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Preparing Your Bomb Squad

“By the time you hear the thunder,

it’s too late to build the ark.” ~ Anonymous

An Introduction to Crisis Planning

Crisis Planning Takeaways

Crisis Brainstorming ✔

Preparing Your Team ✔

Creating a Crisis Plan ✔

We Pessimists

Your Crisis Team: The “Bomb Squad”

• Decision Maker

• Spokesperson

• Internal Communicator

Bomb Squad Tool Kit

Contact Sheet

WHO?• Bomb Squad• Advisors• Staff

• Board Members

WHAT?• Phone• Email• Social

Operating Procedures

Who do we call first? Who speaks to the media?

Where does the bomb squad meet?

When do we inform the board? Volunteers?

How quickly do we need to respond to media requests?

Media Kit

Press Release

Fact Sheet Bios

Bomb Diffusion GuideDoes this affect us

directly or the general NP

sector?

Could we receive a call

about it?

No Action Needed

NO NO

YESDo we have a clear position on the issue?

Define a clear position

YES

NO

Adapted from Colorado NP Association

Will being proactive have a positive

impact?

Will taking proactive steps demonstrate

leadership?

Does this issue closely relate to the overall goals of our

NP? Is a proactive

action necessary for the positive

reputation of our NP or the sector?

IF YES

Is another organization better equipped to

address this?

Talk with other experts/NP & if

necessary help create messagesYE

SYES TOANY

Do we need to enlist outside PR help, legal counsel due to the size/type of issue or the lack of pre-defined position?

NO

Prepare to make reactive

statementsNO TO ANY

Release proactive statement to media, volunteers, members

Obtain counsel to direct further action and review position

Social media

“In the 21st century, a social media savant can do more harm than a trial attorney.”

~Jonathan Bernstein of Bernstein Crisis Management

Media Training

Don’t bomb it: Media training can help you avoid this look

This is not a drill…IMMEDIATE ACTION (1-2 Hours)

• Call in Bomb Squad

• Confirm Facts (5 W’s)

• Survey Media

• Pick a Position

• Prepare Statement/Press Release

This is not a drill…SECONDARY ACTION (First Day)

• Call in Advisors

• Notify Board/Staff

• Respond to Media Requests

• Create Crisis Fact Sheet

• Update Influencers

www.bigskypublicrelations.com406-270-2949

© 2014 Big Sky Public Relations