How is Ineffective Communication an Obstacle in Emergency Management?

Routine methods for handling little or simpler events don't scale when dealing with a significant disruption. However, evidence from the field consistently indicates that companies that do not have systematic and practiced emergency procedures will find it challenging to handle a critical incident without suffering negative consequences that could have been prevented for their long-term reputation, stakeholder relationships, and ongoing business operations.

Fremont, CA: From terrorist attacks to extreme weather, reports repeatedly point to the same problems that define all crises, with recurring mistakes. These usually involve disjointed command and control systems, malfunctioning communication systems, and ineffective or delayed resource deployment.

The weak link that connects inefficient emergency management activities is frequently ineffective communication. It involves speaking with all response team members, staff, outside emergency services and agencies, security guards, and anyone directly or indirectly impacted by the emergency incident. It also entails maintaining communication with the general public through the media. The various functional roles you must communicate with and the vast array of information these groups require to respond effectively complicate the number of people you speak with. Other factors include your geographic distance from the incident, the uncertainty surrounding who is in a particular area and affected by the incident, and the speed at which an incident occurs.

These days, many companies have emergency notification apps that broadcast messages throughout the company. Although each provider has different capabilities, there are some rather significant differences that are worth discussing because they help to solve many of the issues mentioned above.

As with most emergency management, preparation is critical to maximizing your reaction. To tailor communications for different groups, you should seek out a solution that allows you to predefine them by role. For instance, it is wise to compile a list of all your fire wardens to expedite evacuation alerts. This way, you may ask them to lead evacuees to specific gathering places based on the situation. Similarly, you should be prepared to communicate with employees or students who might have particular requirements, such as those who are physically impaired, in various ways. For example, you could inform them that a fire warden has been alerted to their location to help with evacuation.

Making lists ahead of time may seem simple, but once you start organizing, maintaining, and editing them, it can quickly become a full-time job. To ensure that lists are updated in real-time and kept in one central location, look for a provider with an API to integrate with HR directories.

Additionally, you should search for an app that facilitates geo-targeted communications to determine who is at a specific location rapidly, send specific messages to individuals around the incident, and warn others to remain in their current location and keep away from the affected region.

Additionally, you need an app that accommodates geographically separated places so that you may message those miles away as quickly as those traveling overseas. Geographically speaking, you want an intelligent app that can determine the user's location so that when they need help, the emergency assistance number is immediately programmed into their phone, saving them the trouble of deciding whether to dial 911, 999, or 000.

These sophisticated features are all easily accessible today and will assist you and your team overcome many of the communication obstacles that emergency management has historically presented.