Topic 3: Communications

Overview

The aim of this topic is to enhance your understanding of the communication systems, processes and arrangements that were in place prior to your selected emergency/disaster event occurring. In addition, you should be able to identify and analyse any problems associated with the communication systems, processes and arrangements that may have had a bearing on the effectiveness of the emergency management arrangements for your event.

In reviewing the available historical data for your event, it will become apparent that there are primarily two determining factors within the emergency communications area, namely:

• communications systems (technology, hardware etc.); and
• people (perception/procedures/processes/planning/arrangements).

Throughout this topic you will need to examine both of these factors in relation to the preparedness of the community and the emergency management agencies that were involved in your selected event.

Learning outcomes

After completing the work for this topic, you should be able to:

• identify and list the communication systems, processes and arrangements that were in place during the pre-impact phase of your selected event;
• understand the principles of communication;
• identify communication systems, plans, processes and arrangements that existed within the pre-impact phase of your selected events
• Identify how legal lines of authority impact upon the communication systems, plans, processes and arrangements
• Assess, analyse and evaluate the communication systems, plans, processes and arrangements within the pre-impact phase of your event.