Using The Web for Emergency Communications Chip Harman

1
Communications When It's Needed Most

• Using The Web for Emergency CommunicationsChip
  Harman
• VHA Web Communications

2
Web Emergencies

• There is no such thing as an emergency on the
  web
• No longer true
• Requires shift in resources, changes in plans
  Late hours, longer hours, immediate actions

3
Internet as News Provider

• Internet has become a significant source for news

http//pewresearch.org/pubs/1066/internet-overtake
s-newspapers-as-news-source
4
Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna, and Ike

• National Emergencies
• Impact
• Regions
• Multiple Agencies
• Timing Generally Known for Hurricanes
• Never Convenient
• Holiday, Weekends, After Hours

5
Make It Work

• Communication Strategy
• Medical Center websites
• VA websites (VA and VHA home)
• Employee Information Database
• Federal Coordination
• DHS leads
• Interagency lanes
• Defines responsibilities
• Prevents duplication, overlap

6
Web Site Preparation

• Local planning generally done (but not for web)
• VHAs Communication plan
• Call Center (800 number)
• Local Medical Center plans
• Joint Operation Command (emergency mgmt)
• Who are they?
• Ground planning
• Now include web notifications
• Employee information

7
Not an Afterthought The Web Site

• Technical and Content updates
• Automatic or Manual?
• Emergency responsiveness
• Local, VISN or CO control?
• 24 hour coverage

8
Other Emergencies

• Potential
• Inauguration
• Impact Zone-Broad
• Actual
• Snow Storm
• Impact Zone
• Local (one MC)
• Flood
• Impact Zone
• Local or National

9
VHA Web Strategy - VHA Home Pageand Key Points
of Entry
Announcement Bar
Notification Box
Federal
Database
VA Impact
10
Medical Center Emergency Page
11
Medical Center Emergency Page

• Fargo VAMC Last week

12
Medical Center Emergency Page

• Fargo VAMC Web Site Usage Doubled

13
http//www.va.gov/emergency
Federal Resource Widget (Required)
VA Resources
VA Status Database Entry
VISN VAMCs impacted by emergency
Weather Widget (NOAA)
14
Employee Database Features

• Contains required information
• Synchronized with Call Center
• Secure
• Timely
• Easy to use
• Easy to find

15
Employee InfoDatabase Reports
Separate Log-In
Reports every 12 hours
Reports generated every 12 hours 6am-6pm Reviewed
and sent to JOC and VISN
On-demand Master Report
16
http//www.va.gov/emergencyNormal Operations
VA Resources
Federal Resource Widget (Required)
17
Success

• Emergency Plans
• Require a Strategy
• Local, Regional, National
• Before, During, After
• Know who is in Charge

18
Emergency Templates
19
So Whats Next

• Electronic Media Advisory Board Template
• Field input
• Minimum Content Standard
• Require Emergency page for Medical Centers
• Stays up
• -Current information
• Local updates
• Questions?