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Wildfire Crisis
Media Training |
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It was October 27th,
2003 when President Bush declared Los Angeles, San
Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties as major
disaster areas. At the time, more than 8,000
firefighters were doing their best to contain at least
10 wildfires, many of which had destroyed thousands of
homes, left tens of thousands without electricity and
had led a tragic loss of human life. During the 2003
wildfire crisis, hundreds of thousands of acres were
lost and Southern California was brought to a
standstill. The crisis was covered by the international
media and left many struggling for answers and ways to
deal with the damage. A wildfire crisis can take a
serious toll on the economic and emotional health of a
region. The ability to deal with the media in an
understanding and compassionate manner that provides
information to a news-hungry public is crucial during a
wildfire crisis. Our Wildfire Crisis Media Training
workshop provides public officials, fire department
spokesmen, government and agency representatives and
other public relations professionals with the ability to
effectively manage a wildfire crisis situation with the
media.
The Wildfire Crisis Media Training workshop focuses
on empowering individuals who must deal with the media
during a wildfire crisis, regardless of the size or
scope involved. Even communications related to a
wildfire crisis that is easily contained and does not
pose a threat to the general public is covered. This
crisis media training workshop will equip you with the
tools and skills required to successfully communicate
and inform the public and media. These crucial skills
can be utilized by multiple agencies, regardless of
their role in dealing with the media during a wildfire
crisis. Local and federal government agencies can
utilize the skills in this training workshop to
communicate with the media to discuss the effect on
forestlands, communities and wildlife or to detail
relief efforts during a wildfire crisis. These training
concepts can also be used by organizations that, for
some reason or another, may have been found at fault and
must answer to hostile crowds, non-stop media questions
and other concerned parties. Several simulated press
conferences and question and answer situations are
utilized to provide crisis media participants with
wildfire crisis skill practice. One-on-one coaching
sessions provide personalized feedback from a training
instructor. Time is spent working on training modules,
application exercises, question and answer sessions and
other activities to reinforce the learning process in
this crisis media training workshop.
Wildfire Crisis Media Training program
participants will learn to:
 | Understand the issues faced during a wildfire
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
wildfire crisis information |
| Determine media attitudes and needs |
| Overcome nervousness during a high pressure crisis
situation |
| 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 |
| Deal with the difficulties faced when a loss of
life is involved |
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