Disasters can strike with little or no warning. The early April tornadoes that caused massive damage in various regions of Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, are a case in point. It is not a question of if, but when you will be affected by a disaster.
Communication
Communication is critical during disaster situations. When Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida in 2005, it caused billions of dollars in damage, and the death toll was catastrophic. There were massive communication gaps in response to Hurricane Katrina, mainly between state and federal authorities, but also between governmental authorities and the public.
Public Outreach
Educating the public on how to deal with disasters before they strike is essential. But how do you communicate with people who speak a language other than English? One approach is to have the educational materials translated into the languages of the target audience. This is not only a good idea, but it may be required by federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).
Emergency Management
Most major metropolitan areas have local government agencies dedicated to disaster preparation. For instance, the City of Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management has effective examples of educational materials posted on its website. Disaster preparedness information is available in 18 languages other than English, which greatly benefits Seattle’s diverse population.
Action Plan
The following steps can help your communication efforts during a disaster:
- Prepare a communication plan that includes materials in languages other than English.
- Distribute the communication plan to your target audience.
- Establish relationship with vendors, including language service companies, to assist you with disaster preparation and communication.
Preparing a communication plan is crucial for disaster management. If you budget for preparation now, you can save billions of dollars, as well as countless lives, when a disaster strikes.
