Communication Gaps in Disaster Management -- Reading Summary #4
By Ray Huntzinger
Reference:
Palttala, P., Boano, C., Lund, R., & Vos, M. (2012, March).
Communication gaps in disaster management: Perceptions by experts from
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Journal of
Contingencies and Crisis Management. 20(1), pp.2-12.
Theme:
The theme of the journal was an overview of a study attempting to
address communication issues and gaps during disaster situations; and
ultimately develop tools to measure crisis communication
effectiveness.
Summary:
--The purpose of the study was to identify gaps in communication
during the management of disasters.
--Crisis communication aims to resolve crisis situations and lessen
public uncertainty during crisis/disaster events.
--The method, results, and conclusions of the study involving gaps in
disaster communication were outlined in detail.
--Stakeholders for the study were selected from those involved in
management of previous major disasters.
--The method to determine past gaps in disaster communication involved
three questions to stakeholders: What are the major constraints in
communication with the media and public? What are the constraints with
communication to civilians and communities? What are the constraints
in communication with other involved organizations?
--Some of the gaps identified in the study include deficiencies in the
flow of information within the disaster response/management network;
the relationships, expectations, and accountability of the flow of
information within the media; and the failure of emergency management
to monitor information that is released to the public.
Application to lesson topic:
The journal article describing the study directly relates to many
items, including the purpose, of the National Emergency Communications
Plan. Finding and addressing the gaps in disaster communication is a
major part of the overall lesson topic.
Application to emergency services:
The information in the journal article can be directly applied to
disaster management crisis communication during future incidents;
communication gaps/lessons from past disasters are identified and
recommendations are made.
By Ray Huntzinger
Reference:
Palttala, P., Boano, C., Lund, R., & Vos, M. (2012, March).
Communication gaps in disaster management: Perceptions by experts from
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Journal of
Contingencies and Crisis Management. 20(1), pp.2-12.
Theme:
The theme of the journal was an overview of a study attempting to
address communication issues and gaps during disaster situations; and
ultimately develop tools to measure crisis communication
effectiveness.
Summary:
--The purpose of the study was to identify gaps in communication
during the management of disasters.
--Crisis communication aims to resolve crisis situations and lessen
public uncertainty during crisis/disaster events.
--The method, results, and conclusions of the study involving gaps in
disaster communication were outlined in detail.
--Stakeholders for the study were selected from those involved in
management of previous major disasters.
--The method to determine past gaps in disaster communication involved
three questions to stakeholders: What are the major constraints in
communication with the media and public? What are the constraints with
communication to civilians and communities? What are the constraints
in communication with other involved organizations?
--Some of the gaps identified in the study include deficiencies in the
flow of information within the disaster response/management network;
the relationships, expectations, and accountability of the flow of
information within the media; and the failure of emergency management
to monitor information that is released to the public.
Application to lesson topic:
The journal article describing the study directly relates to many
items, including the purpose, of the National Emergency Communications
Plan. Finding and addressing the gaps in disaster communication is a
major part of the overall lesson topic.
Application to emergency services:
The information in the journal article can be directly applied to
disaster management crisis communication during future incidents;
communication gaps/lessons from past disasters are identified and
recommendations are made.
