Reference: Horsley, J. (2012). Planning for
Spontaneity: The Challenges of Disaster Communication Fieldwork. International
Journal Of Qualitative Methods, 11(3), 180-194.
Theme: The article discusses fieldwork
disaster communication, and the apparent lack of research on the subject.
Summary: the American Red Cross organizes
during disaster to communicate with primary public entities, including the
media, donors, partner agencies, and those affected by disaster. There is little or no research on disaster
communication in the middle of an event as it unfolds in front of your
eyes. Communication in the field is vastly
different from that in a communications center.
·
The need for an
organization to protect its image during a volatile time can cause an
organization to exert more control over the dissemination of information.
·
The greatest
difference between conducting qualitative fieldwork in disasters and in more
stable, certain environments is the simple fact that it is a disaster.
·
Flexibility is vitally
important at a disaster site in which the setting and circumstances are
constantly evolving.
Other reading: Eisenman, D. P., Cordasco, K. M., Asch,
S., Golden, J. F., & Glik, D. (2007). Disaster Planning and Risk
Communication With Vulnerable Communities: Lessons From Hurricane Katrina. American
Journal Of Public Health, 97S109-S115.
This
article discusses communications with the public during Hurricane Katrina.
Application: Communication from within the safety of
a command center does not have the same issues of that from the field. For those managers and leaders performing
actual fieldwork, there needs to be an understanding that it is a very dynamic
and possibly hostile/dangrerous environment from what they may be used to.
