Interprofessional Team for Emergency Response Planning
An emergency response plan to be implemented in the event of a civic disturbance should be developed by an interdisciplinary team that involves Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), IT personnel, nurses and physicians, Red Cross representatives, mechanics, and dispatchers. The collaboration between these professionals allows for the development of a comprehensive plan that considers various aspects of emergency response.
Priority Communication Messages for Media, Staff, and Families
Social media is an effective method of communication before and during a crisis because it can help reach a vast audience in a short timeframe compared to other media (SAMHSA, 2019). Messages sent through social media can have a powerful “viral” effect, which enables multi-way and participatory communication in real time.
Emergency Response Team Members and Organizational Roles in Sentinel City®
At Sentinel City®, the emergency response team members operating at the facility should include security personnel, EMTs, and paramedics, as well as the representatives of the fire and police departments operating in the vicinity. The security personnel’s responsibility in an emergency is to have a plan for the building’s lockdown. EMTs and paramedics will provide immediate assistance to individuals affected by the emergency (SAMHSA, 2018). The employees of fire and police departments will be responsible for stabilizing the situation and overseeing the evacuation if necessary (Lockspeiser, 2018). Moreover, security and safety personnel will collaborate to stabilize the emergency and minimize the damage to the population.
Analysis of Risks and Benefits of Social Media in Emergency Response
Regarding using social media for communication during an emergency, the main risk is oversharing information with the general public, which may cause panic. For example, the parents and grandparents of younger people who may be trapped due to an emergency may become increasingly concerned. This is a negative outcome when resolving the situation calmly and efficiently.
Moreover, some posts made on social media may sometimes contain misleading or false information that has not been previously verified, which is a problem for the public image of the response team. In contrast, using social media as a means of communication during an emergency can be beneficial for informing a large target audience in a short timeframe. Besides, the audience could share some vital information with the response team, thus aiding in quickly addressing the situation.
Communication Strategies for a Selected Healthcare Practice Setting
Social Media Messages for Response Phase
The healthcare practice setting chosen for developing the communication messages is the Emergency Room. The first message will address the community in general to inform the population of the existing emergency event and the fact that it is being addressed. The message is the following:
“An emergency response has been initiated at [Name of the Emergency Room]. The response team has arrived at the scene. We strongly advise the members of the community to stay clear of the [Location of the Emergency Room].” The public will be updated promptly on the progress of the response.”
Social Media Messages for Recovery Phase
The second message targets family members arriving at the event’s location. The message is:
“Family members, there has been an emergency response to the events at [Name of the Emergency Room]. We ask you to stay calm as the response team is doing its work. Please avoid calling emergency services, but stay available through the telephone number listed in the patient information of your relatives. You will be contacted as soon as the situation resolves.”
References
Lockspeiser, B. (2018). Four phases of emergency management [Video]. YouTube. Web.
SAMHSA. (2018). Disaster Technical Assistance Center Supplemental Research Bulletin. First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma. Web.
SAMHSA. (2019). Communicating in a crisis: Risk communication guidelines for public officials. Web.