I think Arnold the Governator did a good job addressing the public in these press releases. His quotes showed great leadership and commitment to succeeding. The release was also informative giving information about how many agencies were working on controlling the fires and the amount of resources these agencies had to get the job done. I read the number of tankers and fire engines and felt a bit of reassurance they are doing everything they can to improve the situation. The press release also informed the public of severity of the fires and not downplaying the situation by taking precaution evacuating the public in some areas.
The press release that addressed the recovery was good as well. They give facts on what the government is doing to help providing medical assistance and transportation. It showed more of the governors’ commitments to his community even after the flames are out helping them with a 10,000 dollar grant. However the information about how to receive the grant could have been clearly defined not just stating FEMA forwards the application after you get FEMAs maximum help. I ask how much is their maximum help? How many families are estimated to receive this grant? Maybe this 10,000 will only affect 20 homeowner’s max if that’s the case I am not impressed with the grant.
Overall the press releases are well written, informative, show commitment, and have a great situational awareness.
Thanks,
John Cunningham
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Hurricane Katrina: What are the Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
Hurricane Katrina's Flooding Contaminated Groundwater:
Household hazardous wastes, pesticides, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals created a witch's brew of flood water that quickly seeped down into and contaminated groundwater across hundreds of miles. "The range of toxic chemicals that may have been released is extensive," says Johns Hopkins University of environmental health sciences professor Lynn Goldman. "We're talking about metals, persistent chemicals, solvents, materials that have numerous potential health impacts over the long term."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers Hurricane Katrina the biggest disaster it has ever had to handle. According to Hugh Kaufman, an EPA senior analyst, environmental regulations in place to prevent the types of discharges that occurred during Hurricane Katrina were not enforced, making what would have been a bad situation much worse.
The reason for the environmental disaster during Hurricane Katrina was that environmental regulations were not at a high priority. But how could environmental regulations be on any ones mind when a catastrophe like this occurs. How do you balance a catastrophe such as this one as wll as environmental regulations. That is something the EPA will have to plan for future crises such as this one.
Household hazardous wastes, pesticides, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals created a witch's brew of flood water that quickly seeped down into and contaminated groundwater across hundreds of miles. "The range of toxic chemicals that may have been released is extensive," says Johns Hopkins University of environmental health sciences professor Lynn Goldman. "We're talking about metals, persistent chemicals, solvents, materials that have numerous potential health impacts over the long term."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers Hurricane Katrina the biggest disaster it has ever had to handle. According to Hugh Kaufman, an EPA senior analyst, environmental regulations in place to prevent the types of discharges that occurred during Hurricane Katrina were not enforced, making what would have been a bad situation much worse.
The reason for the environmental disaster during Hurricane Katrina was that environmental regulations were not at a high priority. But how could environmental regulations be on any ones mind when a catastrophe like this occurs. How do you balance a catastrophe such as this one as wll as environmental regulations. That is something the EPA will have to plan for future crises such as this one.
ETM494 --- Crisis Communications Analysis
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Additional Assistance for Fire Victims
From: The Office of the Governor
Released: October 27, 2007
Despite major calamities to the ecosystem, public and private lands and infrastructure due to the fires, the recorded disaster estimates provide evidence of preparedness and situational awareness; in a press-release initiated by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 27, 2007, just a few days after the initial wildfires. Fortunately, the number of casualties and injuries documented were significantly trivial in comparison to the environmental crisis they had faced. Inevitably, the strategies and functions of California's emergency management team effectively provided the public with accurate information, evacuation efforts and aide to prevent the loss of human lives and reduce the amount of injuries.
In specific, Governor Schwarzenegger exemplified leadership commitment throughout the mishaps of the disaster by prioritizing customer focus, stimulating mitigation and having an adequate emergency response plan. His press-releases in response to the events were concise, empathetic and informative. He also appeared and attended news conferences and interviews in order to alleviate statewide panic and passionately kept the citizens of California thoroughly informed. There was one thing the wildfires couldn't turn to ashes: hope and a sense of optimism.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also played a vital role in the recovery process from the incident by awarding grants and funds of up to $10,000 for all victims that had damage to household property, transportation and health care as a direct result of the fires. Opportunities on obtaining governmental resources were clearly outlined in the press-release for the public to take advantage of.
