SMEM and ICS Training for Comms Pros

If you work in U.S. emergency management, particularly at the local, county or state level, you are probably already aware of the fine courses provided at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute – both the brick-and-mortar schoolhouse in the Maryland panhandle, and via their online presence. I’ve taken several courses at the school over the years, have […]

Apps for the Crisis Communicator’s Virtual Toolbox

Being a public information officer for an organization with a diverse array of nearly a dozen distinct missions made every day exciting. On any given day, I might be talking to the media and stakeholders about maritime search and rescue and law enforcement, chemical and petroleum environmental pollution response or how icebergs in the North […]

The #HoCoPolice and the #ColumbiaMall Shooting

There has been a shooting incident at the Columbia mall. No additional details yet. PIO en route. Will update ASAP. — Howard County Police (@HCPDNews) January 25, 2014 Following crisis news in real time is nothing new. Orson Welles proved – at least in theory – in 1938, with his hour-long radio adaptation of War […]