Public Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness and Response to
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Version 2

Supplement G: Communication and Education

Appendix G4

CDC Field Communications Liaisons

The CDC response to a major SARS outbreak will take place through CDC's
centralized Emergency Communications System (ECS) and through the
deployment of field communication personnel. The responsibilities of CDC
field personnel are to: 1) inform and advise federal efforts about the
local situation and developments, 2) coordinate federal activities in
such a manner that they do not contradict or otherwise impede local
efforts, and 3) support state and local communication efforts, as
necessary. To facilitate this coordination between state and local
health department personnel and CDC communication personnel, CDC has
designated two critical positions \-- Field Communication Media Liaison
and Field Communication Community Liaison (described below). These two
roles correspond to the media relations and community relations/outreach
response functions described above.

### [CDC Field Communication Media Liaison (FCML)]{.underline}

### Among the activities of the CDC Field Communication Media Liaison are to:

-   Work with state and local officials to facilitate the effective
    management of local communication efforts and the on-site
    communications center

-   Support state/local officials in facilitating the provision and
    management of accurate, timely, and relevant information to the
    public and media (and timely and appropriate responses to errors and
    misinformation)

-   Help enhance state and local communication efforts (e.g., obtain or
    verify information, prepare and debrief subject matter experts)

-   Provide information to the federal (CDC and HHS) communication
    centers regarding local issues and developments, and coordinate
    federal and state/local communication.

-   Serve as the principal CDC media advisor in the field, and assist
    the CDC ECS Leadership Team by serving as a media spokesperson when
    appropriate

-   Assist state and local officials in preparing statements and
    materials to inform the public about a possible or known case of
    SARS-CoV disease in the jurisdiction, explain that health officials
    are working with CDC to confirm or rule-out the diagnosis (or to
    prevent further transmission), and inform the public about measures
    underway to prevent the spread of infection.

-   Work with the lead CDC Center for SARS (NCID) to determine the most
    appropriate messages and timing for the notification of the news
    media and general public and to ensure proper clearance of messages
    and materials

-   Act as CDC representative for coordination with the JIC for factual
    and consistent distribution of information and identification of
    information needs

-   As necessary, help locate authorized public health spokespersons,
    and assist in directing local media to previously identified
    reliable state and local subject matter experts on SARS (e.g., local
    health officers and infectious disease physicians)

-   Assist state and local officials in preparing for media interviews,
    developing media materials, and scheduling and managing media
    interviews. This includes assisting with logistics and working with
    local, state, and local officials to lease space as needed for
    briefings and other communications activities.

-   Provide regular updates to CDC's ECS regarding local developments,
    concerns, and issues.

    [CDC Field Communication Community Liaison (FCCL)]{.underline}

    CDC's communication plans include a Field Communication Community
    Liaison to serve as a CDC community relations advisor in the field.
    This person can assist local/state health department officials and
    work with the ECS in serving as a contact point to local hospitals
    and infectious disease specialists. The liaison can play an
    important role in assisting with communication tasks relevant to the
    implementation of control measures (e.g., use of personal protective
    equipment, isolation and quarantine). The liaison will attend all
    CDC response team meetings and provide updates to the team leader
    and media liaison regarding community outreach and education
    activities.

    As most community relations activities are state and local
    responsibilities, the liaison should coordinate with state and local
    officials to assess the need for assistance. Among the activities of
    the CDC Field Communication Community Liaison are to:

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-   Assist in identifying key community partners, developing and
    maintaining a contact list of these partners, and scheduling and
    participate in daily briefings

-   Assist in the management of the \[local\] Joint Information Center

-   Assist in the management of community outreach staff

-   Assist in coordination and management of training and education
    outreach activities for healthcare professionals

-   Assist with communication and educational activities for quarantined
    persons

-   Participate in daily staff meetings held by the CDC field team
    leader.

-   Send a daily community outreach activity report to the CDC DEOC and,
    if identified, the CDC SARS response team

-   Request the DEOC to send new materials as updated and to provide
    information on new and emerging questions and issues identified from
    hotlines and other sources

-   In coordination with local authorities, maintain a daily log of
    community information activities to facilitate the subsequent
    evaluation of the outbreak response

-   In coordination with local authorities, write, edit, approve, and
    initiate clearance procedures for customized community outreach
    materials. To avoid confusing or contradictory messages, materials
    should be cleared by the JIC, program or content expert, state/local
    health departments.

-   Assist HHS, CDC, and state and local officials in working with state
    and community groups.

For more information, visit
[www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/) or call the
CDC public response hotline\
at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (Español), or (866) 874-2646
(TTY)