https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE Expo
    • Calendar of Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Commentaries


Commentary

Effective crisis communication

Effective crisis communication

  • Written by Sanjay Saini
  • 17th July 2019

In times of crisis, clear communication is essential. Whether it’s a public health concern, natural disaster, or anything in between, it’s important for local, state and federal governments to communicate clearly and effectively to save lives and dispel any chaos. It’s not enough to simply be prepared—crisis management strategies should always strive for overpreparedness.

Look no further than the recent measles outbreak in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio declared it a public emergency, mandating that unvaccinated people in parts of Brooklyn—where the outbreak was most concentrated—must receive a measles vaccine or face fines. This approach, regardless of its efficacy, is a prime example of why a clear, consistent message around a crisis represents the best first step in dealing with and responding to it.

The most dangerous thing during a time of crisis is a lack of information or misinformation, both of which can lead to mass panic. That’s why it’s imperative for governments of the world to have a crisis communications management system in place, especially in today’s age of disinformation, in order to keep people calm and safe.

Localities that have crisis communications systems can provide citizens with alerts and updates on emergencies as they happen while instructing them on how to remain safe. That could be anything from real-time identification of areas with the highest level of measles infection rates in New York City to issuing evacuation alerts to towns directly in the path of the extreme weather.

A crisis management system isn’t just a means of keeping the public safe—it’s also a means of managing emergency stakeholders and first responders, whose job it is to protect, serve and ensure the right message and information from a reliable, trusted source gets to the people who need it most, when they need it most.

Public officials today face far more complex challenges when it comes to conveying the appropriate, factual message. That’s because we live in an era of fake news. Couple that with telecom networks that can get backed up and jammed in an instant, and you’ve got the recipe for a whole new disaster. That’s why a properly designed crisis communication program is so essential.

Governments with emergency management software can better coordinate with first responders during a crisis and warn the public. Combined with a response management system, teams can better collaborate on the ground and usher the public through a crisis with more reliable communications being disseminated.

Of course, these systems must also incorporate security as well. Authentication and encryption methods should be employed to ensure that all transmissions from a crisis communications system comply with privacy and security regulations. Messages that transfer between responders and government officials need to be highly secure so that only trusted, authorized communications from reputable sources are given to the media and public.

Effective crisis communications and emergency management systems are also interoperable across a vast range of networks, devices and media. This way, a uniform, streamlined message is conveyed to all without any room for misinterpretation or confusion. The system should also provide consistent updates to keep citizens alert and aware of the crisis situation as it progresses.

And because people are dialed into more communications channels than ever before, it’s important that these systems incorporate multi-modal technology to instantaneously deliver messages across various mediums. This includes everything from cell phones, social media, television, laptops/tablets and connected devices.

Equally important is communicating information from the field back to the appropriate agencies and stakeholders. This way they can better respond and adapt to changing conditions as they unfold. An emergency alert system with two-way communications capabilities can better identify who needs help and expedite the process of coordinating nearby responders to assist.

There’s always another crisis looming around the corner. These occurrences tend to spring up both frequently and without any warning. Therefore, it’s important for governments of the world to take a hard look at the emergency and crisis management systems they have established. Only then can they begin to implement processes that are not only reactionary and informative to real-time situations but are also prepared to save lives no matter what curveballs may arise.

 

Sanjay Saini is SVP and GM of AtHoc at BlackBerry, a trusted security software and services company that provides enterprises and governments with the technology they need to secure the Internet of Things. AtHoc is a leading crisis communication platform used by state and local agencies globally to communicate and collaborate during critical events and emergencies.

Tags: Public Safety Commentaries Commentary

Most Recent


  • Report: Modern construction techniques, building codes protected structures that survived Lahaina fire
    More than a month after wildfire ripped through the historic community of Lahaina, Hawaii, emergency responders continue working to get a more comprehensive picture of what triggered the tragedy. The death toll remains at 115 people. A recent report from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s research division unpacks why the fire was […]
  • asthma
    The top 10 Asthma Capitals for 2023
    September is Asthma Peak Month thanks to ragweed pollen peaking, higher mold counts, the start of cold and flu season, and kids headed back to school. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released its 2023 Asthma Capitals report, which analyses data from the 100 most populated cities and reveals the most challenging […]
  • Searchable mapping tool shows local, county heat-related injury EMS activation data
    Twenty-twenty-three has been a record year for temperatures globally—and they’re expected to continue to rise into the foreseeable future. From cooling infrastructure to policy changes that accomidate workers, cities and counties across the United States are adapting to this new norm. A new tool from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of […]
  • great downtown
    10 American cities accessible and safe for pedestrians
    Amid a recent increase in roadway deaths nationally, pedestrian safety has become a prioritized topic in city halls and county offices across the United States. Research has proven that traffic calming features and smart urban planning can dramatically reduce the risk for pedestrians. Some cities are better at it than others. A new ranking from […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Preventing cyber-attacks needs to be a priority for local governments
  • Building community and officer wellness through data sharing
  • California city combines advanced technology with dedicated public safety team for comprehensive emergency management
  • 10 tactical modifications for healthier public facilities

WHITE PAPERS


7 Resources to Level-up Your Federal Grants Administration and Compliance

5th September 2023

Elevator Phone Line Replacement Strategy | A Guide to Reliable, Code-Compliant Solutions

29th August 2023

2023 State of Public Sourcing Report: The Bright Future of Public Procurement

23rd August 2023
view all

Webinars


Grant Preparedness: Unlocking Funding Opportunities for Your Success

10th August 2023

2023 State of Public Sourcing: Taking Local Governments into a Bright Future

1st August 2023

Stop Playing with Fire: How to Manage Infrastructure Asset Risk So You Know You’re Covered

20th June 2023
view all

Podcast


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


Gallery: Hottest temperatures recorded in American cities during July

12th September 2023

The top 10 Asthma Capitals for 2023

7th September 2023

U.S. cities with the cleanest air from latest “State of the Air” report

5th September 2023
view all

Twitter


Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.