Overall, the press-release was helpful, believably credible and successful in the effort to detain the fires along with eliminating any potential or proceeding risks associated with the disaster. In order to sustain awareness and execute emergency operations, the key is to be educated and willing to promote education throughout society in general.
“California stands ready to provide victims all the assistance they need to get their lives back on track. Even after the fires are extinguished, we will still be here to help fire victims in need.”
-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Three-Mile Island's Legacy
“Three Mile Island 29 Years Later: Nuclear Safety Problems Still Unresolved”
This press release expresses safety concerns related to the recent momentum towards constructing new nuclear power plants in the
My main comment focuses on details. I tend to be a “splitter” and not a “lumper”. I usually want to know much more about and item of interest I read. The level of detail I want is not necessarily conducive to an effective press release. In this case the press release should have provided links to unbiased historical information and current studies. The lack of detailed information makes release seem to be more emotional than technical. The fact that the release was posted on the
The press release could have cited a recent article or other source that demonstrated the current momentum for new power plan construction as a counter point and need for action. The release could also have reviewed some of important facts of the
The Press release should have at least laid out some goals to improve safe operation of existing facilities and to ensure safe operation of new facilities. It may have even pointed out ones which should be phase out – i.e.
My last comment has to do with coverage. My Google search only revealed 34 sites listing the title of this press release – and none was a major newspaper. I only got 3 sites where the Google search engine picked up specific unique phrases from the release. I am surprised that the story did not receive much wider attention, especially with the recent attention to non-fossil fuel energy sources and concerns about organized terrorism.
Three Mile Island
After reading the Three Mile Island 29 Years Later: Nuclear Safety Problems Still Unresolved I was astonished by how people aren't taking more precautions in nuclear power plants. One would think that if there is a meltdown at a power plant that people would go in and look at what went wrong and then do what they could to prevent it from happening again. If people only knew what was going on in power plants in their communities I'm sure there would be plenty of petitions to shut down these plants.
Not fixing safety problems is a major issue and they definitely need to be addressed and fixed in nuclear power plants. Just about every time there is a major issue that happens in this world people come up with ways to stop it. For example, after 9/11 happened airport security was increased and rules became stricter about what a person can bring on a plane and all that security was increased because a couple of planes flew into some buildings. Now I'm not saying that 9/11 wasn't a big deal and that we should be concentrating more on power plants than airport security, but the odds of having another nuclear power plant meltdown has a higher chance of happening again than another 9/11 attack.
When it comes to things breaking down in a nuclear power plant they should be replaced instead of finding alternative ways to deal with it. I bet if the nuclear power plant workers would have replaced the cooling systems valves, that had broken 10 times prior to the meltdown, then maybe the meltdown of the three mile island would not have happened.
Not fixing safety problems is a major issue and they definitely need to be addressed and fixed in nuclear power plants. Just about every time there is a major issue that happens in this world people come up with ways to stop it. For example, after 9/11 happened airport security was increased and rules became stricter about what a person can bring on a plane and all that security was increased because a couple of planes flew into some buildings. Now I'm not saying that 9/11 wasn't a big deal and that we should be concentrating more on power plants than airport security, but the odds of having another nuclear power plant meltdown has a higher chance of happening again than another 9/11 attack.
When it comes to things breaking down in a nuclear power plant they should be replaced instead of finding alternative ways to deal with it. I bet if the nuclear power plant workers would have replaced the cooling systems valves, that had broken 10 times prior to the meltdown, then maybe the meltdown of the three mile island would not have happened.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Katrina: Who's To Blame?
What happened to the citizens, tax payers, law abiding humans living in Louisiana during the Hurricane Katrina travesty? Where was the help? What happened to the help that was promised by former President Bush? What was the mayor, governor, and state officials thinking 3 days prior to the Hurricane?
A lot of families perished in this horrific incident and all they and the rest of America heard was blame on the "other guy" after the incident. So, who is really to blame? In a report by factcheck.org, a report was generated stating that there was a storm approaching and in the event it should touch Mississippi and Louisiana, there will be devastating results. The report also stated that there should be ample time allotted for evacuation. However, 2 days prior to Katrina, the evacuation was issued.
Do we fault FEMA (who initially reported the possible damage), the citizens of Louisiana, the President, the officials of Louisiana?
