7 - FEMA and Press Releases - Michael Newland

 Reference:

Murphree, V., Reber, B., & Blevens, F. (2009). Superhero, Instructor, Optimist: FEMA and the Frames of Disaster in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Journal of Public Relations Research, Vol. 21 Issue 3, Pg. 273-294.

Theme:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released several press releases before and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in 2005. They provided useful hurricane information and emphasized optimism but ignored social, political, and cultural issues that damaged FEMAS image.

Summary:

·         In the days preceeding and weeks following these storms, FEMA produced more than 600 press releases.

·         The study in this article examined the content of these releases and demonstrates that FEMA consistently framed messages in an optimistic manner and generally did not acknowledge the critical events surrounding the hurricanes.

·         The releases were generally helpful but they did avoid the criticism surrounding FEMA in the fall of 2005. The releases suggest misplaced priorities that help solidify the fact that FEMA failed to prepare “the nation for all hazards” and initiate “mitigation activities.”

·         ON August 26, 2005 there was a release that urged New yorkers to purchase flood insurance. This suggests that FEMA priorities were misplaced. Examples like this apeared throughout the study, and provide an important and recorded narrative of FEMA’s organizational approach.

·         FEMA’s press releases strongly suggest that FEMA avoided taking responsibility for the inadequate response to the hurricanes.

·         The relief efforts during Hurricane Katrina were very slow. When Hurricane Rita was looming in press releases FEMA promised to do a better job. Evacuation efforts ended up creating mayhem and further hurt FEMA’s image.

·         FEMA press release writers generally ignored the controversy surrounding the organization in the wake of the storms. Instead they repeatedly announced its generosity and presented a paternalist view toward the victims in the releases.

Application to the Lesson Topic:

Press releases are an important part of any type of emergency especially during large scale natural disasters. The public wants and needs to get as much information as possible in order to protect themselves and their families.

Application to Emergency Services:

Often times during an emergency things are so chaotic that even emergency repsonders are clamboring for information. These press releases are not only important to the public but to emergency responders as well.