Reading Summary 4- Randy Rask- Disaster Communication on the Internet

Randy Rask

Lesson 4 Reading Summary

Reference:

Barr D., Friedman D., Koskan A., Tanner A. Disaster Communication on the Internet: A Focus on Mobilizing Information.  Journal of Health Communication; Dec2009, Vol. 14 Issue 8, p741-755, 15p, 2 Charts.

Theme:  How the internet is used to disperse information during times of disaster.  Using news to gather information and then mobilizing that information through the use of the internet. 

Summary:

·         Natural and man-made disasters are plaguing the world in our decade. 

·         Different forms of emergency preparedness and response information is very important in these times to mitigate loss of life and property. 

·         Audience demands are high during times of disaster.   Because of this, many organizations have started to use the web/internet as a means to disperse information.

·         The public needs access to disaster response efforts and information so that they know what role they need to play or what they need to do to help mitigate the disaster.

·         Crisis communication is important in responding to disasters

·         During emergencies, the Internet helps by being able to update information as quickly as possible.  Much quicker than television or radio.

·         This leads to mobilizing information in a quick manner. 

·         Some information that is mobilized on the Internet in times of disaster are evacuation information, help-line phone numbers, checklists for preparedness supplies, websites with more information on the disaster, and instructions on what to do in the case of an emergency. 

Application to Lesson Topic:

The lesson was on crisis management and communication planning.  This article shows how important the Internet's role is during times of disaster.  The ability of being able to mobilize information in a very timely manner is very important in crisis management during a disaster. 

Application to Emergency Services:

In the emergency service field, it is difficult to manage a crisis without the ability to mobilize information to those who need it.  Many different methods are taken to disperse information to those affected by the disaster.  The Internet is one of those methods that is very effective in disseminating information to the public as quickly as possible.  We as emergency workers need to remember how effective the Internet is when we want to get information out to the public.