Emergency Preparedness and Response Fundamentals
Lesson 2
Communication as a Key Role
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Objectives
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Describe how public health ordinances help
prevent emergencies
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Describe how environmental health fits into
an Incident Command Structure
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Assume an appropriate risk communication
role in emergencies
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Ordinances
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Ordinances establish standards and regulations
that protect the health, safety, and general
welfare of residents.
Food Protection
Hazardous Waste
Management
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Example:
Emergency management organization
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Example:
Incident command structure
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Who communicates what?
Public Information Officer’s (PIO) responsibilities in an
emergency:
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„
„
„
„
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Supervise the gathering of necessary information from
EH and other professionals
Facilitate the timely preparation of news releases
Brief public affairs officers who go to the incident site
Schedule news conferences, interviews and other media
access
Assign print and broadcast monitors to review all media
reports for accuracy
Coordinate rumor control activity
Obtain media assistance in disseminating information
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EH communication role in an
emergency
„
Report up the chain of
command to the PIO.
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Do not communicate
directly with the media
or public.
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Summary
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Local ordinances establish standards and
regulations to protect the health, safety and welfare
of the people.
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The Incident Command structure provides for
internal and external liaison between organizations.
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The EH professional’s responsibility is to report up
the chain of command to the PIO.
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