brandon brewer Joint Information Center training March 2014
- 1. Collaborative Crisis Communications & joint information center operations Brandon brewer Crisis communications consultant
- 2. BLUF: Why collaborate? • Efficient information flow between responding agencies • Allows proactive response to info needs • Agencies speak with one voice • Better resource management • Duplication of effort is minimized • Designated job responsibilities 2
- 3. Need more reasons? Three lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon response: 1.As the complexity of incident response increases, so too should your work with your partners. 2.The more the public is affected by the incident, and your response to it, the more you need to communicate directly to them. 3.YOU need to control YOUR message.
- 4. HSPD-5 • Directed the development of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) • Provides a consistent, nationwide template that enables responders to work together • Applicable across a full spectrum of incidents or scenarios, regardless of size 4
- 5. Steps To take before crisis strikes 1. Identification • Contingencies, roles, partners 1. Planning & Education • Individual plans, shared plans, overriding doctrine 1. Mobilization • Stimulus to collaborate 1. Operations 2. Demobilization 3. Hot Wash
- 6. Where does collaboration happen?
- 7. What is a JIC? • Designated to handle public info needs • Co-located group of representatives • Part of the Incident Command System (ICS) • Led by a Public Information Officer (PIO) 7
- 8. Who is in the JIC? Needs of the Incident: •Federal •Tribal •State •Local •Industry reps •Stakeholders •Volunteers •Hired help 8
- 9. JIC Participation Not mandatory • best interest Maintain agency responsibilities • entity-specific info • inform own HQs • maintain goals, objectives of home agency or company Check your ego at the door! 9
- 10. Rules of the game 1. Accept public as a legitimate partner 2. Plan carefully/evaluate efforts 3. Listen to public concerns 4. Be honest and open 5. Coordinate with other credible sources 6. Meet media’s needs 7. Speak clearly and with compassion Allen, F.W., & Covello, V.T. (1988). Seven cardinal rules of risk communication. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C.
- 11. Need a template? • Efficient information flow between responding agencies • Allows proactive response to info needs • Agencies speak with one voice • Better resource management • Duplication of effort is minimized • Designated job responsibilities 11
- 12. NRT JIC Model is: • All Hazard • NIMS ICS compliant • For PIOs who work at the Incident Command Post level • Guidance, NOT policy • Based on best practices • Used to conduct crisis communications during emergency responses • Inline with federal response requirements • Works within the ICS framework
- 13. How to set up a JIC 1. Select a location close to the ICP 2. Establish a dedicated phone line 3. Gather basic facts about incident 4. Use gathered info to answer inquiries 5. Assign APIO positions as necessary 6. Call for more assistance 7. Complete required ICS documents 13
- 14. Initial Response Public Information Officer Gather initial incident information (Information Gathering) Write news release (Information Products) Answer media calls (Media Relations) 14
- 15. JIC Hierarchy Public Information Officer APIO, JIC Manager APIO, Information Gathering APIO, Information Products APIO, Media Relations Fact Gathering Specialist Status Board Specialist Media Monitoring & Analysis Specialist Rumor Control Specialist Writer Photographer Administrative Assistant Website Specialist Media Relations Specialist Speaker Support Specialist APIO, Community Relations Community Relations Specialist Community Support Specialist Field Specialist 15 Strategic Planning Tactical Planning Tactical JIC Ops Social Media Specialist
- 16. 9/11, New York City Public Information Officer APIO, Staten Island JIC Manager APIO, Manhattan JIC Manager Media Relations Specialists Speaker Support Specialists Fact Gathering/ Status Board Specialists Writers Field Specialists Writers Administrative Assistant Field Specialists 16
- 17. Hurricane Katrina ESF-10 JIC Public Information Officer APIO, JIC Manager Administrative Assistant APIO, Information Gathering & Information Products APIO, Media Relations APIO, Community Relations Fact Gathering Specs Writers Media Relations Specs EPA Region 6 CIC CIC Rapid Response Team CIC Team 1 CIC Team 2 CIC Team 3 17
- 18. ICP = Incident Command Post FOB = Forward Operating Base Deepwater Horizon Response
- 19. JIC Positions • All JIC positions should be filled based on training, experience, skills and ability - not rank or seniority • JIC positions provide clearly defined responsibilities and accountability • You may fill one or more of these positions • Exception: some agencies have required training 19
- 20. JIC Hierarchy Public Information Officer APIO, JIC Manager APIO, Information Gathering APIO, Information Products APIO, Media Relations Fact Gathering Specialist Status Board Specialist Media Monitoring & Analysis Specialist Rumor Control Specialist Writer Photographer Administrative Assistant Website Specialist Media Relations Specialist Speaker Support Specialist APIO, Community Relations Community Relations Specialist Community Support Specialist Field Specialist 20 Strategic Planning Tactical Planning Tactical JIC Ops Social Media Specialist
- 21. Public Information Officer Appointed by IC/UC based on qualifications Primary responsibilities: •Gather incident data •Inform the media and public •Analyze public perceptions •Establish and staff a JIC 21 Inform Public Analyze Perception Gather Data
- 22. Asst. PIO/JIC Manager May act as PIO Responsibilities: •Supervise all JIC activities •Ensures completion and proper filing of ICS and JIC paperwork • 213s, 214s, 225s, checklists, media queries 22
- 23. APIO for Information Gathering Manages Information Gathering functions Responsibilities: •Gather facts •Display facts •Monitor the media •Analyze media reports •Respond to rumors PIO JIC Manager Information Gathering Information Products Media Relations 23
- 24. APIO for Information Products Manages product development functions Responsibilities: •Writing •Dissemination •Preparation •Imagery •Casebook PIO JIC Manager Information Gathering Information Products Media Relations 24
- 25. APIO for Media Relations Coordinates the release of information to the public Responsibilities: •Respond to all media inquiries •Select/prepare speakers •Conduct news briefings/interviews •Provide escorts to media •Credential media •Maintain multi-lingual capabilities •Maintain/update media lists •Identify misinformation/rumors PIO JIC Manager Information Gathering Information Products Media Relations 25
- 26. Community Relations Asst. PIO Coordinates the release of information to the public Responsibilities: •Determine community info needs •Community outreach programs •Establish contact with influential community members •Community meetings •Canvas local community •Develop outreach materials •Inform the public of volunteer opportunities •Respond to community inquiries •Operate social media channels PIO JIC Manager Information Gathering Information Products Media Relations Community Relations 26
- 27. Social media? Can add volume to your megaphone, but: •Have strategic & tactical plans for use in crisis •Be able to staff it •Most social media is fueled by interaction •Use platforms that affected stakeholders already monitor •Integrate it with standard communication practices •Use existing channels to point stakeholders to crisis channel •Partner with 3rd parties for support
- 28. Summary • Efficient information flow between responding agencies • Allows proactive response to info needs • Agencies speak with one voice • Better resource management • Duplication of effort is minimized • Designated job responsibilities 28
- 29. Crisis & collaboration Resources www.training.fema.gov • ICS, NIMS courses Beyond Initial Response: ICS by Deal, et al. • ISBN 1-4259-1891-3 USCG Homeport – http://homeport.uscg.mil • Click “Library” tab, then “Incident Command System” • ICS Forms and Job Aids National Response Team – www.NRT.org • Recommend using search bar for “JIC Model” 29
- 30. Crisis Comms Blog •TheCrisisCommunicator.com Twitter •@crisis_comms LinkedIn •The “Brandon Brewer” that’s a Crisis Comms Consultant! Gmail •TheCrisisCommunicator@gmail.com How you can connect with me