are the guidelines for establishing effective lines of communication in a disaster scenario?

Answer 1

In disaster situations, it is very important to enable emergency communications and this involves coordination, planning, technical soundness, training etc. The National Emergency Communications Plan has been developed by the Homeland security in order to facilitate the same purpose. The information provided to the public is serves the function of -

- saving lives and reducing injuries

- environment and property protection

- facilitation of tactical response

- seeking of public cooperation

- instilling public confidence

Challenges seen in emergency communication:

- Barriers including stress, changes in routine and lack of sleep

- Responses are required when such communications are passed on so that the public would act accordingly

Communicating strategies are affected by factors such as :

- Media selection as it should be such that it should reach the largest audience

- the media selected should prolate the message in appropriate time and also be reliable

While selecting the media of communications, the advantages and limitations of all of the sources have to be kept in mind so as to spread the information to maximum people. Emergency communication that are successful should be :

- presenting the information in sequence

- avoid any kinds of codes and acronyms and should be easily understood

- unnecessary details should be removed

- message should be in sync with other authorities

- message should be consistent across all platforms.

- multiple delivery channels should be used.

- multiple languages should be used.

- delays in issuing of warnings and messages should be reduced.