1. Introduction
Many authors have made an effort to comprehend crises by initially establishing a definition, elucidating its nature and structure, and emphasizing the intricate nature of a crisis in order to effectively handle it (Ritchie, 669).
According to some researchers, a crisis is when a disruption affects a system as a whole, threatening its basic assumptions and existential core (Pauchant and Mitroff, 15). Alternatively, others define a crisis as any action or failure that interferes with an organization's functions, viability, or has a detrimental personal effect (Faulkner, p. 136). Managing crises is challenging due to uncertainty, time constraints, and organizational limitations (Kash and Darling, 179). However, a strategic crisis communications plan can help organizations prepare, overcome difficulties, and cope with negative outcomes. This proposed plan would be part of the South Carolina Emergency Management D
...ivision's efforts to manage environmental crises such as disasters.
A Crisis Communications Plan (CCP) should be effectively implemented in order to protect the citizens of South Carolina and to prevent mass casualties from the immediate and long-term effects of chemical and natural hazards.
2 Purpose and ObjectivesIn general, this Crisis Communications
Plan aims to disseminate information through different kinds of media in order to help the public prepare and cope with natural disasters. This plan also aims to (a) inform the public regarding evacuation awareness (b) list safety precautions for travelers, (c) give warning advice for those who stay behind, and (d) list the different kinds of media for public information3 List of Key PublicsThe public and private organizations assigned by the SCEMD to implement the CCP for South Carolina includes both external and internal publics to communicate with before, during,
and after the crisis. The enabling publics (people with the power and authority to make decisions), the functional publics (people who actually make the organization work), the normative publics (people who share values with the organization in crises), and the diffused publics (people linked indirectly to the organization in crisis) are all important to attain the objectives of this plan (Fearn-Banks, 26). However, the media, which belong to the diffused publics, is chosen as the primary means of communicating to the public to prepare, guide, and help them in times of crisis.
4 Notifying Publics
The organizations implementing the CCP, the crisis control authority or the emergency communication center rules, can use various modes of communication such as telecommunications technology, fax, news release, e-mail, bulletin boards, advertisements, and meetings to contact media coordinators. The purpose is to inform the public about appropriate and effective strategies for dealing with disasters.
4.1 Evacuation
In times of disaster, alongside warning devices like sirens, warning lights, radio alerts or indoor warning systems or telephone calls, different media or communication modes will be utilized. Citizens and travelers are expected to evacuate immediately or find a safer location upon hearing or knowing crisis signals to avoid disaster.
4.2 Safety precautions for travelers
Tourism not only brings business and employment opportunities, but also increases local or national income and growth.
Most governments prioritize the development and promotion of destinations in order to attract tourists. An important factor influencing a traveler's decision to visit a destination is the assurance of safety and security. Therefore, it is crucial for the government to implement measures that address
risks posed by natural disasters, war, terrorism, crime, or diseases in order to protect the lives of travelers.
Travelers should:
- Adhere to recommended evacuation routes
- Promptly leave dangerous and risky areas
- Arrange for secure transportation and ensure sufficient gas supply
- Avoid downed power lines, washed-out roads and bridges, or flooded areas.
4.3 Warnings for those who choose not to evacuate
Individuals who decide not to evacuate should:
- Safeguard the security and wellbeing of family members, electrical appliances, and home
- Wear protective clothing or gear
- Prepare a disaster supplies kit
- Maintain an adequate food supplyd
- Have means of communication available for emergencies.
d
d
The crisis control authority will utilize various media channels to disseminate information about the crisis to the public.
The emergency communication center shall implement the following rules:4.
4.1 Traditional communication modes
Press kits, news releases, media advisories, press conferences, and spokesperson should be readily available to the public. Public announcement is important to remind people about the best preparation they could do. They should provide information to (a) warn the public before disaster occurs, (b) help and guide them during disaster, and (c) support or provide their recovery needs after disaster. These traditional communication tools must be prepared and made available to the public before crisis occurs to avoid cram and panic.
4.4.2 National versus local media
National media are used to (2) identify specific areas that would be greatly affected, (b) inform the entire nation and foreign countries about the crisis at hand in order to warn travelers to consider precautions when making decisions to travel, and (c) seek help from national and international publics for financial and human assistance whenever necessary.
The local media is responsible for informing the public about preventive measures, listing guidelines for safety and security, and
providing survival tips for citizens and travelers. Both broadcast media (television, radio, telecommunication devices, fax and computer through Internet) and print media (newspapers, magazines, news releases, flyers, and press kits) can be used for international, national, and local announcements regarding the disaster. These media should be used appropriately by considering their availability in the different areas. Meteorologists are the people who study processes in the earth’s atmosphere that cause weather conditions.
The individuals responsible for relaying information to the media and the public have specific tasks to fulfill. These include having disaster detection devices, installing warning devices in public areas, informing media personnel in advance, and ensuring the proper functioning of warning and detection devices to aid in timely preparation and evacuation. The broadcast professionals or reporters are responsible for directly disseminating information to the public via various communication channels regarding the occurrence and aftermath of a disaster. Their roles encompass informing the public and travelers about meteorologists' predictions and warnings, conveying instructions and advice from local and national governments, reporting on the consequences of a disaster before, during, and after it occurs, and providing necessary information or follow-up reports that the public may require.
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