While everyone is blaming everyone, the main focus is being lost in all of this; the people. It did not matter who should have reacted first, who should be held responsible; the citizens of Louisiana were dying, hungry, thirsty, afraid, and without hope. There should have been reaction regardless of responsibility to because they are human and we have an innate responsibility to the classification of human. The people of Louisiana had a natural right to expect and receive help; not 3 or more days after the fact but much sooner.
After reading about what was said and done about Katrina, I felt that sensitivity and reaction was lacking from the officials and responsible parties. The report gave sufficient information for a novice to understand the various dynamics of the Katrina incident so that drawing a personal conclusion would be accurate.
Katrina: An Exercise in Sensationalism
Two weeks prior to the drowning of the French Quarter, I was touring the cobblestone streets marvelling at the unique melting pot of culture, art and architecture that is New Orleans. The local pubs and restaurants were all buzzing about how oppresively humid the weather had been, even for the notroiously damp Louisiana. It still gives me chills to think that if I had postponed my flight and stayed in the city, as I had wanted, I would've been caught in the middle of the destructive path of Hurricane Katrina. Imagine my shock as I returned home to Arizona to discover the hotel I had slept in mere days earlier was now submerged. Surreal to say the least.
As the "reports" poured in about the immense failure of FEMA and the local government, like many Americans, I became concerned, frustrated, then furious. How could the rescuers leave people behind? Why was there a shortage of emergency responders? Why couldn't the National Guard establish order inside the supposed refuge of the Superdome?
Much like a terrible reality television program, scenes of the destruction and aftermath were cut to appear as though nothing was being done. People who didn't leave the flooded areas were not left behind, they chose to stay. And those who remained and were seen "looting" were, in majority, taking supplies necessary to survive (i.e. food, water, etc.).
I was shocked to discover that on the streets of New Orleans, during the chaos, there was not a single murder commited. Reporters and anchors would have us believe that anarchy ruled the day in the parrishes. Even more surprising was the actual response effort was the largest and fastest rescue effort in U.S. history. Applause are due to those who helped in the aid.
The only thing I can truly comment on is the responsibility of our national news providers. We live in an age where an idea can travel the globe in seconds. The ability to send and receive information is a great, and terrible power for any individual. That being said, I feel that while the response to Hurricane Katrina may not have remedied the situation as quickly as people had hoped, the circumstances were exasperated by overly passionate reporters and news anchors.
During a national crisis such as this, we all have a responsibility to assist our fellow americans. For example, I was working for a large food chain at the time pf Katrina and our organization donated hundreds of tons of food products to those affected by the destruction. The least that those who deliver information all over america could have done was support responders, not cut them down from behind a microphone. Those who were in the trenches, fighting to help surivors and the people of New Orleans deserve better than being painted as contributors to an exercise in anarchy following a disaster.
-Cameron
As the "reports" poured in about the immense failure of FEMA and the local government, like many Americans, I became concerned, frustrated, then furious. How could the rescuers leave people behind? Why was there a shortage of emergency responders? Why couldn't the National Guard establish order inside the supposed refuge of the Superdome?
Much like a terrible reality television program, scenes of the destruction and aftermath were cut to appear as though nothing was being done. People who didn't leave the flooded areas were not left behind, they chose to stay. And those who remained and were seen "looting" were, in majority, taking supplies necessary to survive (i.e. food, water, etc.).
I was shocked to discover that on the streets of New Orleans, during the chaos, there was not a single murder commited. Reporters and anchors would have us believe that anarchy ruled the day in the parrishes. Even more surprising was the actual response effort was the largest and fastest rescue effort in U.S. history. Applause are due to those who helped in the aid.
The only thing I can truly comment on is the responsibility of our national news providers. We live in an age where an idea can travel the globe in seconds. The ability to send and receive information is a great, and terrible power for any individual. That being said, I feel that while the response to Hurricane Katrina may not have remedied the situation as quickly as people had hoped, the circumstances were exasperated by overly passionate reporters and news anchors.
During a national crisis such as this, we all have a responsibility to assist our fellow americans. For example, I was working for a large food chain at the time pf Katrina and our organization donated hundreds of tons of food products to those affected by the destruction. The least that those who deliver information all over america could have done was support responders, not cut them down from behind a microphone. Those who were in the trenches, fighting to help surivors and the people of New Orleans deserve better than being painted as contributors to an exercise in anarchy following a disaster.
-Cameron
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