Highland County Health Department<br> Hillsboro, Ohio

The Highland County Health Department is responsible for communication to the public and news media during times of public health crisis. The health department and these news media agencies work together to provide important public health messages to the pubic.

The health department has developed plans that provide speedy press releases to local news agencies, and rapid posting on this web site.

The health department communication staff is divided into public information officers (PIOs), message review staff, and a public spokesperson. In a crisis communication event, the PIOs prepare messages and determine delivery methods, the review staff approves the message, and the spokesperson delivers it the public or media.

All staff involved in the crisis communication process attend yearly meetings and trainings to develop communications skills and methods, prepare for speaking with the media and the public, and learn to better develop effective messages.

Refer often to the News page for current press releases and information.

Crisis Communication Introduction

Crisis Communication for Your Family

In an emergency, it is important that your family has predetermined how to contact one another if phones are unavailable or not working properly. Designate a friend of family member who lives a good distance away, and instruct your family to contact that person if separated in an emergency. The designated contact person can keep track of who has called in, and who is still unaccounted for.

It is also important to have designated meeting areas in town, out of town, and out of state. If communications are completely out, instruct your family to meet at a certain location, depending on the extent of the emergency. Be sure to discuss a time amount that the family should wait at each location, how to leave messages for one another, etc.

For example, my family will meet at the local church if the emergency is minor, at my parents house if the town is evacuated, and at my grandparent’s home in Illinois if they need to leave the state. My family knows to wait for 12 hours after an event before moving on to a new location, unless the present location is unsafe. This waiting period allows plenty of time for individuals to check in.

Take some time to discuss with your family what would happen in an emergency, and make some plans together. There are several resources and links provided by this website to help you prepare.