‘Expect the Unexpected’ Chief Fire Officers’ Association Conference 3rd & 4th May 2017, Croke Park, Dublin.

‘Media communications in a crisis, a media perspective’ Paul Melia, Environment Editor, Irish Independent

Irish people love stories about sunshine

And we love pictures of people enjoying the sunshine too…

We love stories and pictures about rain.

About storms.

And snow.

And pictures of people not enjoying the snow or storms…

We’re never happier than when we’re reading, hearing and talking about the weather.

But things do go bad… Manx 2 plane crash, Cork Airport (February 2011) – 6 fatalities Fatal road collisions (Donegal, July 2010) – 8 fatalities Big Freezes (winters 2009/10 & 2010/11) Storm Desmond, Storm Frank (winter 2015/2016) and subsequent flooding Gas explosion, fires etc

Information is key. Media reach is vast. 3 million people in Ireland consume news across print, online and broadcast platforms every day. Diverse mix of ages, locations, social class. National and local media very vibrant in Ireland. Pressure on responders to provide information.

Media’s role in major emergency. Set out how it impacts on people and how they live their lives. Carries important safety messages. Conveys information about situation, and provides analysis and context. Can be conflict between press and what responders believe that role should be.

The Big Freeze. First snow fell November 28 2010. Tens of thousands of bus passengers stranded. Airports affected. Those in rural areas hardest hit. Christmas Day, temperatures plunge to -17.5C.

What do media write about?

What do media write about? In a major emergency – freeze, flood or multi-vehicle fatal road collision – much the same stories arise. Instead of questions about salt, it’s questions about sandbags. Human stories and concerns remain the same. Carries public safety messages.

What do media write about? Write about front-line responders on the ground. No shortage of things to write about – but needs flow of reliable information.

What the media needs. World is changing. We publish ‘on the run’. No deadlines on the internet. While medium is changing, media’s needs remain the same.

What the media needs. Information on situation on the ground. Case studies of real people caught up in events. Stories from front-line workers. Experts for overview or context. Pictures – stills and moving. Access.

What the media needs. Met Eireann. Government departments/local authorities. Utilities – water, electricity, gas. Hazards – Irish Coastguard, Road Safety Authority, Local authorities, Irish Water Safety, ESB, OPW Transport – roads and public transport, airports. Safety messages – Road Safety Authority, Coastguard, Irish Water Safety HSE – hospital admissions. Defence Forces/Gardai.

What you can do. Have one point of contact for media. Get to know media contacts – have an annual sit-down. Use twitter and social media. Be aware of print and broadcast deadlines. If you don’t know the answer, get back to the journalist (and make sure you get back).

What you can expect. Media will serve the public at times of crisis. Expect informed questions. It’s not looking for scandal, but will convey response or apparent lack of preparedness. Don’t be afraid of the press.

There’s no such thing as too much information.

Thank you.