1. Governor’s Taskforce for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Issue Paper Communications Workgroup Members Robert Rolfs, State Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health Cody Craynor, Public Information Officer, UDOH Also reviewed by Pandemic Influenza Workgroup

2. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Planning Assumptions ► Simultaneous outbreaks across Utah and U.S.  Limited ability to share resources across jurisdictions ► Prolonged impact - 6-8 weeks in a given community ► Illness rates and absenteeism of 25% or more ► No vaccine for first 6-8 months and shortages after that ► Need for care may exceed capacity of health care system ► Shortages of antiviral medications, antibiotics, infection control and other medical supplies

3. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Background ► Communications are a critical component of emergency/disaster response ► Communications will be critical to assure:  That the public receives, understands and can take action based on messages to reduce personal risk  That individuals and organizations understand how to play a appropriate role in a coordinated community response  Efficient use of limited resources  Consistent application of guidelines and policies across jurisdictions  That public and response partners have realistic expectations

4. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Background (cont.) ► “Communications” includes two distinct, but interrelated components:  Public and risk communications  Operational coordination and communications among response partners ► Communications needs and strategies will vary by pandemic phase.  Pandemic Alert Period / Pandemic Period

5. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Objectives for Taskforce 1. Identify principals to guide public/risk and operational communications (prior to/during) 2. Identify any critical steps that need to be taken now to assure effective response 3. Review current approaches and recommend changes in approach or resource allocation

6. Pandemic Influenza – Communications (Some) Current Activities ► Past activities  2002 Olympic Winter Games  West Nile Response Plan  General and BT preparedness activities at state and local agencies ► Pandemic Influenza Workgroup Activities in progress  Website & regular updates  State & local public health and health care coordination plan  Message development ► Pre-event and for use during event ► Including translation into several languages  Public information/risk communications plan ► Pending activities:  Operational communications and notification plan  Contract to develop paid media and outreach messages  Pandemic influenza drills and exercises (SPHERE) ► Local Health Department Pandemic Preparedness Activities

7. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Concerns ► Existing communications staff and resources would quickly be overwhelmed during a pandemic ► Balancing  Need for consistent messages and actions across jurisdictions with  Need for local flexibility to respond to needs of each community

8. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 1. Values Clearly state values that should govern public and risk communications prior to and during an influenza pandemic, including: ► Communications should be the result of a coordinated effort between involved agencies; ► Communications should be open and honest, describing the reasons for and the process used to make decisions, and should acknowledge uncertainty where it exists; ► Communications should be conducted with the goal of reaching all members of the community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, language, or cultural background; ► A plan must be in place and resources allocated to assure that regular updates are provided to the public prior to and during a pandemic; ► Public information and risk communications should be designed to communicate clear expectations about services that will or will not be available during a pandemic (e.g., regarding the medical care that will be available during a pandemic); ► Special efforts should be made to provide information to all members of the community, including the most vulnerable members, to help them take steps to increase their resiliency and reduce their vulnerability

9. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 2. Public Information as Response Tool ► Public information and risk communication are critical tools for an effective community response and should be considered as part of all critical operational decisions related to the response.

10. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 3. Incident Command ► Incident command structures, lines of communications, and mechanisms to be used for coordinating among partners during a pandemic should be clearly defined and exercised in advance of a pandemic.

11. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 4. Shared Expectations ► Public health agencies, health care providers and other response partners should exchange information about their plans, capabilities and expectations of their partners prior to and during a pandemic

12. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce Summary ► Public Information/Risk Communications:  Establish values that should govern communications  Public information/risk communication as response tools ► Operational communications and coordination:  Establish clear incident command and lines of communication and coordination  Shared expectations among partners in advance

13. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 1. Values Clearly state values that should govern public and risk communications prior to and during an influenza pandemic, including: ► Communications should be the result of a coordinated effort between involved agencies; ► Communications should be open and honest, describing the reasons for and the process used to make decisions, and should acknowledge uncertainty where it exists;

14. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 1. Values (continued) ► Communications should be conducted with the goal of reaching all members of the community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, language, or cultural background; ► A plan must be in place and resources allocated to assure that regular updates are provided to the public prior to and during a pandemic;

15. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 1. Values (continued) ► Public information and risk communications should be designed to communicate clear expectations about services that will or will not be available during a pandemic (e.g., regarding the medical care that will be available during a pandemic); ► Special efforts should be made to provide information to all members of the community, including the most vulnerable members, to help them take steps to increase their resiliency and reduce their vulnerability

16. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 2. Public Information as Response Tool ► Public information and risk communication are critical tools for an effective community response and should be considered as part of all critical operational decisions related to the response.

17. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 3. Incident Command ► Incident command structures, lines of communications, and mechanisms to be used for coordinating among partners during a pandemic should be clearly defined and exercised in advance of a pandemic.

18. Pandemic Influenza – Communications Potential Decisions by Taskforce 4. Shared Expectations ► Public health agencies, health care providers and other response partners should exchange information about their plans, capabilities and expectations of their partners prior to and during a pandemic