EMAN630 2021 July Complete Course Latest (Full)

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 1 Discussion

Below you will find a list of ten samples of Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) that were published or updated in the past few years, along with the web links to access those plans. They reflect a variety of jurisdictions (i.e., state, county, municipal, tribal, federal district) or entities (e.g., state university) and geographic areas.

Select one that is of interest to you. Review the EOP, focusing on the principles or elements of effective and complete EOPs discussed in your assigned readings this week, and also specifically on the element or Emergency Support Function (ESF) involving Communications.

Provide a brief assessment or evaluation of the overall EOP, and the Communications element in particular. Does the EOP and its section on Communications seem complete, straightforward and clear, or is anything missing or confusing? What are your other impressions of the EOP?

Please post your original response by Sunday night, May 23, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, May 25. Citations are encouraged in your original responses. Bring something new and/or updated into the conversation.

Also, don't forget to mention which plan you are referring to.

Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP)

St Louis County, MO (March 2018)

https://www.stlouisco.com/Portals/8/docs/document%20library/police/oem/2018%20BEOP.pdf

Jacksonville State University Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Jacksonville, AL (September 2018)

http://www.jsu.edu/police/docs/jsueop.pdf

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Washington County, Maine (May 12, 2016)

http://washingtoncountymaine.com/images/EOP2016.pdf

2017 State Emergency Operations Plan

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)

https://www.pema.pa.gov/Documents/CEOP%20JUNE%202017.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

https://www.va.gov/VHAEMERGENCYMANAGEMENT/Documents/Education_Training/EMPPHS_Lesson_Four_Handout.pdf

Karuk Tribe Emergency Operations Plan

Karuk Tribe, California (January 23, 2014)

http://www.karuk.us/images/docs/Emergency%20Prep/Karuk%20Tribe%20EOP%202013%20Final%20Signed.pdf

Baltimore County Emergency Operations Plan

Towson, MD (October 2011)

http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Emergency_Op/eop11.pdf

City of Seattle, WA

Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan—Emergency Operations Plan (Updated May 2015)

http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Emergency/PlansOEM/SDRRP/Final_EOP.pdf

Cleveland State University Emergency Operations Plan-Version 4.0 (Updated 2018)

https://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/CSU_EOP_4.0_Version.pdf

District of Columbia District Response Plan

Washington, D.C. (September 2015)

https://hsema.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/hsema/page_content/attachments/District%20Response%20Plan%202015.pdf

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 2 Discussion

Conduct brief research online to find an example of a disaster, emergency or critical incident involving either some government jurisdiction or agency (i.e., federal, state, local, tribal, territorial), or a private sector business or industry, or a nongovernmental organization such as a nonprofit, volunteer, or faith-based organization, from the past 50 years or so, where public relations or a PIO played a significant role in that event--either positive, or negative.

In your original response, briefly describe:

the incident and its impacts;

what the major public relations issues or challenges were;

who served as the PIO, spokesperson or public "face" for the affected jurisdiction, agency, or company;

which (if any) basic principles or concepts involving public relations or the roles of PIOs seemed evident, or lacking;

whether the public relations/crisis communications could be deemed successful, or a failure, and why.

It's fine if you also include a URL to a relevant website or YouTube video regarding the incident or public relations issues you discussed.

To allow you some extra time to catch up in light of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, please post your original response by Tuesday night, June 1, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Wednesday night, June 2, which overlaps with the first day of Session/Week 3.

 

 

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 3 Discussion

Identify an example of a relatively recent disaster or emergency incident in which public warnings were disseminated and emergency protective measures such as shelter in place or evacuations were ordered or recommended. This might involve hurricanes, floods, chemical or nuclear plant incidents, wildfires, or some other hazard in the U.S. or overseas. (Note: Hurricane Katrina is off the table, as this has been done too often).

Briefly describe the incident and the type of emergency protective measures implemented. Then, assess whether the public warnings and emergency protective measures seemed appropriate and effective under the circumstances, or if they were flawed in terms of timing, clarity, or execution.

Please post your original response by this Sunday night, June 6, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, June 8.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 4 Discussion

Are there ever situations where emergency managers should withhold information from the media or public, or even from other audiences? If so, describe those circumstances, and provide examples of what information can or should be withheld, and for how long. What are the potential risks or consequences of withholding information? Are there vital facts that must always be disseminated immediately and never withheld?

Please post your original response by Sunday night, June 13, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, June 15.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 5 Discussion

Identify an emergency or disaster incident in which crisis or risk communications, public information or warnings were evident or prominent in at least two or more of the four phases of emergency management--mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Briefly describe how the focus, challenges or issues shifted or evolved for crisis communications and the PIO/PAO from one phase to another.

