Preparing for Emergencies Guidance

Appendix 4 - Developing an emergency communication strategy

Five Steps to an audience-based approach - The right communication to the right people at the right time

Identify the audience

Identify the groups or individuals you need to communicate with. Also consider the needs of different population/vulnerable groups.

Set the communication objectives

Consider what you want to communicate/what action you require people to take.

Develop the information and message

Consider what information is required and how to deliver it. Special care should be taken not to alarm unnecessarily and to protect sensitive information.

Choose the appropriate communication channel

Consider what channels of communication are most appropriate to the audience you wish to communicate with. In types of slow burn emergencies where some degree of pre-planning can take place, it might be useful to know in advance how you will communicate with them.

Monitor, evaluate and review

It is important that regular reviews take place to enable any changes in message/method to be incorporated.