Power Outage Crisis Media Training

Power Outage Crisis Media Training

Over the past few years, major metropolitan centers in the United States have been hit with power outages of tremendous magnitude. Some outages, like the ones that plagued the northeastern United States, affected over one million residential, commercial and governmental customers. Others, similar to the rolling blackouts that were so prevalent in California just a few short years ago, cause a tremendous amount of inconvenience as one community after another has to deal with a lack of service. In some cases, a power outage crisis is the result of inclement weather. Violent storms, hurricanes, severe winter blizzards and other weather events can turn a power outage crisis into a crippling event. When a crisis of this magnitude occurs, the public and the media expect quick answers and reassurance that power will be restored before an inconvenience turns into an even more drastic crisis. Our Power Outage Crisis Media Training workshop provides public officials, utility company spokesmen, government and agency representatives and other media-focused professionals with the ability to effectively deal with a power outage crisis situation with the media.

The Power Outage Crisis Media Training workshop focuses on key skills and tools required by those individuals who must deal with the media during a power outage crisis, regardless of the size, scope or reasons involved. Even the ability to communicate with the media during a minor power outage crisis due to localized weather events that affect smaller populations is covered. This comprehensive crisis media training workshop will equip you with key concepts and proven training methodologies to successfully communicate and inform the public and media. These crucial training skills can be utilized by multiple agencies, regardless of their role in dealing with the media during a power outage crisis. Local and federal government agencies can utilize the skills in this training workshop to communicate with the media to discuss the scope of a power outage and to help communicate information on causes and possible solutions. These training concepts can also be used by utilities that may have to not only deal with the logistical difficulties of restoring service during a crisis but must answer to hostile crowds and media. Simulated press conferences and Q&A training situations are utilized to provide crisis media participants with crisis skills practice. One-on-one coaching sessions provide personalized feedback from a training instructor. Time is spent working on training modules, application exercises, and other activities to reinforce learning in this crisis media training workshop.

Power Outage Crisis Media Training program participants will learn to:

Understand the issues faced during a power outage crisis
Deal with the emotions of angry crowds, hostile print media and broadcast media
Properly interact with the media during a crisis
Enhance image and credibility when conveying power outage crisis information
Determine media attitudes and needs
Utilize training skills to overcome nervousness during a high pressure crisis
Use visual aids and other media to reinforce a message
Conduct face-to-face and telephone media interviews during a crisis
Satisfy the media’s needs during a crisis while focusing on a message
Present accurate information without appearing misinformed
Plan a crisis media presentation and build a statement for use with the media
Maintain control under the most challenging situations
Keep from over-promising resolution times and dates during a crisis