Responding During a Crisis or Emergency

N. D. LarkanCopywriting e-book Presentation

Crisis-an unstable or uncertain time or state of affairs, the outcome of which will have a major impact

Emergency-a sudden and unexpected situation requiring prompt action

Accident-a happening that is not planned or expected

Disaster-an event that causes great ruin or distress; a sudden and crushing misfortune

Although the definitions sound similar, they are very different

Definitionsto Know and Identify

HUNCHES AND INTUITIONMelvin Melcher

Hunches and intuition can lead reporters to good stories.

These insights do not come out of the blue. They are the result of wide and varied background knowledge and an understanding of the behavior of people. The ill-prepared reporter does not have hunches. Feelings and emotions can distort observations and influence writing. But they also can lead reporters to uncover abuses and illegalities. Reporters monitor their feelings and opinions, and they make sure to avoid stereotypes in their reporting and writing. The reporter with fixed pictures in mind of people and groups produces distorted reporting.

Close-up Good stories are composed from on-the-scene observation. The reporter witnesses accounts unfold and emergency personnel reacting to the events.

Focus on the Impact of Your Story

Emergency Communication What is an accident? What is a disaster? What is a crisis? What do they have in common? They are not planned. When something drastic happens in America, many times it affects the nation as a whole. When a large accident occurs it creates an interest to find out how it happened, to whom and why. When a disaster happens people want to find out what happened and how it can be remedied or helped. When a crisis happens it affects people from everywhere and often leaves everyone bewildered. But the stories need to be told. Curiosity is a natural feeling and the public will dig and dig, until they find out as much information as they can. Many times stories are told to help overcome the fear caused by what occurred. Other times it is to share the news of an event.  Here is a short guide to follow before information is divulged to the public. The first information that is demanded is the number of injured, dead or those affected. The human toll is more important than property damage, so be sure to have that figure readily available.  People want to know what caused the event. Was it terrorism, was it an accident, was it storm? If you don’t know the answer, don’t guess or make assumptions. Get the facts and tell the facts only.  Audiences want eyewitness reports. Gather eyewitness accounts of the event. Many times the eyewitness can give a lot of information. Finally, include any warnings the public needs to be aware of or advised. This is just the starting point for your story, so make sure you do plenty of research to get the 5 w’s and how.

Tell your story. Tell the truth. And state the facts. 

Reflection of Boston Bombing

Looking back, on our

very first day of class, we

talked about "what is news"

and "what is journalism."   Clearly, the Boston bombings were new, but the journalism is hard to identify.  Remember we talked about the qualities of a good journalist? We said: 

* Excerpts from blog ”Sharing Information is not the Same as Journalism”

Boston Globe photograph

Seek truth and report it  Credible Curious Accurate (perfectionist) Fast 

Written by Cole Cosgrove

Disaster Checklist:

Dead InjuredTotal affected or in dangerCause of deathEstimated death and injury tollEyewitness accountsProperty loss:

HomesLandPublic utilitiesPermanent damages

Rescue and Relief operations:EvacuationsHeroismsUnusual equipment Unique rescue techniquesNumber of official personnel and volunteers

Warnings: health department, public utility commission, law enforcement statementsLootingNumber of spectatorsLaw suitsArrestsInvestigationsCleanup activities

Make sure each of these are included in the story (if applicable):

Accident Checklist

Victims: names, identification of dead and injured

Official cause of accident LocationTimeCause of death and injuriesWhere dead taken and howExtent of injuriesHeroism, rescuesCondition of injuredDamagesArrestsUnusual weather or traffic

conditionsEyewitness accountsSpeed, origin and destination

Oil spill photo credit Stephen Campbell, The Houston Chronicle