PAGE 9
The New Mexico Modular Emergency Medical System (NM MEMS) Framework
Overview | Contents | Chart | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
PUBLIC INFORMATION (PI)
Summary: NM MEMS-related public information will be provided through the Public Information System established in response to the incident that caused the activation of NM MEMS.
Description: NM MEMS public information preparedness and response functions, tasks, and activities will be carried out through the State’s implementation of the NIMS Public Information System that is part of the existing emergency response infrastructure. During an incident, a Joint Information Center (JIC) will be set up to provide one uniform message to the public. Via the JIC, the Public Information Officer (PIO) and other information officers will develop and distribute to local partners key messages that need to be relayed to the public through the media. Depending on the emergency, the PIO will be able to use messages prepared ahead of time to expedite communication to the public. The JIC, as well as communications through the JIC, will comply with the State’s command and control plan.
Communicating with the public prior to and during an incident is usually tasked
to a Public Information Officer (PIO). The goal of public information is twofold:
- in a pre-incident stage, to inform and educate the public on how to prepare
for a health emergency and where to find information about seeking appropriate
care and to remaining safe during an incident; and,
- in a response stage, to provide
credible information to the public as soon as possible to reduce the risk of
mortality and morbidity.
Planning Assumptions:
a. NM MEMS public information preparedness and response functions, tasks, and activities will be carried out through the State’s implementation of the NIMS Public Information System that is part of the existing emergency response infrastructure.
b. In a crisis, the New Mexico Department of Health will be accessible to the public, the media and all constituents.
c. Communications will be transparent, open, honest, immediate, and based on the best scientific and incident assessment information available.
d. A team approach will be utilized, so that physicians, epidemiologists, first responders and others can report their own areas of investigation and response.
e. Public information officers will give information to the public about how they should respond to the emergency.
f. Messages will focus on reducing the public’s fear and uncertainty.
g. It is important to provide credible information to the public through the media.
