- PUACOM009B - Manage media requirements at major incident
PUACOM009B
Manage media requirements at major incident
Application
This unit applies to public safety workers who have been delegated media liaison responsibilities during major incidents, either at the scene or in a command centre.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Assess scene and organisation requirements | 1.1 Restricted and/or special access areas are clearly defined to media personnel to safeguard the operation and prevent contamination of evidence. 1.2 Media access to personnel/volunteers/victims/casualties is controlled. 1.3 Operational responsibilities and provision of information to media is assessed. |
2. Develop media strategy | 2.1 Media plan is used to form the media strategy 2.2 Arrangements are made to meet media requirements according to incident characteristics and current developments. 2.3 Organisational media representative is selected and briefed according to availability, knowledge of incident, media presence and role played in the incident. 2.4 Media briefing area is allocated with required resources where possible. 2.5 Media co-operation is gained in order to co-ordinate information flow and to provide information to the public on matters of safety and public interest. 2.6 Media strategy is changed at any time to suit operational demands and level of incident. 2.7 Approval is gained for information releases where appropriate. 2.8 Information briefing sessions and tours are scheduled at appropriate times in line with operational responsibilities and media requirements. 2.9 Media personnel and VIP are provided with Occupational Health and Safety clothing where appropriate. |
3. Provide information to media | 3.1 Organisational protocols are followed when liaising with the media. 3.2 Organisational media representative provides current developments of incident where appropriate. 3.3 Interview and photo opportunities are scheduled and conducted to provide information where appropriate. 3.4 Other organisations are consulted with at the incident to ensure a consistent presentation of information to the media. 3.5 Accurate records of media enquiries and interviews are maintained. 3.6 A two-way communication process between organisation and media is maintained. |
4. Promote the organisation via the media | 4.1 Work and achievements of organisation, volunteer and other organisation personnel at incident is promoted throughout the incident to assist in maintaining morale and public profile. 4.2 Own demeanour and presentation reflects the professional standards of the organisation and support for victims and others affected by the incident. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
attention to detail communicating facts in a fluent, clear and interesting manner conducting press conferences and group interviews empathy with victims and operational personnel liaison with media and other organisation personnel media presentation public speaking retaining professionalism under duress |
Required Knowledge |
knowledge of current practices for media liaison legal and organisation requirements relating to confidentiality, libel, accuracy, discrimination newsworthiness of information requirements of different media newspapers, magazines, radio, television requirements of local v's regional v's national media requirements of media to present information in a newsworthy/entertaining manner role of media in disseminating information |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Manage media to ensure integrity of information being disseminated. Consistency in performance Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment On the job or in a simulated work environment. Specific resources for assessment No special requirements. |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Media requirements may include: | technical e.g. lighting/sound access for crew and equipment photographic/film opportunities on-site interviews interviews with particular personnel newsworthiness news angles human interest interviews and stories technical and other requirements of local vs regional vs national media of print vs radio vs television and of community vs commercial vs government-owned media individual requests from media personnel food shelter personal protective equipment telephones facsimiles power outlets bilingual briefing |
Information which needs to be disseminated to the public may include: | emergency hotlines road closures facility closures warnings danger zones persons police are seeking to interview public information/assurance evacuation details |
Organisation and legal requirements may include: | relating to occupational health and safety public safety operational priorities confidentiality |
Organisational requirements for press conferences etc may include: | operational requirements policies and procedures currency of information need for public assistance |
Sources of information may include: | other organisations eyewitnesses weather forecasters own organisation personnel volunteer workers |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.