# Presentation: 819915

## Improving EPI Through Training and Drills

- Presented by:
- Darrell M. Lankford
- Consultant

## The Problem

- Emergency Public Information (EPI) is the “Red Headed Step-Child of Emergency Preparedness”
- Everyone thinks they are an EPI expert when they don’t even have a clue
- No one is willing to be the “Champion” of a longtime “Whipping Boy”

## The Results

- EPI is most likely to fail in drills and exercises
- EPI Personnel become discouraged, disheartened, and despondent.  Not willing to go the extra mile
- Most EPI responders have been active responders for years and are burned out
- There are only a few of them at most sites

## The Solution

- Treat EPI Responders like you treat other Responders---with respect and high performance expectations
- Provide EPI Responders with the tools they need to be successful
- Provide them with opportunities to practice and work under pressure

## The Solution (Cont.)

- Examples of how to challenge EPI Responders:
- Insist that one or two of the EPI Responders be part of the Drill and Exercise Design Committee
- Let them develop/select the objectives that fit the areas that need improvement
- Provide them with meaningful training

## The Solution(Cont.)

- 4. Involve them in functional, hands on, stop-action drills that will hone their skills:
- 		Telephone Team (TT) Drills
- 		News Writer Drills
- 		Equipment Drills
- EP folks don’t pay enough attention to this type of training.

## The Solution(Cont.)

- 5**. **Make sure TTs have all of the materials they need to be successful and that they are frequently updated, e.g. Telephone Team (TTs) Resource Books, Realistic Rules for TTs (Most Telephone Teams across the DOE System have their Hands Tied by procedures/process)

## Telephone Team Training(Example)

- (2 Hours)
- Rumor Identification
- Dealing with hostile, irrational, and emotional citizen and media calls received by the Media and Citizens Telephone Team Members
- How to properly and accurately record rumors and using the proper forms

## Telephone Team Training(Example Cont.)

- How to identify rumors generated by the electronic media
- Why does the media use rumors and how do they originate
- Properly and accurately reporting rumors and tracking them to resolution
- Who is responsible for rumor control and how do they ensure that responsibility is carried out properly

## Telephone Team Training(Example Cont.)

- Telephone Teams/Media Monitoring drills using a scenario and inaccurate information being reported via the media and citizens
- How rumor control can help prevent misinformation from impacting public health and safety

## Telephone Team Training(Example Cont.)

- This course should be attended by anyone involved in the rumor identification, reporting, and tracking.

## How to Beat the Clock with News Release Development

- Provide Pre-formatted, Pre-scripted, EPHA Based NRs and Backgrounders
- Provide a well oiled NR approval process
- Ensure all EOC Senior Managers can spell EPI and understand Why it is important
- Ensure ED, CM, etc. do not try to become editors with the NRs

## How to Beat the Clock with News Release Development 

- Ensure Writers have multiple opportunities to use the Software and Hardware they will be using to create the NRs
- Provide multiple opportunities for them to practice their skills
- PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE just like  other Responders, Fire, EMS, Dose Assessment, etc.

## Conclusion

- Most EPI Responder do not hear the results of the Exercise except through the “grapevine”
- Provide an opportunity for site EP Managers to meet with EPI Responders and let them hear EPI Exercise findings from you
- Ask the EPI Responders to find their own solutions to Objectives Not Met or Areas of Improvement

## Questions?