Communications and Crisis Management in the Post 9/11 Period

Like many of you, I am deluged today by memories of September 11, 2001.  All my telephones ringing at once.  Neighborhood schools on lockdown.  Huddling on the couch with my family as we watched hours of mind-blowing and life-altering events unfold on television.  On television.  9/11 happened before the advent and ubiquity of social media.  It was pre-Facebook, pre-Twitter, pre-Instagram. 

Today, emergencies, crises and disasters - manmade or natural - occur with a panoply of media available to interlopers and bystanders.  Without a plan for media management and rules set forth by an organization's leadership well in advance, social media may interfere with or complicate life-saving efforts.  I share the wisdom of Bo Mitchell, President of 911 Consulting:

 



 

911 Consulting is the nation's leader in emergency planning and training for workplaces. Founder and President Bo Mitchell, CEM, CPP, CBCP, CAS, CSI-ML, HSEEP, MOAB, CHCM, CHSP, CHS-V, CSSM, CSHM, CFC, CIPS, CSC, CESCO, IAC, TFCT3, CERT, CMC, CHEP, served as Police Commissioner of Wilton, Connecticut for sixteen years.  He retired in 2001 to establish 911 Consulting with the mission to protect people at their workplaces during emergencies.

Take the Next 90 Seconds to Consider Your Safety, Security and Use of Social Media in a Crisis Situation

On the heels of the terrorist attack in London and the excellent piece, Think Before You Tweet in the Wake of an Attack at www.Wired.com, the words of Bo Mitchell, President of 911 Consulting and Former Police Commissioner in Wilton, Connecticut, are echoing in my head.  If you manage a facility, department or business, or if you work or recreate in one, his counsel will resonate with you and may well help you save your own life and the lives of others in an active shooter scenario, terrorist attack or natural disaster.  Here is an excerpt of my recent interview with him: 

 



To see more of Lisa Bernard's interview with Bo Mitchell visit www.SecuriITyBriefs.Blogspot.com.  To host Bo Mitchell at your next conference, telephone Lisa Bernard at (203) 293-4741 or email  LisaBernard@SecuritySpeak.net.