Building connections: Creating Crisis Communicators in Your Organization
By Michelle Adams, Strategic Communications Supervisor, Western Municipal Water District
These past few years California has seen deadly wildfires, devastating earthquakes, as well as torrential flooding and mudslides. In many of these incidents, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has turned to CAPIO as a trusted and valued partner for a network of resources when communities are most vulnerable.
The Cal/OES PIO Team recently signed up nine members, among them were the PIO team who helped to lead CAPIO’s Emergency Communications Academy.
“Being a member of CAPIO further strengthens our network of trained communicators,” said Brian Ferguson, Deputy Director of Crisis Communications and Media Relations. “CAPIO not only provides opportunities to meet one another to share best practices and experiences, but it also gives us the opportunity to explore how to work together to become even better communications professionals.”
CAPIO has made a concerted effort to build its emergency management contingency plan for its membership. Training and learning from others ‘who have been there’ is key making a more resilient California. The Cal OES PIO team is excited to participate through facilitating and instructing at the Emergency Communications Academy. Creating an environment where connections can be built promotes a deep bench of support during incidents when resources may be limited.
If you weren’t able to participate this year, we strongly encourage you to consider participating in next year’s Emergency Communications Academy. Learn more at Emergency Communications Academy.
View photo album from our 2020 Emergency Communications
Academy
(Photos courtesy of Cal OES)
