Robert GlennChief of Public AffairsOhio Emergency Management Agency

HOMELANDHOMELANDSECURITYSECURITY

HOMELANDHOMELANDSECURITYSECURITY

Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

U.S. GovernmentU.S. Government U.S. GovernmentU.S. Government

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs

Dept. of The

Treasury

Dept. of The

Treasury

Department of

Transportation

Department of

Transportation

Dept. of State

Dept. of State

Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Housing &Urban

Development

Housing &Urban

Development

Dept. of The

Interior

Dept. of The

Interior

Dept. of Justice

Dept. of Justice

Homeland Security

Homeland Security

Dept. ofLabor

Dept. ofLabor

Dept. of DefenseDept. of Defense

Dept. of EducationDept. of

EducationDept. of EnergyDept. of Energy

Dept. of Agriculture

Dept. of Agriculture

Dept. of Commerc

e

Dept. of Commerc

e

PresidentVice President

Executive Office

PresidentVice President

Executive Office

Secretary-------------------

--Deputy

SecretaryState and Local Coordination

Special Assistant to the SecretaryNational Capital

Region Coordination

Shared Services

Legislative Affairs

Public Affairs

Executive Secretary

Department of Homeland Department of Homeland SecuritySecurity

Department of Homeland Department of Homeland SecuritySecurity

Civil Rights & Liberties

Director of the Secret Service

InternationalAffairs

Counter Narcotics

Inspector General

General Counsel

Commandant of Coast Guard

Under Secretary

Management

Under SecretaryScience and Technology

Under Secretary Information Analysis and

Infrastructure Protection

Under SecretaryBorder &

Transportation Security

Under Secretary Emergency

Preparedness and Response

Chief of Staff

Small & Disadvantage

d Business

Privacy Officer

Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration

Services

Citizenship & Immigration

ServiceOmbudsman

State of Ohio Security Task State of Ohio Security Task ForceForce

State of Ohio Security Task State of Ohio Security Task ForceForce

Bureau of Motor

Vehicles

Bureau of Motor

Vehicles

Investigative Unit

Investigative Unit

EmergencyMedicalServices

EmergencyMedicalServices

Administration

Administration

Emergency Managemen

t Agency

Emergency Managemen

t Agency

State Highway

Patrol

State Highway

Patrol

DirectorDirector

Homeland Security

Homeland Security

Assistant Director

Assistant Director

Ohio Dept. of Public SafetyOhio Dept. of Public Safety Ohio Dept. of Public SafetyOhio Dept. of Public Safety

PlanningPlanningPlanningPlanning

To achieve a goal, you need a plan.

Like building a house…

Like a budget for retirement…

Like winning a war.

Planning DevelopmentPlanning DevelopmentPlanning DevelopmentPlanning Development

Pre-9/11: Federal Response Plan

Incident Command System

Now: Presidential Homeland Security Directive – 5

National Response Plan

National Incident Management System

Emergency Support Function - 15

Ohio Homeland Security Strategic Ohio Homeland Security Strategic PlanPlan Ohio Homeland Security Strategic Ohio Homeland Security Strategic PlanPlan

Table of ContentsLetter from GovernorState of Ohio Security Task Force

Mission StatementVision StatementStrategic GoalsCore Values

Executive Summary Introduction

Strategy for Homeland SecurityPlanning ProcessRoles and Responsibilities

Critical Mission AreasDetection and PreventionProtection of Critical Infrastructure and Key AssetsDefending Against Catastrophic ThreatsInformation Sharing and SystemsDomestic Preparedness and ResponseContinuity of OperationsVolunteer Services

Crisis CommunicationsLegal and LegislativeConclusionAppendices

Summary of RecommendationsGlossaryReferencesPoints of Contact

The purpose of Crisis or Emergency Communication is to convince the public to act on your message.

Tell it all, tell it fast and tell the truth.

JOINT Information System

Facilitates efficient, coordinated preparation and dissemination of information to the public to save lives, protect property and preserve overall public safety.

Crisis CommunicationsCrisis CommunicationsCrisis CommunicationsCrisis Communications

Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan

PURPOSEAt all levels, the purpose of the State of Ohio Homeland Security Crisis Communications Plan is to:

Educate the public regarding actions taken to protect Ohioans’ safety, security and way of life before, during and after and event;

Induce confidence by educating Ohioans about of taking care of themselves and/or their families through recommended protective measures;

Effectively communicate the coordinated actions of local, state and federal resources and explain how these integrate effectively, responsibly and innovatively;

Ensure the State of Ohio speaks with a consistent voice when discussing preparedness, response and recovery efforts during crisis;

Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan

PURPOSE (cont.)

Reinforce the public’s trust in the State of Ohio;

Activate the Joint Information System when appropriate;

Protect its reputation for integrity and institutional responsibility;

Minimize the chances of costly and embarrassing litigation;

Return the State to a non-crisis communications mode as quickly as practicable;

Release accurate and complete information as soon as it becomes available and can be released without detrimental effect on efforts to alleviate the crisis; and

Counteract the effects of rumor and inaccurate information.

Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan

STRATEGIC GOALS

Develop (Review and Revise) the Crisis Communications Plan;

Develop partnerships for outreach and coordinated public information efforts;

Develop clearly defined policies and procedures for information approval and release authority;

Develop plans for a Joint Information Center (JIC) to coordinate public information during a high-profile news event such as a terrorist attack on Ohio;

Develop pre-scripted messages designed for rapid dissemination through the media to inform, reassure, and protect the public;

Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications Plan

STRATEGIC GOALS (cont.)

Translate the homeland security advisory system into operational use;

Develop plans to deals with citizens with special needs; and

Develop and implement exercise and training programs for crisis communications efforts.

Planning Crisis CommunicationsPlanning Crisis Communications Planning Crisis CommunicationsPlanning Crisis Communications

Considerations

Every incident affects everywhere.

Public affairs has never been more important. We are operators.

“Is it terrorism. What are you doing about it? Who’s to blame?”

Balance speed and accuracy.

Importance of interagency management and cooperation.

Consistency is essential to maintaining public confidence.

Importance of scientific and medical expertise.

Planning Crisis CommunicationsPlanning Crisis Communications Planning Crisis CommunicationsPlanning Crisis Communications

Look at the Process

Who talks – first?

Where will you stage the media in relation to the incident?

Who is in charge?

Who is coordinating?

What are your assets to support a large, continued operation?

Can your boss face the press?

Do you have depth for round the clock operations?

If the worst happened today, could we accomplish the mission?

“Get off the beach!”

Don’t wait to begin• planning• forging good relationships• communicating

ConclusionConclusion ConclusionConclusion

Purpose is to provide the public, legislature, news media and other stakeholders necessary information related to the safety, security and capable response of coordinated State of Ohio resources and information during an emergency such as a terrorist attack that will generate a significant amount of immediate media coverage.

The plan ensures Ohio transmits consistent messages to various audiences and focuses a strong effort to educate and inform these audiences with messages that help them comprehend the State’s measures taken to respond to, recover, and prepare for future events.

In accordance with similar plans set forth in the State of Ohio Homeland Security Strategic Plan, this crisis communications plan will be examined and updated at regularly set intervals.

Questions?Questions?

Robert Glenn

Chief of Public AffairsOhio Emergency Management

Agencyphone: (614) 799-3695rglenn@dps.state.oh.us

Ohio Homeland SecurityOhio Dept. of Public Safety

1970 W. Broad St.Columbus, OH 43223

phone: (614) 387-6171fax: (614) 752-2419

www.homelandsecurity.ohio.gov