Responsibilities

These core elements of risk communications should be included in the planning process but are not intended to be a step by step guide. Seattle-King County represents a major metropolitan area that is segmented into geographical Zones and planning is structured around these geographical segments for I & Q Response. As the lead agency, our communication responsibilities are defined by zone and include:

Provide Zones with the tools and training in the phases and steps of the emergency Risk Communications Plan.

During a public health emergency, we will:

• Verify the true magnitude of the situation as quickly as possible.
• Determine official and unofficial communications about the situation as based on verified information.
• Conduct notifications with the State Department of Health communications office, hospital public information officers, and other affected county, state, and local government communications officers.
• Determine timing and content of all local health-related guidance and messages.
• Simultaneously coordinate with CDC, State DOH, and other counties to develop common messages.
• Develop messages, fact sheets, press releases and other information and obtain appropriate approvals.
• Coordinate messages with the health care community, including hospitals and providers.
• Provide regular updates to media, public, healthcare professionals and public officials about the outbreak. Messages may include:
  • Information about the infectious disease
  • Who will be at greatest risk of disease and death
  • Guidance on seeking care and care options
  • Guidance on prevention behavior
  • Guidance on recognizing and self-monitoring symptoms
  • Measures to reduce risk that exposed or ill individuals transmit infection, including:
    • Travel advisories/limit travel to affected areas
    • Screening travelers from affected areas
    • Limit large public gatherings and close schools
    • Encourage telecommuting
    • Limit availability of public transportation
    • Quarantine of exposed persons
    • Monitor the media as appropriate to rumors and misinformation
    • Conduct outreach to homeless and vulnerable groups
    • Establish a public health hotline and call center for public inquiries
    • Establish a Joint Information Center (JIC)

In turn, we have asked the Zones for the following cooperation:

• Conduct a needs assessment for crisis and emergency risk communication.
• Develop a crisis/emergency risk communication plan, including determining audiences such as elected officials, partner agencies, internal staff, and mainstream and vulnerable populations in the community.
• Determine the functions needed to carry out the plan.
• Determine the resources needed to carry out the plan.
• Prepare and train the team to carry out the plan.
• Coordinate with Public Health before releasing information about the outbreak or isolation and quarantine procedures.
• Preserve the confidentiality of people in isolation and quarantine.