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Further develop your Crisis Communication Plan by updating it according to the top natural hazard facing Bobsville from your Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (or use the provided sample). Produce 1–2 pages of updates including: pregathered information regarding your hazard; key messages; website content; social media posts; traditional media statements; possible trick questions; and known local prodromes. Use the description of Bobsville for existing information and create any necessary details. Also develop a maximum one-page Incident Specific Annex on winter storms as part of integration with Bobsville's Crisis Management Plan/Emergency Operations Plan begun in EDMG220.

Paper For Above Instructions

Executive summary

Based on Bobsville’s Hazard Vulnerability Assessment, the top natural hazard is winter storms (heavy snow, blizzard conditions, ice, and extreme cold). This update provides pregathered hazard information, prepared key messages, website content, social media templates, traditional media materials, likely trick questions with model responses, and recognized local prodromes. An Incident Specific Annex (Winter Storm) follows, designed to integrate with Bobsville’s Crisis Management Plan/Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and align with incident command and public information best practices (FEMA, 2018; Coombs, 2007).

Pregathered information regarding winter storms

  • Hazard description: Snow accumulation, freezing rain, high winds, and extended sub-freezing temperatures that threaten mobility, utilities, and health (NOAA, 2020).
  • Activation thresholds: Forecast of ≥6 inches in 12 hours or ≥8 inches in 24 hours, wind gusts ≥35 mph with falling/blowing snow, or prolonged wind chill 12 hours.
  • Critical infrastructure at risk: Major road corridors (State Route 7), municipal water treatment, electrical grid nodes at North Substation, and senior care facilities (Bobsville Manor).
  • Vulnerable populations: elderly (Bobsville Manor & assisted living), homeless populations, households without backup heat, and school-age children dependent on school closures for safety.
  • Data sources and contacts: NWS Buffalo Forecast Office, County DOT, electric utility outage center, local hospital incident commander, and regional Red Cross liaison (NOAA, 2020; FEMA NIMS, 2013).
  • Prepared assets: pre-identified warming centers (Community Center North), pet-friendly shelters, list of vetted tow/plow contractors, and pre-scripted public messages.

Key messages (templates)

  • Prepare: "Bobsville residents: prepare now—stock 72 hours of supplies, charge devices, and check on neighbors. Know your warming center locations." (Red Cross, 2021)
  • Protect: "Stay off roads if possible. If you must travel, carry a winter survival kit and tell someone your route." (NOAA, 2020)
  • Respond: "If you lose power or heat, contact the utility outage line and use designated warming centers. Do not use generators indoors." (CDC, 2019)
  • Recovery: "Report storm damage via our online portal. Emergency services are prioritizing life-safety calls and critical infrastructure." (FEMA, 2018)

Website content (landing page and FAQ)

Landing page headline: "Bobsville Winter Storm Alert — Stay Safe, Stay Informed." Include a live status banner (Green/Yellow/Red) fed by NWS and DOT feeds. Provide quick links: Warming Centers, Road Conditions, Power Outages, Shelter & Pet Policies, How to Prepare, and Report Damage.

FAQ samples:

  • Q: Where is the nearest warming center? A: Link and Google Maps directions to Community Center North (open 24/7 during declared events).
  • Q: Are generators allowed indoors? A: No—CO risk. See safe generator operation guidance (CDC, 2019).
  • Q: How will I know school closings? A: Posted on homepage and sent via SMS alert.

Social media templates and cadence

Principles: concise, authoritative, actionable, and time-stamped. Use official hashtags (#BobsvilleReady, #BobsvilleSnow).

  • Pre-event (48–24 hrs): "Forecast shows heavy snow Thurs–Fri. Charge devices, gather meds, limit travel. Maps & shelters: [link]. #BobsvilleReady" (Tweet)
  • During event (real-time): "Road conditions: Route 7 closed between 4th & Elm. Use alternate Route 9. See live map: [link]. #BobsvilleSnow" (Facebook + Tweet)
  • Post-event (recovery): "Power crews are restoring service. Expected restoration for most by 10 PM tonight. Report outages here: [link]." (Facebook)

Also prepare graphics sized for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram showing warming center locations and winter driving tips (Houston et al., 2015; Starbird & Palen, 2011).

