Risk and Crisis Communication Tools

General Resources

• Checklist: First 48 Hours (Source: CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Manual)
• Worksheet: Assembling Your Crisis Team (Source: New Jersey Department of Health, Risk Communication Toolkit for Public Health Departments)
• Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (Source: FEMA)

Lesson 1 - Communication Skills for Public Information Officers

•  Periodic Table for High Concern Communication (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  33 Item Risk and Crisis Communication Checklist (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
  
•  Message Template: Message Development for Emergency Communication (Source: CDC CERC Manual)

Lesson 2 - Crisis Communications: Top 10 Planning Checklist

•  Basic Information in a Media Communication Plan (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello and Randall Hyer)
•  Checklist: Needs Assessment for Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (Source: CDC CERC Manual)
•  Public Information Officer Position Checklist (Source: USDA)

Lesson 3 - The Role of the Joint Information Center (JIC)

•  JIC Staff Positions (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  NIMS Sample JIC for a Large Incident (Source: CDC CERC Manual)
•  Joint Information System (JIS) and Joint Information Center (JIC) (Source: FEMA Basic Guidance for PIOs)

Lesson 4 - Using Message Maps

•  Message Map Template (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Ebola Message Map Examples (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)

Lesson 5 - Working with the Media

•  77 Questions Commonly asked by Journalists during a Crisis (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Seven Steps to Effective Media Communication During Public Health Emergencies (Source: Randall Hyer and Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Principles and Techniques of Effective Media Communication (Source: Randall Hyer and Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Choosing the Spokesperson (Source: New Jersey Dept. of Health: Risk Communication Toolkit for Public Health Departments)

Lesson 6 - Writing a Press Release

•  How to Write a Press Release (Source: Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Preparing and Distributing a Press Release (Source: Randall Hyer and Dr. Vincent Covello)
•  Sample Press Release: Diabetes Control Program  (Source: CDC)
•  Sample Press Release: 2013 National Hurricane Preparedness Week (Source: FEMA)

Lesson 7 - Nonverbal Communication

•  Nonverbal Cues (Source: FEMA Effective Communication Independent Study)
•  Nonverbal Communication (Source: NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene: Communicating in a Health Emergency)

Lesson 8 - Using Social Media

•  Social Media Communications Strategy Worksheet (Source: CDC CERC Manual)
•  Verification Handbook: A Definitive Guide to Verifying Digital Content for Emergency Coverage (Source: European Journalism Centre)
•  Social Media Message Library (Source: Drexel University)

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