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EPI Subcommittee Workshop

Monday, May 5, 2008

8:00 am - 8:10 am

Introductions

8:05 am – 9:10 am

California Fires/ Bomb Threat

Phillip Van Saun, Emergency Manager University of California San Diego This presentation focused on emergency public information, emergency notification and joint information center lessons-learned during our response to the wild fires and bomb hoax which occurred in 2007.

9:10 am - 10:10 am

Public Information in an Emergency: Organizational Anticipation, Response and Follow-Up/Lessons Learned from the VA Tech Shootings

Dr. Lawrence Pettit, President Emeritus Indiana University of Pennsylvania

This presentation, from the perspective of a CEO discussed the role of public information officers in planning for risk assessment and prevention, emergency response, and incident aftermath. The speaker stressed the importance of agreed upon internal and external communication channels, the designation of a single public information officer and an emergency response center in emergencies, the need for coordination, where relevant, with the Governor's public information team, and provision of timely information and services to victims and their families.

10:20 am - 11:30 am

Understanding and Integrating Psychosocial Factors to Enhance Communication During a Crisis

Dr. Brian Flynn, Associate Director Uniformed Services University Health Sciences

This presentation reviewed key factors in understanding the psychosocial factors and priorities in risk and crisis communication and highlighted key psychological processes related to message processing. Often overlooked methods for communication beyond the written and spoken word were also highlighted.

1:00 pm - 2:10 pm

Families and Media Before and During Crises: Efficacy and Familiarity

Dr. Coombs, Associate Professor Crisis Communication Studies, Eastern Illinois University

The success of a crisis communication effort is in large part based on what is done before the crisis. This presentation addressed pre-crisis and crisis communication with an emphasis on families and the media. Recommendations for improving pre-crisis and crisis communication with these publics were presented and basic recommendations useful in any crisis were discussed.

2:10 pm - 2:40 pm

Beating the Clock - The Issuance of Timely, Accurate, and Meaningful News Releases in Record Time!

Darrell Lankford, Darrell M. Lankford & Associates

This presentation provided insight into how the news release development process can be simplified and streamlined using emergency management tools already in existence. Examples from Emergency Preparedness Hazards Assessment (EPHA) and Emergency Action Levels EALs) were used to highlight useful information that can be used to develop pre-formatted high quality news releases.

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP)

Al Cerrone, Director Office of Emergency Operations, DOE/NNSA NA-40

This presentation discussed the updates and implementation of the COOP (DOE O 150.1C) across the complex.

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

EPI Subcommittee Planning Meeting

  • Path forward for 2008-09
  • Electing a chairperson
  • Potential products