brandon brewer Joint Information Center training March 2014

Collaborative Crisis Communications &joint information center operations

Brandon brewerCrisis communications consultant

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

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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.

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

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Steps To take before crisis strikes

1. Identification

• Contingencies, roles, partners

2. Planning & Education

• Individual plans, shared plans, overriding doctrine

3. Mobilization

• Stimulus to collaborate

4. Operations

5. Demobilization

6. Hot Wash

Where does collaboration happen?

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)

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Who is in the JIC?Needs of the Incident:

•Federal

•Tribal

•State

•Local

•Industry reps

•Stakeholders

•Volunteers

•Hired help

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JIC ParticipationNot mandatory

• best interestMaintain agency responsibilities

• entity-specific info

• inform own HQs

• maintain goals, objectives of home agency or company

Check your ego at the door!

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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.

Need a template?• Efficient information flow between

responding agencies






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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

How to set up a JIC1. 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

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Initial Response

Public Information

Officer

Gather initialincident

information(Information Gathering)

Write news release(InformationProducts)

Answer media calls

(Media Relations)

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JIC HierarchyPublic 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 RelationsSpecialist

Community SupportSpecialist

Field Specialist

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Strategic Planning

Tactical Planning

Tactical JIC Ops

Social MediaSpecialist

9/11, New York CityPublic Information Officer

APIO, Staten IslandJIC Manager

APIO, ManhattanJIC Manager

Media RelationsSpecialists

Speaker Support Specialists

Fact Gathering/Status Board Specialists

Writers

Field Specialists

Writers


Field Specialists

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Hurricane Katrina ESF-10 JICPublic Information

Officer

APIO,JIC Manager


APIO,Information Gathering &

Information Products



Fact Gathering Specs

Writers

Media Relations Specs EPA Region 6 CIC

CIC Rapid Response Team

CIC Team 1

CIC Team 2

CIC Team 3

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ICP = Incident Command Post

FOB = Forward Operating Base

Deepwater Horizon Response

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

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JIC HierarchyPublic Information

Officer

APIO, JIC Manager

APIO, Information Gathering

APIO, Information Products


Fact Gathering Specialist

Status Board Specialist

Media Monitoring & Analysis Specialist

Rumor Control Specialist

Writer

Photographer


Website Specialist

Media Relations Specialist

Speaker Support Specialist


Community RelationsSpecialist

Community SupportSpecialist

Field Specialist

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Strategic Planning

Tactical Planning

Tactical JIC Ops

Social MediaSpecialist

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

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Inform Public

AnalyzePerception

Gather Data

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

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APIO for Information GatheringManages Information Gathering functions

Responsibilities:

•Gather facts•Display facts•Monitor the media•Analyze media reports•Respond to rumors

PIO

JIC Manager

Information Gathering


MediaRelations

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APIO for Information Products

Manages product development functions

Responsibilities:

•Writing •Dissemination•Preparation•Imagery•Casebook

PIO

JIC Manager



MediaRelations

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APIO for Media RelationsCoordinates 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



MediaRelations

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Community Relations Asst. PIOCoordinates 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



MediaRelations

CommunityRelations

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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

Summary

• Efficient information flow between responding agencies






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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”

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Crisis Comms Blog

•TheCrisisCommunicator.com

Twitter

•@crisis_comms

LinkedIn

•The “Brandon Brewer” that’s a Crisis Comms Consultant!

Gmail

•[email protected]

How you can connect with me

brandon brewer Joint Information Center training March 2014

Presentations & Public Speaking

public information officer

efficient information

proactive response

incident command system

public concerns

jic participation

jic manager apio

federal response requirements