Applied Crisis Communication with Alain Normand

Instructor: Alain Normand, Emergency Management Professional (EMP)

Background: Communication is critical in emergency management and students in the DEM program currently only have access to the Emergency Management Communication course at the undergraduate level. This series is a condensed version of the undergrad course with a particular focus on communications during a crisis and working with media to get key messages to the affected public.

Cost: This course is free for all DEMSA students.

Content:

Session 1. February, 15  – Basic communication principles, the messenger and the audience, perception and risk, retaining or regaining public confidence, key messages, case studies: Lac Megantic, RBC Computer glitch.

Session 2, March, 1 - Persuasion principles the ancient Greek debaters used, resistance to change, press conferences, emergency communications and IMS, interview practical exercise, case studies: Fort MacMurray, Walkerton.

Practical exercise details – Three or four students will play the role of spokesperson and the instructor will play the role of the reporter for mock interviews on real cases of their choice. The interviews will be taped and replayed for a constructive criticism by the participants. This exercise is optional and there is no obligation for anyone to participate.

Session 3, March 15 – Communications during an emergency, press conference practical exercise, developing a crisis communication plan, career advice, case studies: Sunrise Propane, Saguenay floods.

Practical exercise details – Panels of students will prepare press conferences on case studies of their choice. The rest of the participants will play the role of the press and ask questions to the panels. The press conferences will be tape and replayed for constructive criticism by the participants. This exercise is optional and there is no obligation for anyone to participate.

Register Here