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State and Local Government Communicators' Input Needed by DHS by Dec. 20, 2010

NAGC members are asked to respond to the following request from the Department of Homeland Security (posted 12/14/10)

State and local communicators,

As you are well aware, communicating effectively with the public during emergencies is a critical element in a response and can minimize damage and save lives. That is why we need your help with a document prepared by a group of Federal employees with expertise in radiation, communications, and emergency preparedness.

While there is no credible information that indicates current plans to use nuclear material in an attack against the United States, the consequences of such an attack demand that we take steps now to prepare for a response, if one is necessary. The interagency group, led by the White House National Security Staff and Office of Science and Technology Policy, dedicated themselves over the past year to the development of a resource tool to help communicate effectively after a nuclear detonation.

The document, Nuclear Detonation Preparedness: Communicating in the Immediate Aftermath, is designed to be a resource for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials; emergency responders; communicators; and public health officials who will need to communicate with the public and media following a nuclear detonation in the United States. The document contains key messages both for the impacted community and the nation as a whole, and anticipated questions and answers for the period immediately following a nuclear detonation.

The document was approved for INTERIM USE by the Domestic Resilience Group in September 2010. As stated above, it is important to note that this product is not related to any credible threat and is being shared for feedback and planning purposes only.

Before the document is made final, we need feedback from the state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities, who have the primary responsibility for communicating health and safety instructions for the public. The final document will incorporate your feedback as well as results from tests being conducted by the Center for Disease Control to determine how well the messages are understood by the public.

As the first-line users of the resource, your feedback and comments are critical to shape the resource so that it most effective for you. We are open to all comments and suggestions. Please send your comments, using the official comment sheet, to Jessica Wieder, FEMA’s CBRNE Branch, at jessica.wieder@fema.gov no later than Dec. 20, 2010. Jessica’s complete contact information is listed on the last page of the document.

For more information on the document and a companion document, the June 2010 Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation, Second Edition, go to DHS’s Lessons Learned Information Sharing website (www.llis.dhs.gov) at https://www.llis.dhs.gov/docdetails/details.do?contentID=44274. A copy can also be found on the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) on the Emergency Management Portal.

Jessica Wieder
CBRNE Branch
Planning Division - Response Directorate
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

NAGC Survey on Networking Events and New Mentoring Program

NAGC is listening to you! In our winter survey from 2009, nearly 75 percent of our member respondents said that networking was the most important NAGC benefit. At the same time, nearly 43 percent of you said that you would like to see improved networking opportunities. In response to this input, NAGC has hosted three networking events this year, the 2010 Communications School in Bethesda and two networking events in Washington, DC. A fourth networking event will take place on November 11 in Washington, DC.

In addition to these opportunities to interact with fellow government communicators, NAGC began its newest outreach to our industry's up-and-comers by creating the Next Generation Communicators group. We are also interested in launching a mentoring program in 2011, and we're working on beefing up our efforts to share case studies and increase online interaction among NAGC members.

Let us know if we're on the right track! The NAGC board of directors will host its annual board retreat on November 11 and 12, and we've created a new survey where we're once again asking for your input. If you are interested in serving as a mentor or having a mentor, please let us know via the survey or by e-mailing Glen Thomas, NAGC development director, at gthomas@mlgw.org.

The survey can be accessed below:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K88TQJG

Ithaca College Announces Updates to the Online Professional Certificate in Strategic Communication Management

 

In response to feedback from NAGC members, Ithaca College has updated its online professional certificate in Strategic Communication Management. Highlights include:

  • Choose from a flexible menu of 16 seminars representing the breadth and depth of contemporary practice in communications management and allied disciplines
  • Earn a Level 2 certificate by completing only 4 additional seminars
  • Three new seminars in break through areas of practice:
    • Crisis Communication
    • Developing Organizational Knowledge
    • Solving Performance Problems Across Culture
     

In addition to these updates, NAGC and Ithaca College are pleased to offer members the opportunity to enroll in Ithaca’s new online program, the Professional Certificate in Sustainability Leadership.

The Professional Certificate in Sustainability Leadership is designed for practitioners who want to improve their skills in leading and managing sustainability initiatives within their organization.

Please visit www.ithaca.edu/certificates for more information about special offers for NAGC members. Download this news item as a PDF.
 

NAGC's Next Generation of Communicators "The Rising Stars of Government Communications" Mixer

May 11, 2010, BlackFinn DC, Washington, DC

This event was presented by NAGC's Next Generation of Communicators, as an opportunity to network with other young communications professionals, meet new people, make new friends and find out more about the world of communications! As an added benefit, anyone who attended received a complimentary pass to Brad Blake's presentation on "Social Media" at the NAGC 2010 Communication School.

D.C. Rocks!

March 11, 2010, Tonic Restaurant, Washington, DC
A good time was had by all at NAGC's first networking event in too many years! On March 11th, more than 55 members and guests gathered at the Tonic restaurant to eat, drink, talk about life in D.C. and discuss opportunities. Janine Driver, author of "You Say More Than You Think," gave attendees a hilarious preview of her presentation at the 2010 Communications School in May. Didn't make it to this event? Not to worry, everyone agreed this would be the first of many local events!
See more photos here

Winner of Logo Design Contest

NAGC member Marisa Brown and graphic designer Dennis Forbis, Missouri Dept. of Transportation, were winners of the logo design contest for the NAGC 2010 Communications School.