As I have been working on my crisis communication project, I wonder how people in history dealt with crisis situations. Did they have as many crises as we have seen now days?
It’s amazing how much we have come to rely on technology. We are very fortunate to be able to communicate a crisis through so many different ways. Some of the methods used during our flooding here in Wahpeton were: television stations- channels 4/6/11/10, Wahpeton and Fargo newspapers including the online editions, Wahpeton/Fergus Falls, MN/ Fargo radio stations and word of mouth. At the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) we also used our Web site, emails and the NotiFind System. All these various ways of communication made it easy for us to know what was happening no matter where we were.
The NotiFind System that NDSCS has started using this past year is a great crisis communication tool. Through this system we are contacted by telephone, cell phone, text messages and email of school openings or closings, emergencies, etc. The one drawback is that students, faculty and staff have to register with the system themselves. Unfortunately, we have a few that haven’t done this so they don’t get the needed information as quickly as everyone else. Also, I got a phone call at 5 a.m. one morning when they cancelled school for the day, but I knew then that I could sleep in!
These same communication systems helped us all across the state of North Dakota. Those communities needing volunteer help depended upon the communication system to help them deal with their crisis. It was great to see in the news all the good people out there helping each other. Volunteers from other states even came, which goes to show how effective the crisis communication system can be.
We here in the U.S. are very fortunate to have the communication tools, volunteers, and even financial assistance to get through a crisis. When I look at other countries and the damage they sometimes never fully recover from or they take a very long time to recover, we are very blessed here.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Crisis Communication in Wahpeton, ND
In Wahpeton we were very fortunate this year as far as flooding issues. We did have a few issues and lots of overland flooding, but right in town we were well taken care of. After the last few floods, we finally received funding to help build dikes and a diversion on the Breckenridge, MN side. Our city leaders have learned a great deal over the years as far as communication and planning and this year everything seemed to work pretty smoothly.
The city asked for volunteers for filling sandbags and also helping sandbag homes. Calls for volunteers came over the radio, television and even emails through the NDSCS campus. This seemed to be very effective.
May boys and I went to Breckenridge, MN one morning and filled sandbags. I was very surprised how well organized a system they had. The operation seemed to be running very smoothly and there were plenty of bags to meet the needs of the community. The Salvation Army was also there offering lunch to workers.
We stayed on the Wahpeton side in the afternoon and sandbagged homes there. There were many calls for assistance in the surrounding communities. The city had school buses transporting volunteers to areas. Buses were taking volunteers all over the area to help reduce unneeded traffic. Also, there were many washed out roads so travelers needed to be cautious.
The dike prevented a lot of flooding this year. The Chahinkapa Zoo has a portion of the dike running through it. They had to move the animals from the one side of the dike to the other. The animals were always safe and did not have to be moved very far.
Our Chahinkapa park system was also spared by the dike. In past years, before the dikes, our park was totally flooded. Since my husband is the park superintendent, it was very nice not to have to worry too much about flooding down there. Of course, on the north side of Wahpeton where we have “The Whopper” (our big catfish) and have a campground, got flooded. We do not have a dike at that area, but damage is very minimal in that area.
It was so nice to see all the volunteers and teamwork in the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area. Early preparation and good communication played a very positive part in fighting the flood successfully.
The city asked for volunteers for filling sandbags and also helping sandbag homes. Calls for volunteers came over the radio, television and even emails through the NDSCS campus. This seemed to be very effective.
May boys and I went to Breckenridge, MN one morning and filled sandbags. I was very surprised how well organized a system they had. The operation seemed to be running very smoothly and there were plenty of bags to meet the needs of the community. The Salvation Army was also there offering lunch to workers.
We stayed on the Wahpeton side in the afternoon and sandbagged homes there. There were many calls for assistance in the surrounding communities. The city had school buses transporting volunteers to areas. Buses were taking volunteers all over the area to help reduce unneeded traffic. Also, there were many washed out roads so travelers needed to be cautious.
The dike prevented a lot of flooding this year. The Chahinkapa Zoo has a portion of the dike running through it. They had to move the animals from the one side of the dike to the other. The animals were always safe and did not have to be moved very far.
Our Chahinkapa park system was also spared by the dike. In past years, before the dikes, our park was totally flooded. Since my husband is the park superintendent, it was very nice not to have to worry too much about flooding down there. Of course, on the north side of Wahpeton where we have “The Whopper” (our big catfish) and have a campground, got flooded. We do not have a dike at that area, but damage is very minimal in that area.
It was so nice to see all the volunteers and teamwork in the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area. Early preparation and good communication played a very positive part in fighting the flood successfully.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
