The National Ebola Training and Education Center (NETEC) has created a series of HSEEP-compliant exercises related to Ebola for healthcare facilities (Frontline Facilities, Assessment Hospitals, Healthcare Coalitions, State-Designated Ebola Treatment Centers, and others). You can find them at https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/exercise-templates/exercises .
Ebola Exercises for Healthcare Read More »
Barton Dunant has workshops through our own course, on the elements of a Crisis Communications Team – as organized by POETE (Planning, Organizing, Equipping, Training and Exercising). This will help your organization build or refine your Crisis Communications Team Plan. We also have a series of increasingly complex exercises for your Crisis Communications Team.
The FBI has a great checklist for before, during and after an incident, for Public Information Officers (PIOs) to help with Crisis Communications. We have included a free download link to it.
SalesForce.org free set of tips on e-mailing crisis communications messages, for non-profit organizations.
2022
A piece from The Washington Post.
A piece from television station KOAT from Albuquerque, NM
Crisis Communications Read More »
Here is what we are reading in 2021:
In 2023, the U.S. declared the COVID-19 Pandemic “over” (note the word was not “eliminated” or “vanquished” – semantics, moving more towards “endemic” rather than “pandemic”). Many U.S. State and other countries are experiencing a significant decline in positive cases (or is it just another wave of “pauses” in increasing positive cases from new variants?). When might the next wave be coming? What will happen when a hurricane comes ashore? Or an earthquake strikes? Can our expanded use of at-home technology continue to support virtual work? What if a large-scale computer virus attack occurs? Are schools really opening for in-person classes each fall? And how bad is the next election going to be?
Download our free white paper on the subject of Recognizing and Mitigating against COVID-19 Organizational Impacts, which includes sample S.M.A.R.T. goals for business continuity along a POETE (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercises) construct.
POETE: COVID-19 Organizational Impacts Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Social Media Emergency Management (SMEM) Guidance Tool (SMEM Guidance Tool) is an easy-to-use tool designed to support emergency managers (EMs), public information officers (PIOs), and others working in crisis communications with the development of planning materials for SMEM operations. The SMEM Guidance Tool is free and provides potential users a simple, step-by-step line of questioning to create plans to improve SMEM operations within their organizations. It is automated, web accessible, and mobile to enhance usability for practitioners, who often have limited time to dedicate to SMEM planning and operations efforts.
https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/social-media-guidance-planning
DHS S&T released the existing SMEM Guides (Social Media Business Case Guide, Digital Volunteer Program Guide, and Social Media Plan Guide) in a PDF format as a resource for SMEM practitioners. The SMEM Guidance Tool builds on the existing DHS S&T SMEM Guides (linked below) and provides users with a more robust and user-friendly experience in creating planning materials for SMEM operations. Users can create a Social Media Business Case and Digital Volunteer Program with the tool. The feature for completing a Social Media Plan will be integrated by the end of 2019.
Visit the SMEM Guidance Tool at smemguidancetool.org
DHS S&T’s Social Media Guidance Planning Read More »
Barton Dunant has created a Reception Center/Shelter Table Top Exercise for government and non-government groups to use for planning for congregate care sheltering in the “new” normal of a Post-COVID-19 world. Things have changed dramatically in mass care, thanks to the pandemic. Many of the standard protocols for sheltering (including reception centers, warming/cooling centers, etc.) are no longer applicable or need significant modifications, along with additional staff training and equipment. COVID-19’s impacts on Sheltering, requires a re-analysis of POETE – Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training and Exercising. Once a jurisdiction re-evaluates its Planning and Organization of congregate care sheltering and identifies and implements additional equipment and training; it is highly prudent to make sure everyone (and everything) is on the same page by conducting a series of exercises – before the need for sheltering comes calling.
https://blog.bartondunant.com/exercise-template-store/covidrcsttx/
[Ad] Post-COVID-19 Reception Center/Shelter Table Top Exercise Read More »
Here is what we are reading in 2020:
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Barton Dunant is developing a series of workshops and exercises for the healthcare sector – on crisis communications. What does a Public Health Officer say about a Measles Outbreak, that is impacting multiple locations in their community? What does a hospital tell the public about a MRSA incident at their ER? How should a press release be worded from an assisted living care facility that had a Legionella outbreak?
Let us know what topic (or scenario) you would like to see developed into a workshop and/or exercise series (table top, functional, etc.).
Healthcare Crisis Communications Read More »
We think the world of Emergency Management has expanded almost exponentially – as it relates to the use of telecommunications devices both by the public to connect with Emergency Services; and also by emergency managers to connect to responders.
We’ve come a long way from the rotary phone days where 911 might have been your only option and you called your responders out on pagers. SmartPhone apps, text alerts and social media are just the tip of the iceberg and the upcoming FirstNet phone system dedicated to responders has the promise of interoperable communications – which started from the 9-11 Commission.
Let us know how your department or agency is leveraging telecommunications for both public information and responder accountability.
How Emergency Managers use telecommunications today Read More »