Emergency Information Management

Crisis communication, in its wide variety of forms, remains a critical element to our success in all five phases of Emergency Management - Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Each of these phases presents both unique and connected styles, mediums, and messaging within the Incident Management System. In this course, students will gain an understanding of the components of a crisis communications plan and develop the operational skills to support the crisis communications plan, focusing on the effects of the information process on the required decision-making in both the planning of and operational response to critical incidents. Students will gain an understanding of how the media operates in a crisis, how to proactively work with the media during a crisis, and how to work through the media to reach all key audiences and stakeholders. Finally, students will engage in a series of assignments, both individually and in a group setting, that will require them to complete a series of messaging reports, applying knowledge of these principles, and applying considerations on how best to approach the crisis communication planning process.