crisis communications plans and message mapping

what we have done, what we havelearned, and our plans for futureimprovements.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchas.2013.03.418

Community college citizen prepared-ness programJohn PerroneHomeland Security ManagementInstitute, Monroe Community College,United StatesThis program addresses the knowledge,skills and abilities students need to sur-vive natural, technological and man-made disasters. Whatever the scale ofthe disaster, members of the local com-munity will carry out the first response.Wherefore, students and citizens needto be able to: understand preparednessas it pertains to their unique situationand to their responsibility as a citizenand be able to understand specificthreats and how to respond.


Comparison of chemical disinfec-tantsBruce FinlayEastern Virginia Medical School, Uni-ted StatesOne of the major components of bio-logical safety is decontamination. Inthe laboratory, surface decontamina-tion is of utmost importance. Thereare a wide variety of chemical surfacedisinfectants available for generallaboratory use, but there is no consen-suson themosteffective. I will be testingfour common surface disinfectants(bleach, 70% alcohol, quaternaryammonium compound, and iodophor)for efficacy in relation to both contacttime and viable colonies.


Conducting lab safety audits in asmall collegeJay BrakensiekClaremont University Consortium,United StatesConducting critical Laboratory SafetyAudits in a small college setting maybe both quantitatively and qualitative

different than auditing in a largeresearch university. Lab Safetyresources are likely to be much lessat small colleges both in the academicdepartment and on the audit team,which may have 1–2 staff membersperforming the EHS Audits. Thesecontrasts with the often large numbersof university EHS audit staff, backedup by specialists. This presentation willcover what has worked over the last 2years, lessons learned, and details ofthe Lab Audits at The Claremont Col-leges.


Contractor safety: Why is importanton campusRyan FendrichVeolia Environmental Services, UnitedStatesDoes your campus have a contractorsafety compliance program? Are youworried about the safety practices oftemporary contractors doing projectwork on campus? Learn how contrac-tor safety and the safety of students,campus visitors, and the universitystaff are intertwined. Protect your cam-pus from injury, OSHA complianceissues, and PR nightmares. Learn whatto look for in a contractor’s safetyrecord and what to ask during pre-bid or post award meetings. Discussionwill include suggestions for developinga checklist of what you require andneed from contractors before theycan begin work.


Controlled substance disposalKeith DuvalUniversity of Pittsburgh, United StatesMaintaining compliance with DEAdisposal regulations can be challengingfor universities. Facilities which pos-sess controlled substances must utilizea closed system to ensure that con-trolled substances are accounted forfrom their creation through finaldestruction. When a controlled sub-stance is declared a waste, a reversedistributor is mandated by certainDEA divisions to dispose of thematerial. Disposal through a reverse

distributor is costly. Pitt EH&S devel-oped a centralized program whichfacilitates disposal, while controllingcosts.


Creating a Continuity of OperationsPlanLisa TeelEmergency Planning, OCCC, UnitedStatesThe Continuity of Operations (COOP)Plan sets forth how an institution willcontinue its operations as the result ofthe loss of the use of its offices, classrooms, utilities, manpower, or all of theabove or any combination of the abovedue to an emergency incident (such asa fire or tornado). For example, if abuilding was destroyed the COOPwould detail the entity’s plan of opera-tion on where those functions carriedout within the destroyed buildingwould be housed until the buildingwas functional. A COOP should beuseful and part of daily operationsand not just a binder on a shelf care.


Crisis communications plans andmessage mappingMark BagbyWashington University in St. Louis,United StatesFlying by the seat of your pants in acrisis, normally does not end well. For-malizing a plan and prescripting mes-sages (message mapping) beforehandwill give your institution a playbook towork from for internal and externalcommunications during an emergency.Rumor control, traditional media, newmedia, call centers and the like will bediscussed as well.


Cultivating communities of practiceAmy OrdersEnvironmental Health, NC State Uni-versity, United StatesCommunities of practice consist ofgroups of people working togethertowards achieving specific goals

44 Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, May/June 2013

















crisis communications plans and message mapping

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