EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCE GUIDE

for Communications in Orange County, N.C.

This guide was developed by the Communicators Work Group, consisting of professionals from various agencies in Orange County, N.C., who routinely communicate information related to public safety and health, utilities and services, government and education. We communicate information that matters. During crises or emergencies, we are responsible for distributing reliable information quickly, efficiently and accurately. In some instances, our service areas intersect so that we are telling (parts of) the same story at the same time. Our messages should be consistent and helpful to the public. Generally, we comprise the following agencies:

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public Schools Duke Energy Town of Carrboro Town of Chapel Hill Town of Hillsborough

Orange County Orange Co. American Red Cross Orange County Public Schools OWASA UNC-Chapel Hill

Our Goals

• To serve the public by providing the most accurate and timely information in emergencies.
• To treat all media fairly and equally.
• To share resources and ideas, to collaborate
• To follow up after events to evaluate our effectiveness.
• To update our resources with two meetings held in May and October.
• To explore new and improved communication technologies that may be shared.

Agreement for Emergency or Urgent Communications

• Emergencies vary in nature, scope and severity. When our messages overlap, we will make an effort to inform and coordinate with each other. Our communications methods continue as dictated by our agency protocols.
• Each agency will share its information with others as needed, normally by e-mail as the fastest and most accurate method. When in doubt, we share information.
• Individual independent agencies are responsible for the timing, verification and content of information sent to the public. No agency should distribute information that is outside its area.
• For some events, many public agencies will adopt the practices outlined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System. This system designates an Incident Commander. Depending upon the size and type of incident, the Incident Commander may designate a Public Information Officer. Members of this group will be available to the extent practical to assist that designee.
• We share our resources when warranted to the best of our agency’s ability.

Resources in this Guide

Shared Emergency Message Emergency Communications Action Plan Emergency Communications Resources

Area Media List Communicators Work Group Contacts

Updated: December 2006 (8 pages)