PUBLIC INFORMATION

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION

ALEXANDER COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2011

(Local media outlets)

I.	PURPOSE
	This Annex presents a plan of action to provide prompt, authoritative and understandable emergency information to the public for natural and technological emergencies and disasters.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	The County is vulnerable to a variety of hazards. Media outlets exist which, if effectively employed, can be used to inform the population of the events that are occurring and how may best respond to them.
		2.	The County is served by the news media outlets listed in Appendix 1.
		3.	During periods of emergency, the public needs and generally desires detailed information regarding protective action to be taken for minimizing loss of life and property. There are times, however, when disaster strikes without warning and the public information system cannot react rapidly enough to properly inform the public about the hazard. For this reason, it is important that prior to the occurrence of an emergency the public is made aware of potential hazards and the protective measures that can be employed.
		4.	The public may accept as valid rumors, hearsay and half-truth information which may cause unnecessary fear and confusion.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Local print and broadcast media will cooperate in broadcasting and publishing detailed disaster-related instructions to the public.
		2.	Depending on the severity of the emergency, telephone communication may be disrupted. Local and regional radio/television stations without emergency power may also be off the air. If this occurs, public address systems and door-to-door sweeps may be initiated.
		3.	Demand for information may be very heavy; therefore, sufficient staff will be provided and trained.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	General
		1.	Emergency Public Information (EPI) efforts will focus on specific, event-related information.
		2.	This information generally will be of an instructional nature focusing on such things as warning, evacuation and shelter. It also is important to keep the public informed of the general progress of events. A special effort will be made to report the facts as accurately as possible and provide advice concerning necessary protective actions. Rumor control will be a major aspect of the information program and will operate from the EOC.
	B.	Execution
		1.	Ongoing public education programs will be conducted to increase public awareness of potential hazards and necessary responses.
		2.	The County Public Information Officer (PIO) will coordinate with County media to provide information and education programs relating to Emergency Management.
		3.	EPI documents for major hazards will be prepared and maintained during normal periods of readiness. When evacuation is imminent, public information will expand its capabilities to answer public inquiries and prepare new or modified public announcements.
		4.	For the attack hazard, information about the relocation will distribute to the population via the print and electronic media. EPI maps and instructions also will be used on TV and radio. A camera-ready EPI is on file at the Office of Emergency Management.
IV.	ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES
	A.	Organization
		1.	The Public Information Officer (PIO) is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners.
		2.	The County will establish an emergency information center at the EOC as a point of contact for the media during an emergency and provide necessary staff and equipment to support its operation.
		3.	The organizational chart for public information is contained in an appendix entitled Public Information Organizational Structure.
	B.	Responsibilities
		1.	Emergency Management Coordinator
			a.	Develop and maintain a public information and education program.
			b.	Establish and maintain a working relationship with the media.
			c.	Ensure the implementation of all public information activities.
			d.	Direct and assist the PIO in disseminating public information during emergencies.
		2.	Public Information Officer
			a.	Prepare an Annex and SOP's for the coordination of public information during emergencies.
			b.	Prepare and maintain a current internal notification/recall roster of staff to man the EOC Media Center.
			c.	Maintain working relationships with the media and a current list of radio stations, television stations and newspapers to be used for public information releases.
			d.	Establish procedures for the flow of information to the public in a disaster, which shall include the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS).
			e.	Prepare written statements of agreement with the media to provide for dissemination of essential emergency information and warning to the public, including the appropriate protective actions to be taken.
			f.	Arrange points of contact for releases of public information in an emergency and for briefings to media representatives when appropriate.
			g.	Assist in the preparation and review of Emergency Public Information (EPI) Materials for all hazards affecting the County.
			h.	Report to the EOC upon activation and coordinate the release of disaster related information with local agencies and State and Federal governments.
			i.	Provide rumor control and publicize the telephone number of a rumor control line where official disaster information can be obtained by the public. Reference APPENDIX 3, ATTACHMENT 6, RUMOR CONTROL
			j.	Clear information with the chief executive before release to the media.
			k.	Prepare and distribute pre-scripted EPI materials to the media (newspaper, radio, and television, etc).
			l.	Ensure that EPI materials for visually impaired and non-English speaking groups are disseminated.
			m.	Ensure that all sources of information being received are authenticated and verified for accuracy.
			n.	Assist in handling inquiries and informing families about places of contact for missing relatives, continued emergency services, restricted areas, etc.
			o.	Prepare and release announcements urging residents to share homes with evacuees when appropriate.
V.	DIRECTION AND CONTROL
	A.	General – The Public Information Officer is responsible for all news releases and public information disseminated at the County Level. In times of emergency the PIO will operate from the EOC if appropriate.
	B.	Educational and Public Information Programs – The PIO will provide the media with information on new developments affecting Emergency Management. The PIO also will utilize other types of information and programs on Emergency Management such as delivering lectures or presentations, organizing tours of the EOC, distributing education brochures and showing films.
VI.	CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
	The line of succession is:
		1.	Public Information Officer
		2.	County Manager
		3.	Emergency Management Coordinator
VII.	ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
	A.	Media organizations – A list of media organizations involved in local Emergency Management programs can be found in Appendix 1, Media Outlets.
	B.	Films and Publications – Films, videos and publications dealing with various aspects of Emergency Management are available from various sources including the local, area and State Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
	C.	Pre-scripted news releases for natural and technological hazards may be prepared by the Public Information Officer.
	D.	Accounting procedures to recover costs incurred for emergency operations will established by the County Finance Officer.
VIII.	PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
	A.	The Public Information Officer will develop and maintain PIO programs to support this plan.
	B.	This Annex will be reviewed on an annual basis.
IX.	AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
	A.	N.C. General Statutes, 166A
	B.	Alexander County Emergency Management Ordinance

APPENDIX 1

MEDIA OUTLETS

NEWSPAPER

Taylorsville Times		Taylorsville, NC
Hickory Daily Record		Hickory, NC
Statesville Record and Landmark		Statesville, NC
Charlotte Observer		Charlotte, NC
RADIO

WFMX (FM)	1117 Radio Road	Statesville, NC 28677	704-872-6348
WSIC (AM)	1117 Radio Road	Statesville, NC 28677	704-872-6345
WIST	212 Signal Hill Drive	Statesville, NC 28677	704-872-0956
WBT / WBCY	1 Julian Price Place	Charlotte, NC 28208	704-374-3834
TELEVISION

WBTV	1 Julian Price Place	Charlotte, NC 28208
WCNC - TV	1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr.	Charlotte, NC 28218	704-329-3600
WSOC-TV	P. O. Box 34665	Charlotte, NC 28234	704-338-9762