EPR-Public Communications - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

EPR-Public CommunicationsL-06

Public Information/Communications OrganizationSlide2

Objective To

understand

the Incident Command System (

ICS

)

used

to

respond

to a

nuclear

or

radiological

emergency;

To

understand

how the Public Information

Officer

role

is

organized

and

its

place in the

overall

response

system.Slide3

OutlineIncident Command System

Public Information Centre

Public information activities

Organization and planning Slide4

Incident command system

Most widely used structure for emergency

response;

Consolidates emergency planning and decision

making;

Consistent

terminology;

Integrated

communications;

Scalable according to the size of the

emergency;

Recommended by the

IAEA.Slide5

Incident command system

Basic Structure of an ICS organizationSlide6

Organization and planning

Sample PIO structureSlide7

Incident command system

Public Information Officer (PIO)/Group may involve an individual or

group:

Reports

directly to the Incident

Commander;

Responsible

for keeping media and public informed during an

emergency;

Coordinates information with all other official

sources;

Ensures information provided is consistent, accurate and

timely.Slide8

Incident command system

Two types of emergency facilities or locations: pre-established and those established at the time of the

emergency;

For

PIO

, this may involve working from multiple

locations:

Emergency

centre

Existing offices

Public Information Centre (PIC

). Slide9

Public information centre

A public information

centre

(PIC) may be used as the centralized hub for all communications with the public and

media;

Those states with nuclear power plants may already have

PICs

established;

Establishing a PIC during an emergency response will help facilitate interactions with the public and media.Slide10

Organization and PlanningThe PIO

structure should also include liaison officers–

PIO

staff who are assigned to sit in on meetings and discussions in the Planning and Operations Sections;

The

PIO

will also need access to technical experts, so at least one expert will need to be assigned as an advisor to the

PIO

;

The designated spokesperson or spokespersons will also report and work within the

PIO

structure.Slide11

DiscussionDevelop an appropriate structure for the

PIO

according to activities to be undertaken and the geographical

location;

How would you organize your

PIO

using emergency response structure that is currently used?Slide12

DiscussionKey PIO activities

Strategic Planning

Media Relations

Media Monitoring

New Media

Liaison and Coordination

Public Relations

Internal CommunicationsSlide13

Organization and planning

Plans and procedures will need to be developed to guide the public information activities during an emergency

response;

Existing plans could be used as appropriate but may need to be

revised;

Changes will be needed to reflect whoever is responsible for approving the release of all public information products in an

emergency.Slide14

Organization and planning

Plans should also be in place to coordinate public

communications activities

with regional and or local

authorities;

Procedures will also be required for practical arrangements specific to the PIO:

Staff roster

Activation procedures

Dissemination of information

Media monitoring

Translation

Templates for holding statements and news releases

Toll free public

line. Slide15

Summary In a complex emergency, the

PIO

will require a team of experienced public information staff organized into an appropriate

structure;

Plans, procedures and practical arrangements will need to be established in advance in order for the

PIO

to undertake key activities to inform the public and

media;

These plans, procedures and arrangements should be exercised on a regular

basis.