HSM 315 Week 4 Discussion 1, Preparing the Populace

Preparing the populace is an important part of the planning process for emergencies. In addition to Chapter 6 and 8 of your text, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) creates several mechanisms for communicating with the public. Review the Are You Ready? Guide page on the FEMA website, and the Safer, Stronger, Protected Homes & Communities page.

Explain whether or not you believe this is a good method for preparing the public for natural and man-made disasters. Identify two strengths and two weaknesses of using social media, as suggested by Huder, to communicate with the public.  Provide a recommendation of what might be a more effective form of communication with the public   …….  (TWO RESPONSES)

HSM 315 Week 4 Discussion 2, The Press, Friend or Foe?

Any time we have a response to a natural disaster or terrorist incident there will be extensive news coverage. Every decision will be public knowledge and can have political, economic, and even life and death consequences. In the textbook, Huder says as emergency planners it is important to understand the role of the press, what the public needs to know, and how we should manage the information flow.

Decide whether the press is a friend or a foe in your local area. What are the basic rules that decision makers need to adhere to when talking to the press?  How can decision makers and emergency planners enlist the press to support the emergency response? Should the public rely on the press to provide accurate information?………….(TWO RESPONSES)