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Use this script for addressing the public during a time of crisis

Emergency Management Alert, January 15, 2008

What do you say to calm the public at the onset of a disaster? (Or when you can't get hold of the person who's supposed to know what to say?)

Here's a sample announcement from the publication Communicating in the First Hours, created by the Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CDC. This is for a bioterrorism event. Templates for other situations can be found here.

1. Please pay close attention. This is an urgent health message from [your public health agency].

2. Officials [emergency, public health, etc.] believe there has been a serious incident [describe incident including time and location] in [xxx] area.

3. At this time, we do not know the cause or other details about the incident.

4. Local officials are investigating and will work with state and federal officials to provide updated information as soon as possible.

5. Stay informed and follow the instructions of health officials so you can protect yourself, your family, and your community against this public health threat.

6. Give specific information about when and how the next update will be given

When more information is known, additional messages can be added about what is happening, the specific terrorist agent, the actions people should take to protect themselves and others, and where to go for more information, says the CDC.

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