Please post your original response by Sunday night, June 20, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, June 22.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 7 Discussion

Find a video from an agency or media website, YouTube, or other good source, of a formal press conference or news briefing regarding an emergency, disaster or crisis situation or event. This should be something substantive, and not simply a 5-second "soundbite" from a "talking head" interview on the 6 o'clock TV news. Preferably, this would involve some incident or event different than you personally examined for one of our earlier discussion forums (it's OK if someone else discussed that event). 

The officials giving the press conference or briefing may represent federal, state, local or tribal government, an NGO or volunteer organization, a major hospital, a school, or an academic institution. There may be a single PIO or spokesperson, or several officials involved in the briefing (e.g., the mayor or governor, police chief or FBI agent, fire chief, emergency manager, etc.).

Considering the issues, challenges, tips, and guidelines for media dynamics covered in this session, provide a concise assessment or evaluation of that press conference or briefing. Be sure to identify several elements, aspects, or comments that were especially effective or "good," and some that were not. Can you glean any best practices or lessons to be learned from this press conference or briefing about dealing with the media? Please also post the URL where you found the video so others can review it if they wish.

To give a little extra time to catch up in light of the Independence Day Holiday weekend, please post your original response by Monday night, July 5, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Wednesday night, July 7, which overlaps with the first day of Session/Week 8.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 8 Discussion

Please post your original responses to at least one, but preferably more, of the following questions by Sunday night, July 11, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, July 13.  Also, please start separate threads for your original response to each question you select.

What purpose does the emergency communication division serve within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)? Although there are many programs/services, give me an example of an event where the Wireless Priority Service (WPS) was utilized, and the purpose of it.

What is the purpose of the Shared Resources (Shares) High Frequency (HF) Radio Program? Is it a viable program that will benefit critical functions, such as law enforcement financial institutions, and public health? What are the pros and cons of this program?

Joint Information Systems (JIS) are a part of the Joint Information Center (JIC) where all information gathers and is disseminated in an orderly, timely, and accurately fashion.   More often than not there is a single JIC but when the geographic area in need is widespread multiple JICs can operate.   There will always be one main physical incident JIC with multiple virtual JICs if needed. Find an incident that had multiple JICs (could be all physical or a mix of physical, virtual, satellite, etc). What was the incident that led to multiple JICs? What went right and what didn't? What could have gone better? Who was in charge? Who had the final release authority for the PIO?

"The NECP provides guidance to those that plan for, coordinate, maintain, invest in, and use communications to support public safety operations."  This community is called an ecosystem.  These people exchange information prior to, during, and after an event.  This community includes the traditional emergency responder field but also includes anyone who would be involved- this is a part of the whole community approach.  Pick a state to see if they have a Statewide Interoperability Coordinator.  Some do and some don't due to resource limits.  Locate an event where the technology and communications systems used were lacking.  Describe what they did have and what they should have had instead or in addition to.   If this community of emergency responders did not have the appropriate equipment find out if they let the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) come and help with their free trainings and assistance.  The NECP's vision is to be able to have everyone share information in real time securely.  Their plan is improve communication nationwide for emergencies.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 9 Discussion

Please post your original response to at least one, but preferably more, of the following questions by Sunday night, July 18, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, July 20.  Also, please start separate threads for your original response to each question you select.  

NIMS has an outline of management characteristics (as outlined in slide 25 of the reading).  Two of those characteristics are; #3 Manageable span of control and #6 Chain of Command and Unity of command.  You are tasked to explain how Communications can become a problem with an extensive span of control or when the chain of command is broken or there is no unity of command.

Under ICS there are five identified functional areas; Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, And Finance/Administration.  Command Area is the four positions in the Command Staff of IC, PIO, Safety Officer and Liaison Officer.  The other four areas are the General Staff Sections.   Some ICS models incorporate an additional (sixth) area known as Intelligence/Investigations.  I/I can be essential in vetting information and making intelligence actionable.  The I/I can be integrated into the ICS model at various levels. It can be an addition to the four Command Staff positions, an addition to the four General Staff sections as the fifth section, or be absorbed in either the Operations or Planning Section.  Where would you integrate the I/I section to address Key Communications problems and why?

FEMA developed the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to receive and verify alerts, then route them for transmission over multiple digital media to designated locations.  What components are included in IPAWS? At what governmental level is IPAWs performing on (local, state, or federal) , and was that the intended performance level?

