read each paragraph and give me your opinion if you agree or disagree with that paragraph

1.

Response Management

My chosen delivery will be a public broadcast announcement before and during the events of a major hurricane disaster. This would be directed to a highly populated commercial and residential area where the damage from the hurricane would be substantial. The purpose of this type of broadcast would be to reach the population to inform them of the possible risks and recovery efforts, such as locations of shelters, as well as toll free numbers that people who have been affected by the natural disaster can call to seek temporary housing, home repair, and medical assistance. This type of broadcast would be read by an official, such as the President. The broadcast would be more effective if sent over the radio or television.

“Hello, this is the President of the United States to give you some important information. The hurricane damage is predicted to be serious and is planned to hit your area. We advise you to take shelter and stay in doors if you cannot evacuate the area. There are designated areas planned for recovery efforts that will provide medical assistance and shelter. Here are the toll free numbers provided by FEMA…”

I would choose radio broadcast in this type of situation because of the amount of people who are mobile in the effort to either evacuate the area or preparing to survive the storm by staying inside their homes. Radios can also provide information without the use of electricity, providing that you have a radio that runs on batteries. I also think that providing a toll free number will allow for the population to be well informed of where they can rebuild their community or city once the recovery process has begun.

In the event of a disaster planned to hit a community, risk communication is essential. Risk communication allows information sharing to populations about vulnerabilities and hazards headed their way. In this type of communication to the threatened community, several steps are in place and designed into the decision stages, which also include risk identification, risk assessment, protection action search, protective action assessment and selection, and protection action implementation. These steps are crucial for disaster preparedness issued by the person choosing the course of action for protection actions. With the Protection Action Decision Model (PADM), developed by Lindell and Perry (2004), warnings and risks are evaluated and actions are then set in place in the effort to protect (Perry & Lindell, 2007).

2.

I used the flooding in Fargo, N.D. to construct my public service announcement (PSA).

“FEMA and Mayor Walker have determined that the residents along the Red River and other low-lying areas in Fargo, N.D. need to evacuate immediately. High water levels are expected within the next 24 hours. Residents should seek shelter on higher ground. Bridges along the river will closed due to flooding until further notice. Alternate routes will be available. For those in need of transportation please contact friends, family or local law enforcement and transportation officials.”

My audience was the community of Fargo, North Dakota; more specifically, the residents along the Red River and other low-lying areas. The announcements were given via television, radio, social media, and phone. Perry and Lindell (2007) assert that, “Warning coverage is increased when warning messages are sent over multiple channels. This is because the probability of receiving at least one warning increases with the number of warning channels” (p. 324). Additionally, the more people aware of the situation, the more likely the information is passed on to other sources, such as friends and family.

The elderly and the physically challenged are the groups that should be considered when conducting an announcement. You must consider their location, their ability to receive information, and specific actions for evacuations whether they have the means or not. I know from personal experience, the elderly tend to be more stubborn about complying with warning messages. First, they feel safer in their home. Second, they want to protect their home, Third, they usually rely on their own disaster experience on whether to evacuate or not.