Description

Fundamentals of Disaster Public Affairs: The National Response is a facilitator-led course that introduces Red Cross communicators to the critical tasks necessary to initiate a national disaster public affairs response. The course is designed for those individuals who will serve as Supervisors or Managers in the Public Affairs activity on a national disaster relief operation.Participants will have the opportunity to engage in case-based scenarios, group exercises, practice activities and open discussion. These participatory activities are designed to reinforce important concepts and meet segment objectives.

Purpose

The purpose of this course is to examine the scope and responsibilities of the Public Affairs activity, in order to provide a framework in which to apply your public affairs knowledge, skills and experience on disaster relief operations.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to—

•  Recognize and understand the characteristics and the structure of disaster relief operations.
• Identify the scope and responsibilities of the Public Affairs activity within a disaster relief operation.
• Understand the information needs of people affected by the disaster, partner agencies and internal and external audiences.
• Develop, implement and evaluate communication strategies that promote Red Cross Disaster Services and enhance the overall image of the Red Cross.
•  Identify and manage current hot topic issues.
•  Recognize the challenges in building a team and integrating local and visiting staff.
• Understand the importance of implementing a seamless transition from chapter public affairs responses to disaster relief operation and back to chapter response as the operation scales back.

Audience

The course is intended for Red Cross employees or volunteers who demonstrate the potential to serve in leadership positions (Supervisor or Manager) in the Public Affairs activity on a national disaster relief operation. The audience may also include publicinformation specialists, Public Affairs chairpersons and others who wish to be considered for deployment in the Public Affairs activity as supervisors or managers on a disaster relief operation through the DSHR system and supervisory staff members from all DSHR groups.

Prerequisites

• Fundamentals of Disaster Public Affairs: The Local Response (DSOSS200A, 07/07)
• Experience equivalent to a supervisor in the Public Affairs activity on a disaster relief operation.

Length

This one-day course can be taught in 6 and a half hours.