-
Become familiar with Capability
Functions
Become familiar with Tasks that complete
the Functions
-
The ability to develop, coordinate, and
disseminate information, alerts, warnings, and
notifications to the public and incident
responders.
-
1. Activate the emergency public information system
2. Determine the need for a joint public information system
3. Establish and participate in information system
operations
4. Establish avenues for public interaction and information
exchange
5. Issue public information, alerts, warnings, and
notifications
-
1. Identify Public Information Officer, support staff, and
spokespeople to convey information to the public.
2. Identify a primary and alternate physical and/or virtual
structure to support public information operations.
3. Ensure identified personnel are trained in the functions they
may be asked to fulfill.
4. Notify public information staff of the need to either be
on-call or to report for duty when requested within the appropriate
timeframe.
5. Assemble public information staff at the physical or virtual
location, debrief on the incident, and assign duties.
6. Assist local public health systems in implementing emergency
communication abilities.
-
Role of Public Information Officer, support staff, and potential
spokespersons
Message templates addressing jurisdictional vulnerabilities
Primary and alternate physical and/or virtual structure for
alerting and public information operations
Roster/call down list with pre-identified staff to participate
in communications
Job action sheets for staff and volunteers
Protocol for staff notification and reporting
Process to activate research, media operations, and logistics
roles
Process for State to provide support and assistance to local
public health systems
NIMS training for public information staff
Crisis and emergency risk communication training
PIO responsibiliites and competencies
Essential services and emergency service designation
Dedicated phone line for inquiries
24/7 alerting capacity
Redundant power supply to support 24/7 alerting and messaging
capacity
Walkie talkies, ham radios, or other wireless devices
-
1. Set up Joint Information Center (JIC), if needed. If a
physical location is not possible, set up a virtual JIC.
2. Identify a health department representative cover public
information tasks at the emergency operations center, if a JIC is
not needed or possible.
3. Assign tasks to staff to coordinate messages and information
for at least these three areas: Research, Media Operations, and
Administration, if needed.
-
Decision matrix for scalable joint information system
operations Process to establish a virtual joint information
center SOP for requesting additional alerting resources
Awareness-level training specific to media operations Minimum
components of a virtual joint information center
Recommended support materials for jurisdictions to send and
receive information
-
1. Develop, recommend, and execute approved public
information plans and strategies on behalf of the
Incident Command or Unified Command structure.
2. If there is a JIC, provide a single release point of
information for health and healthcare issues through a
pre-identified spokesperson.
3. Maintain rumor control for media outlets, such as
television, internet, radio, and newspapers.
-
Media contact list and procedure to keep list up to date and
accurate
Procedures for media operations and tracking NIMS training for
public information staff Equipment to receive messaging from public
alert
system
-
1. Establish mechanisms (e.g., call center, poison control
center, and non-emergency line such as 211 or 311) for public and
media inquiries to get critical information.
2. If health department websites exist, post incident-related
information on health department website as a means of informing
and connecting with the public.
3. Use social media (e.g., Twitter and Facebook) when and if
possible for public health messaging.
-
Procedure activate designated inquiry line Identification of
community partners and creation of
call center concept of operations Utilization of CDC-INFO to
increase response capacity
Social networking tools Guidelines for message development when
utilizing
social media Scripts and message maps for call center staff
Social media and health communications training NIMS IS-704 IT or
telephonic equipment to support scalability of the
inquiry line
-
1. Comply with established jurisdictional legal guidelines to
avoid communication of information that is protected for national
security or law enforcement reasons or that may infringe on
individual and entity rights.
2. Disseminate information to the public using pre-established
message maps, in languages and formats that take into account
jurisdiction demographics, and at-risk populations, persons with
disabilities, economic disadvantage, limited language proficiency,
cultural or geographical isolation.
3. Transmit health-related messaging information to responder
organizations through secure58 messaging platforms.
-
Clearance/approval process to address information verification
and approval of documents
Translation of materials/resources for populations with limited
language proficiency
Creation of low literacy/easy to read printed materials
Materials for the visually or hearing impaired Process and
protocol to reach rural/isolated
populations Process to provide information to at-risk
individuals
Identification of legal authorities IT skill set to support
health alert system Health communication and cultural sensitivity
training
-
Please contact:
Carolyn Elliott, MPH
Health Care Coalition Coordinator
303-692-3020
[email protected]
