Posted at 2:20 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2006
Panel eyes improved emergency communications
Advertiser Staff
A committee of journalists and state officials has come up with tentative recommendations for how to get information to the public in the case of an emergency like last month's earthquakes on the Big Island that led to an O'ahu-wide blackout.The recommendations include ways to make it easier for state Civil Defense to get information to the broadcast and print media, who can then get the information to the public.
Ideas under consideration include:
i Establishing a media room with backup power at the Emergency Operations Center at Diamond Head where journalists can use phones and computers while covering an emergency.
i Having state officials offer regular updates at least every half-hour, which would be accessible by phone or perhaps videoconference.
i Dedicating a Civil Defense Web site to media, which would offer written and visual information during an emergency.
i Using the monthly siren tests to educate the public about disaster preparedness and other Civil Defense issues.
A report with official recommendations will be released next month.
