Emergency Support Functions Paper

Communications is fundamental in any plan. During terrorist incidents it crucial to get accurate information to the public. This information allows for individuals to make well-informed decisions in times of disaster. Research has shown according to Newman and Clarke (2008), that the victims of sudden disasters do not panic and if they do, the panic is short-lived. Rather, victims try to help each other. Emergency managers need the media to explain to the public the current situation as it is happening, although during a disaster a growing number of people get their news from social media. “This is why major disaster management centers maintain close links with the press: to make sure that the coverage is accurate, that it does not exaggerate

the failure, and that it does not add to the problems faced by first responders” (Newman & Clarke, 2008, p. 124). This discussion will focus on the government’s response to the media during a terrorist event and the media’s role during the SARS breakout.
If an incident arises, that 's too big for local or tribal agencies to render proper response capabilities the federal and state governments organize to provide core capabilities.

Emergency Support Functions (ESF) supports the standard core capabilities: planning, public information and warning, and operational coordination (DHS, 2016). Since this is dealing primarily with the media ESF #15, External Affairs will coordinate the release of accurate, timely, and accessible public information to affected audiences and it works in close collaboration with state and local officials to ensure outreach to the whole community (DHS, 2016). By using the media, the government can reach all the affected people in the incident. In response to terrorist threats, FBI will establish a Joint Operations Center for the purpose of managing the investigation and coordinate the law enforcement response to resolve terrorist threats or incidents(DHS, 2016, p. 51). Furthermore, the Lead Federal Agency (LFA) will establish a Joint Information Center, which is led by the LFA's Public Information Officer, as the focal point for the coordination and provision of information to the public and media concerning the Federal response to the emergency(U.S Department of Justice,1999). This coordination will allow for the federal government to get accurate information to the public using the media and to limit the false

information.
Here are two examples of how government emergency managers used media during the SARS outbreak of 2003 in China and Singapore. During the first SARS epidemic in China, the Chinese government sought to support news media blackouts, which not only prevented the general public from receiving information, it also prevented healthcare workers from obtaining general information as well (Chamblee, 2013, p.32). When the outbreak started, the hospitals thought that it was a type of pneumonia. As more cases came in the Ministry of Health was reporting that there were only 12 cases in the capital city and there was only an increase of 22 cases and four deaths( Kaufman, 2006). It was later reported that there was a total of 5,327 cases with 349 deaths in China (Chamblee, 2013). The entire time that the crisis was going on the Chinese government only used the media to put out misinformation to the public. This action created a mistrust of government, the healthcare community, and media. On the other hand, the SARS breakout in Singapore was upfront with the public and used the media to help stop the spread of SARS. Singapore used a dedicated television channel to ensure information was available to the whole community (Chamblee, 2013).
I cannot reiterate enough how important the media is to effective communication during any disaster for an emergency manager. As you can see when used appropriately, it can give a positive outcome to the community. On the contrary, the chaos and panic that is portrayed in the wake of a disaster are largely a creation of the media.