The Emergency Alert System, formerly the Emergency Broadcast System, sends emergency messages using radio and television.  What are the requirements for participation in the EAS program? Are States mandated to participate? Is there a common plan for the functionality of the EAS?  Who is responsible for direct governance over the system?

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 10 Discussion

Please post your original responses to at least one, but preferably more, of the following questions by Sunday night, July 25, and replies to at least two other members of the class by Tuesday night, July 27. Also, please start separate threads for your original response to each question you select. 

1. Practice Drills can deliver an opportunity to discover an Office of Emergency Management preparedness, but the utility of these drills depends on having reliable measures to determine the effectiveness of the exercise.  The professionalism of the participants in the training and the facilitators who control activity are both factors in how much information can be developed.  What are the best ways to measure inter-agency communication and communication between the three levels of government, local state, and federal levels after the drill to improve on communication during an actual incident?

2. Tabletop exercises have five aspects of planning, design, conduct, follow-up, and continuous improvement.  What are the key elements to a continuous improvement plan?

3. What is the importance of drills and exercises for testing and validating the communication component of EOPs?  Describe an organization that engaged in testing their communications plans using a drill or exercise.  Or describe an organization that failed to drill and exercise and could have benefited from testing.

4. There are discussion and operational based exercises.  What are the different types of exercises, and how can communication systems be tested during the training? 

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Week 11 Discussion

What do you think are the most significant challenges, but also the potential benefits, of social media for PIOs and emergency managers in emergency management and crisis communications? Find and describe an example of an actual disaster or crisis incident in which social media had a major impact, whether good or bad. What is your assessment of how the organization, official or jurisdiction handled, used, or responded to social media in that event?

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Assignment - Technical Presentation

The overall purpose of the Technical Presentation is to give each student an opportunity to thoroughly study, research, and present a concept, product or a service related to the course, with the overall objective of education for yourself and others in your class.

You should prepare a technical presentation using PowerPoint, Google Docs, Prezi or a similar program (no separate write up required, but you may use the notes feature of PowerPoint) for your presentation. You will be expected to prepare any supplemental material or attachments necessary to make your presentation understandable. Refer to the Technical Presentation Guidelines, Expectations and Grading Rubrics document under the Course Content area of the course in LEO.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Assignment - Research Paper

Prepare an article length research paper on a topic relating to crisis communications and emergency management. Your topic proposal is subject to instructor approval. The length for the body of the paper should be approximately 12-15 pages double-spaced (approximately 250-300 words per page, for a total of about 3,000-5,000 words), not including the Title Page (with Statement of authorship), Table of Contents, Abstract, Tables, Appendixes (if any), and References. Refer to the Research Paper Guidelines, Expectations and Grading Rubrics document under the Course Content area of the course in LEO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Assignment - Mid-Term Essay Exams

You will be required to complete and submit two open-book essay exams during the semester: a Midterm Essay Exam, and a Final Essay Exam. One week has been set aside at the mid-term point  during Week 6 to complete the Midterm Essay Exam, covering Weeks 1-5. Week 12 will serve as Finals Week, and be devoted to completion of the Final Essay Exam, covering Weeks 7-11. These are open-book exams, but they must be completed as individual assignments, and not as team or group assignments.

Each of the essay exams will consist of ten questions—two relating to each weekly session covered in that half of the course. You will be expected to select and respond to a total of five questions on each exam—one question pertaining to each of the five sessions covered.

A recommended overall length for your responses to each exam would be approximately 8-10 pages (i.e., a minimum of one page per question), and may be either double or single-spaced. Each completed exam must be submitted as a MS Word doc into your Assignments folder by the following deadlines:

Your score on each exam will comprise 15% of your final overall grade. I will provide you with specific, constructive feedback along with a numerical percentage score for each exam.

Refer to the Essay Exams Guidelines, Expectations and Grading Rubrics document under the Course Content area of the course in LEO.

 

EMAN630 Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

Assignment - Final Essay Exams

Distinguished v. Proficient Performance Requirements

Quality academic work demands commitment and dedication to learning and excellence. It also requires students to go above and beyond the MINIMUM required elements of the course.

A PROFICIENT performance score reflects work that meets the minimum requirements as described in the course discussions or assignments. Meeting the minimum requirements will be graded as average performance.

A DISTINGUISHED performance score reflects work that exceeds the minimum requirements as described in the course discussions or assignments. Exceeding the minimum requirements will be graded as a higher level of performance.

Student performance will be graded through established rubrics defining the criteria for the different levels of performance. The established rubrics will contain evaluative criteria, definitions for those criteria at particular levels of achievement, and a scoring policy for discussions, writing assignments, and peer reviews.