Traditional media — press release and press conference guidance

Press release headline template: "Bobsville Declares Winter Storm Local Emergency; Warming Centers Open." Include key facts, safety actions for residents, shelter info, road closures, and official spokesperson contact. Offer scheduled briefings at 0800/1400 during high-impact phases and an assigned PIO to coordinate media and social posts (FEMA, 2018).

Possible trick questions and model responses

  • Q: "Should I drive now—roads don't look bad in my neighborhood?" A: "Conditions can vary by block; main roads and bridges may be icy. If travel is not essential, stay home. We will post real-time road reports and closures." (coherent, avoids absolutes)
  • Q: "Why aren't you plowing my street yet?" A: "Crews prioritize arterial routes and emergency lanes first; we will continue to clear residential streets as resources permit. Report urgent blockages here." (transparent resource prioritization)
  • Q: "Can we use gas stoves to heat homes?" A: "No—this risks carbon monoxide poisoning. Use approved heating methods and follow CDC guidance." (CDC, 2019)

Known local prodromes (early warning signs)

  • Consecutive NWS watches/advisories issued for Bobsville and adjacent counties.
  • DOT pre-salting orders and sand/salt trucks staged along Route 7.
  • Rapid temperature drop >10°F within 6 hours and dewpoint trends signaling freezing rain potential.
  • Pre-call logs from hospital indicating increased cold-related admissions in prior cold snaps.

Incident Specific Annex — Winter Storm (one-page)

Purpose: Provide a concise, operational communication annex for winter storms to be appended to Bobsville’s EOP.

Activation Criteria: NWS Winter Storm Warning affecting Bobsville or local forecast meeting activation thresholds (see pregathered info).

Lead PIO: Municipal PIO (primary) with backup from County Emergency Communications. Establish JIC at Town Hall Annex when multi-agency response activated (FEMA NIMS, 2013).

Key actions:

  • Within 2 hours of activation: publish landing-page alert, deploy initial social posts, issue press release with core safety messages, notify shelter operators and utility partners.
  • Ongoing: cadence of messages every 2–4 hours; hourly updates if conditions rapidly deteriorate; monitor and correct misinformation (Coombs, 2007).
  • Coordination: align messages with County DOT, electric utility, NWS, and Red Cross to avoid conflicting guidance (Seeger et al., 2003).

Public messaging templates: Pre-approved sentences for Prepare/Protect/Respond/Recover (see Key messages).

Evaluation & After-Action: Collect metrics (website hits, social reach, shelter occupancy, 911 call volumes) and prepare after-action report within 30 days (City of Boston, 2015).

Conclusion

This update delivers a practical, integrated communications approach for Bobsville’s highest-rated hazard—winter storms—using pre-developed assets, trusted information channels, and clear messaging templates to protect life and support recovery. The plan aligns with national guidance, incident command structures, and evidence-based communication practices (FEMA, 2018; Coombs, 2007; Houston et al., 2015).

References

  • FEMA. (2018). Crisis Communications Playbook. Federal Emergency Management Agency. (FEMA, 2018)
  • NOAA/National Weather Service. (2020). Winter Weather Safety. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NOAA, 2020)
  • American Red Cross. (2021). Winter Storms Safety Tips. American Red Cross. (Red Cross, 2021)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety. (CDC, 2019)
  • Coombs, W. T. (2007). Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding. Sage Publications. (Coombs, 2007)
  • Seeger, M. W., Sellnow, T. L., & Ulmer, R. R. (2003). Communication and Organizational Crisis. Praeger. (Seeger et al., 2003)
  • FEMA. (2013). National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) Guidance. Federal Emergency Management Agency. (FEMA NIMS, 2013)
  • Houston, J. B., Hawthorne, J., et al. (2015). Social media and disasters: A functional framework for social media use in crisis communication. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. (Houston et al., 2015)
  • Starbird, K., & Palen, L. (2011). "Voluntweeters": Self-organizing by digital volunteers in times of crisis. Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. (Starbird & Palen, 2011)
  • City of Boston. (2015). Blizzard After-Action Report. City of Boston Emergency Management Department. (City of Boston, 2015)

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