165361 Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd: Regional communication responses to a natural disaster

Monday, November 5, 2007: 9:00 AM

Thom Berry, BA , Education and Information Services, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, SC
This presentation describes communication challenges and opportunities presented by torrential rains and flooding in North and South Carolina from two hurricanes that struck the southeast region of the U.S. only weeks apart during 1999. The speaker will present information regarding strategies and challenges associated with integrating public health messages from the state perspective into varied local communication efforts already underway. The presentation will demonstrate plans for implementing coordinated communication programs that incorporate regional, state and local information and address the resources needed to ensure timely dissemination of accurate and useful information.

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to: (1) identify the challenges of coordinating regional, state, and local communication efforts during a natural disaster, (2) compare communication strategies and challenges of natural disasters with other types of disasters, and (3) understand coordination plans and resources necessary to ensure timely dissemination of accurate and helpful information.

Keywords: Communication, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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