Crisis Communications Planning Paid Off
Even with all the lessons learned through this tragedy, there is always still more to know. Having a crisis communication plan in place is good. Having the network of crisis professionals and other external resources in place to execute the plan is exceptional.
No community ever thinks something like this can happen to them. But if and when it does, constant communication and partnering with news agencies for the good of the community will provide the most benefit for everyone involved.
Barbara F. Nash, APR, is a senior strategic public relations and reputation management consultant and can be reached at (256) 656-7039 or [email protected].
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10 Steps to Take During a Severe Crisis
- Secure your students and employees first
- Use whatever means of communication you have at your disposal to get information to your stakeholders within the first few minutes
- Hold multiple news conferences within the first few hours, and then at least daily after that for as long as it takes
- Monitor all forms of media coverage continually – social, online, broadcast and print
- Enlist the assistance of people who have been through similar situations before and draw on their experiences to develop your response
- Maintain constant contact with your local news directors and editors through conference calls and meetings to establish a mutually beneficial relationship
- Conduct community-wide meetings as soon as possible to strengthen support throughout all stakeholder groups
- Provide one-on-one interviews with key administrators and other appropriate subjects as soon as possible
- Use all available methods of continuing communication to the community such as Web sites, E-mail, social media and listserv applications
- Always provide as much accurate information as possible as soon as possible.
