Welcome to CARD's Online Guide for

AGENCY EMERGENCY PLANNING

L. Communication

Make sure you can communicate with staff, clients, funders and your community

Your Name:

Your Agency:

Establishing when to communicate your message(s) is vital - think through the following considerations before putting out your message.

WHAT should you communicate?

	Agency Operational Status reports
	Damage assessment
	Services offered or changed
	Funds needed
	Volunteers needed
	Other:
	Other:
	Other:

Notes:

TO WHOM are you communicating?

	Disaster services partners
	Staff and volunteers
	Clients
	Funders
	Media
	General public
	Other:	Notes:   WHO should communicate the message? Ensure they have proper training Ensure they have proper authority Ensure they share consistent message Other: Notes:   HOW should you communicate? Electronic Paper Verbal Combination Other: Notes:   WHAT can you prepare in advance? Agency talking points/key messages Disaster/Emergency response press release Emergency related funding solicitation Email, phone, pager, cell phone and fax lists Other: Notes: Make sure you know all the communication tools available to you. Mastering how you send and receive information will help you in both crisis and opportunity. A variety of options is the key to maintaining communication. Establish regular times for your communication. Disaster Communication Tools There are many communication tools we don't normally consider that may become useful if a disaster cuts off your normal channels. Which of these tools do you have access to if you need it? Have Tool Notes Bulletin Board/White Board Carbon Paper / NCR paper CB Radios Cell Phones Digital Telephones Drums Flag Pole Ham Radios Megaphones / Bullhorns Pagers Palm Pilots / Blackberries POTS Telephones Public Signage Other: Other: Other:   Community Outreach Options What are all the different ways you can speak to your community? Different method have different advantages, and may help you reach people you had not reached before. Have Tool Notes American Sign Language (ASL) Computers : DSL or dial-up Door-to-door canvassing or home visits E-mail and listserves Fact Sheets or FAQs Fax Machines/WinFax Information Phone lines (such as 800 numbers) In-person events, workshops or classes Language Translators Mailing lists: brochures, fliers Radio Television Video / cassette tape / CD-ROM / DVD Websites Other: Other: Other:   Notes: [Notes on your communication plans and resources]