Emergency service workers and emergency planners focus on the hard facts. What are the hazards and risks, how do we prevent or mitigate them, what is the response plan, implementing command and control, dealing with victims and the displaced, implementing a recovery plan and so on.
But sometimes the best planning comes from sitting back and allowing you mind to wander. Our brains have an amazing ability to gather facts, recover information stored long ago, and come up with creative solutions.
A friend has sent me the following link; a very interesting read about the creative benefits Day Dreaming.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/08/31/daydream_achiever/?page=1
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Gordon Lightfoot Dead???
Would the media always ensure they were publishing accurate and confirmed information on your organization? We all hope so, but if they don't do you have a plan?
Gordon Lightfoot learned of his death this past week while listening to the radio in his car. One of his first concerns was that his daughter, who was at school, would hear of his death.
A reporter for a national media chain received a "twitter" and immediately sent out his own twitter and published a story on the media website advising of Gordon Lightfoot's death. Within minutes media outlets were circulating the story.
One of the purposes of a crisis communications plan and strategy is to assist in correcting inaccuracies.
Gordon Lightfoot's correction plan was pretty simple, call the radio station and do an impromptu interview. Unfortunately it is not always that straight forward.
But the lesson is clear, you may need to use your crisis communications plan even when you do not have a real crisis.
Gordon Lightfoot learned of his death this past week while listening to the radio in his car. One of his first concerns was that his daughter, who was at school, would hear of his death.
A reporter for a national media chain received a "twitter" and immediately sent out his own twitter and published a story on the media website advising of Gordon Lightfoot's death. Within minutes media outlets were circulating the story.
One of the purposes of a crisis communications plan and strategy is to assist in correcting inaccuracies.
Gordon Lightfoot's correction plan was pretty simple, call the radio station and do an impromptu interview. Unfortunately it is not always that straight forward.
But the lesson is clear, you may need to use your crisis communications plan even when you do not have a real crisis.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Getting the Message Out!
Drinking and driving kills, maims and changes lives forever.
In my 28 years in emergency services I have been at far to many collisions caused by impaired drivers resulting in deaths, permanent injuries and never ending pain for family members. We must continue to educate youth, stop friends / family from driving while impaired, and call the police when we see an impaired driver.
In my 28 years in emergency services I have been at far to many collisions caused by impaired drivers resulting in deaths, permanent injuries and never ending pain for family members. We must continue to educate youth, stop friends / family from driving while impaired, and call the police when we see an impaired driver.
Impaired driving is a crime! It is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.
Attached is a link to a very dramatic public education video from Australia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8
Attached is a link to a very dramatic public education video from Australia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8
And here is a link from a documentary that we were able to have a small part in assisting - After The Crash. This documentary follow ups on the impacts of actual crashes caused by impaired driving.
http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=237&rid=23&mid=52&gid=54041#89_168_3321
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Crisis Communications & Toyota
We have long been focused on ensuring our clients have a crisis communications strategy. With Terry Blace, former media manager for the OPP, joining our team we brought in top notch expertise to assist our clients.
We can often look at examples in the current spotlight for lessons to be learned.
Newsweek has published an interesting article called "Toyota's Digital Disaster", a look at how the Internet, social media etc. has impacted Toyota's challenge in addressing their communications crisis.
The subtitle is "In the Google era, how do you manage a product recall and a public-relations fiasco? Don't do what Toyota's done."
The article can be read at http://www.newsweek.com/id/232962/page/1
While your organization may not have a world wide recall of products you still should be prepared with a crisis communications strategy for issues that may impact your public support in your community and with your stakeholders.
We can often look at examples in the current spotlight for lessons to be learned.
Newsweek has published an interesting article called "Toyota's Digital Disaster", a look at how the Internet, social media etc. has impacted Toyota's challenge in addressing their communications crisis.
The subtitle is "In the Google era, how do you manage a product recall and a public-relations fiasco? Don't do what Toyota's done."
The article can be read at http://www.newsweek.com/id/232962/page/1
While your organization may not have a world wide recall of products you still should be prepared with a crisis communications strategy for issues that may impact your public support in your community and with your stakeholders.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Industrial Safety Trainers
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Randy and Cathy Dignard of Industrial Safety Trainers on having their company selected by the Ministry of Labour to make an announcement about a provincial safety blitz.
Labour Minister Peter Fonseca attended the Industrial Safety Trainers offices and training facility in Barrie to reaffirm the province's commitment to reducing workplace injuries and deaths. Several television, newspaper and trade magazines had reporters at Industrial Safety Trainers while Minister Fonseca made his speech, showed an new public awareness video, and toured the Industrial Safety Trainers "Safety Bus" (a mobile class room).
Industrial Safety Trainers with a team of 15 serves more than 5,000 client organizations (including Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire) and has trained tens of thousands of workers.
Randy and Cathy have been business role models and examples for Darryl Culley in building Emergency Management and Training. Darryl frequently applies Randy's advice and examples in marketing and other business issues.
Having the Ministry of Labour make an announcement at your business is a huge recognition of the respect that Industrial Safety Trainers has in their field.
Congratulations to Randy, Cathy and the team at Industrial Safety Trainers.
For more information on workplace safety training go to: http://www.thesafetybus.com/
Social Media and Disaster Response
New technologies and social media are providing for more rapid and unfiltered communications from the earthquake ravished Haiti.
USA Today has published an article that examines one way in which Twitter and other social medias have changed the way disasters are responded to.
"WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department has joined the social-media movement and for the first time is reading Twitter posts, blogs and Internet forums to learn instantly about conditions in Haiti and send alerts to government agencies in the country.
The department's Haiti Social Media Disaster Monitoring Initiative is designed to get information more quickly to people involved in recovery efforts by tracking up to 60 Internet sites including Google Blog Search, The Huffington Post and Twitter, according to a department report."
Read the full story at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-02-01-haiti-monitor-social-media_N.htm
USA Today has published an article that examines one way in which Twitter and other social medias have changed the way disasters are responded to.
"WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department has joined the social-media movement and for the first time is reading Twitter posts, blogs and Internet forums to learn instantly about conditions in Haiti and send alerts to government agencies in the country.
The department's Haiti Social Media Disaster Monitoring Initiative is designed to get information more quickly to people involved in recovery efforts by tracking up to 60 Internet sites including Google Blog Search, The Huffington Post and Twitter, according to a department report."
Read the full story at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-02-01-haiti-monitor-social-media_N.htm
Live Call-In Television
It was an honor to be a guest on the Rogers TV live call-in show Talk Local to discuss the earthquake in Haiti. Lucy Purdy is a talented host, and it was great to have a friend, Peter McGuinniss, Regional Disaster Coordinator (Simcoe / Muskoka) of the Canada Red Cross on the show. He is a wealth of knowledge and a very dedicated volunteer with the Red Cross. It is volunteers like Peter who make the Red Cross such an effective (and cost efficient) organization.
The work in Haiti to bring relief continues and there is still a need for donations - http://www.redcross.ca/
Thank you for your generosity and out pouring of support for the people of Haiti.
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