The document outlines Fairfax County's communication strategies for emergency situations, emphasizing the role of the Joint Information Center (JIC) in coordinating information dissemination to the public and stakeholders. It provides guidance on how to stay informed before, during, and after emergencies through various digital platforms and resources. Additionally, it includes advice on maintaining personal preparedness and accessing emergency alerts and updates.

1. Staying Connected
Before…
During…
And After…
Emergency Events

2.  According to the Fairfax County
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), the
Office of Public Affairs is in charge of
coordinating communications
whenever there are more than two
county agencies involved.
How We Operate

3. PIO - Part of Command Staff
Joint Information Systems

4. Field PIO’sJIC Staff
JIC Coordinator
Public Information
Officer
PIO Structure

5.  A JIC supports the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) and field PIO(s) at the incident scene.
 The JIC is the physical location within the
EOC from which external affairs professionals from
organizations involved in the response and
recovery work together to provide critical
emergency information, media response and public
affairs functions.
 Fairfax County’s JIC is established at, or virtually
connected to, the EOC through Emergency Support
Function (ESF) 15 (Office of Public Affairs).
Joint Information Center (JIC)

6.  The JIC coordinates the release of
information to the public, media, employees
and other stakeholders about the county’s
disaster response and recovery efforts.
 A JIC is the central point for coordination of
incident information, public affairs activities
and media access regarding the incident.
 The JIC coordinates and supervises all staff
assigned as assistant information officers and
their activities.
Joint Information Center (JIC)

7. 7
JIC personnel write
news releases,
talking points, FAQs,
update website/blog
and social media
content, support field
PIO(s), handle
media relations and
more from the Joint
Information Center.
Joint Information Center (JIC)

8. • Before an Emergency
• Sign up for emergency blog by email or RSS.
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog
• County website (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency)
• Sign up for emergency alerts (email and text).
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean
• “Emergency Preparedness” newsletter
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/outreach/newsletter.htm
Staying Informed

9. • Before an Emergency
• Follow our social media (Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube, Flickr, etc.) channels.
• Stay in tune with weather forecasts via NOAA
Weather Radio
• Tune in to Fairfax County Government Radio
(www.fairfaxcounty.gov/radio)
• Digital preparedness
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/digital-preparedness-kit.htm
Staying Informed

10. • Digital Preparedness
• Save important phone numbers to your phone.
• Learn how to send updates via text and internet from your
mobile phone to your contacts and social channels in case
voice communications are not available. Avoid calling.
• Keep charged batteries and car phone chargers available
as back-up power for your cellphone.
• Conserve your cellphone battery by reducing the
brightness of your screen, placing your phone in airplane
mode, and closing apps you are not using that draw power.
Staying Informed

11. • During an Emergency
• Emergency Information Blog
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog
• County website (www.fairfaxcounty.gov &
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency)
• Fairfax County Government Radio
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/radio
• Follow our social media channels.
Staying Informed

12. • After an Emergency
• Emergency Information Blog
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog
• NewsWire
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news
• Social media channels
• 30 preparedness tips
http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com/prepare-30-ways-in-30-days
Staying Informed

13. • Tools
• Emergency Information Blog
(www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog)
• County website
www.fairfaxcounty.gov, the emergency Web page
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency and the mobile
(m.fairfaxcounty.gov) site
• Current weather forecast
(www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/weather-forecast.htm)
Tools for Staying Informed

14. • Tools
• Twitter (www.Twitter.com/fairfaxcounty)
• Facebook (www.Facebook.com/fairfaxcounty)
• YouTube (www.YouTube.com/fairfaxcountygov)
Preparedness Playlist:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL93DBD2AE7EED3BC1
• Emergency phone numbers
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/emergency-phone-numbers.htm
Tools for Staying Informed

15. • Tools
• Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/wireless-emergency-alerts.htm
• Fairfax County Government Radio
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/radio
• Emergency Information Hotline (703-817-7771)
• County app (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/mobile)
Staying Informed

16. • Additional Resources
• Office of Emergency
Management “Emergency
Preparedness” newsletter
(monthly)
• “Health and Safety”
podcast
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts
Staying Informed
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/outreach/newsletter.htm

17. • Additional Resources
• Emergency Road Conditions and Maps
VDOT Snow Plowing and VDOT Road Conditions |
County Road Hazards & Closures | Emergency Routes |
County Roads that Typically Flood
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/roads
• Capital Region Updates
www.capitalregionupdates.gov
Staying Informed

18. • Additional Resources
• Ready (www.ready.gov)
• Ready Virginia (www.readyvirginia.gov)
• Ready NoVa – online family and business
emergency planners (http://readynova.org)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
www.fema.gov
Staying Informed