Most crisis communication research to date has focused on organizational contexts and the need for organizations to plan for crises. This discussion, however, focuses on personal and familial preparedness practices in three countries. Suggestions for future preparations, such as family preparedness planning, 72 hour kits, and community involvement, are discussed. Also analyzed are motivations for preparation, including civic suggestions and religious community encouragement.
Personal and familial crisis communication before and during
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Editor's Notes
Read Abstract
As mentioned earlier, this study is based on a larger research project which included fieldwork in several communities in Guyana, the Phuket Province in Thailand, and New Orleans, Louisiana. The research seeks to better prepare people as they face natural disasters and calamities.A key line of inquiry was on how disasters and preparation are socially constructed based on standpoints and cultural beliefs.
The following Three factors motivated us to conduct this study:Governmental agencies seem both unable to adequately anticipate immediate and long-term needs of those afflicted by disasters.We observed different interpretations of disaster and crisis events, based on culture. We recognized a need to learn lessons from groups who prepared their members.
This research is based on phenomenological inquiry. It takes a qualitative approach to both data collection and exploration. This allows individuals from the regions we explore to share their experiences with us and we, in turn, chronicle the theme which emerge from out of our exploration.
This approach is discovery orientedIt seeks to study phenomenon in an open, non restrictive manner.It focuses on the study of persons and their experiencesThe focus is on actual conscious experiences instead of hypotetical situations or incidents.
The literature on crisis and risk communication focuses on organizations and public relations practitioners can effectively use communication to manage crisis.
Crisis communication theories are relatively new. Crisis communication studies were first implemented after the 1962 U.S. - Cuban missile conflict prompted researchers to look at groupthink outcomes, game theory in decision making, and scenario planning.
Study addressingpersonal preparedness for crises or calamities or theories which explain or predict how organizations can help their individual members prepare for the same events are now emerging.
Read Slide
Read Slide
To ensure rigor, we triangulated findings from interviews, focus group, and media accounts Discussed our findings with our co-researcher to ensure that we highlighted concepts deemed most important and intended.
First, source credibility affects perceptions of crisis communication and perceptions of source credibility appear to be culturally based. In Guyana and New Orleans individuals appear less likely to consider government sources credible. Second, many believe that the government caused (or could have prevented) the disaster.Third, the disaster was mismanaged and aid was not allocated appropriately. Informants believed that great disparity existed between reports of donation from the international community and resources available in their communities.Fourth, working in social networks helps but is a poor model for non governmental organizations.Fifth, people think that they should prepare but don't.The experience varies for everyone. While disasters affect women and men differently it's difficult to assess which group was affected more or less. Women often emerged as community leaders, seeking creative solutions to solve problems resulting from the disaster.Finally, the type of disaster and its location may affect the type of aid and media coverage it receives.