Public Safety Communication Strategies

With the current impact of cell network outages across almost all carriers in the US, it's a good time to talk about the future; actually, it's not even about the future, it's the present. Several years ago I started talking about having mobile robotics (air, ground and maritime robotics, like drones, rovers and submergible devices) be part of a mobile adhoc network or MANET. One example is a private mesh network, like Silvus Technologies provides. These communications solutions for high bandwidth video, C2, health and telemetry data are absolutely needed in today's environment and allow for a very flexible set-up and coverage; from a local incident scene, to a much larger area coverage, to entire cities or counties being covered. Why the need? While we in the drone industry originally focused on getting drones connected to a cell network, we quickly realized the single point of failure; the cell network infrastructure. Natural disasters, as well as manmade disasters, can impact these networks dramatically. An earthquake, hurricane, a solar storm, or a cyberattack, can take down these public networks for hours to days. And that includes public safety dedicated solutions like FirstNet or Frontline, during times when coms and data push is absolutely needed. Over the past couple of years we have seen the rise of mobile robotics deployments within private networks. While the defense side has done this approach for years, the public safety sector is still new to this concept. Some solutions integrate with a variety of antennas, amplifiers and ground stations, offer low latency, high data rates (up to 100+Mpbs), 256-bit AES encryptions and allow for a very flexible and scalable mobile ad-hoc mesh network solution. And most importantly - independence from a public network system. And now imagine you have multiple devices operating; a helicopter, a drone, a ground robotic, together with individuals on the ground, all connected and all tied into a geospatial information platform, like ATAK/TAK. Each connected device can become a node and extend the range. This is what I am calling building the Tech/Tac Bubble. This is not just the future, this is already happening with a handful of agencies across the US It's time to start thinking about alternative communication solutions and mobile robotics are an important part of leading the way. #UAV #UAS #UGV #Drones #network #MANET #Meshnetwork #publicsafety

School threats are sweeping across the nation following the Georgia #schoolshooting. A disturbing number of #schoolleaders are making knee-jerk decisions to shut down schools for what they often acknowledge publicly as being unsubstantiated and not credible threats. They frequently use the phrase “abundance of caution” to justify the closures. Best practices in #schoolsecurity and #threatassessment call for school leaders and their first responders to assess and then react, not react and then assess. Many closed schools simply to avoid parent pressures and pushback due to the anxiety around #schoolsafety. As I’ve told many reporters in the many media interviews I’ve done nationwide over the past week on this topic, schools need three things in place: 1. Threat assessment teams, protocols, and training. 2. Heightened security procedures to continue on with school while the investigation of the unsubstantiated threats is ongoing. 3. Crisis communications and social media strategies to push out accurate, timely, and transparent messages to reduce rumors, misinformation, and community anxiety. It takes some courage and political leadership. But you need to make decisions to address safety problems first. Then political and PR problems can be handled with separate and distinct tactics.

👍 If I were the Public Information Officer or Communications Director for a city—even just for one day—here’s exactly what I’d do to deliver measurable impact. 🎯 First, I’d ensure existing residents feel informed, valued, and included. That starts with clear messaging across social media, email newsletters, and neighborhood groups. I'd prioritize timely updates, upcoming events, and city initiatives that actually affect their daily lives—because consistency builds trust. 🎯 Second, I’d establish a new resident onboarding strategy. When someone moves into the city, they should automatically be welcomed with a digital or print “Welcome Packet” that introduces key services, contact info, event calendars, trash and recycling schedules, and how to stay connected with city updates. This builds immediate engagement and prevents confusion. 🎯 Third, I’d create a direct line of communication with existing businesses—not just when permits are due, but throughout the year. That could include a monthly “Business Brief” email with updates on city projects, economic initiatives, grant opportunities, or upcoming public works that may impact foot traffic or operations. When businesses feel supported, they stay longer and reinvest in the community. 🎯 Fourth, for new business license recipients, I’d trigger an automated outreach campaign—perhaps an email or personal welcome letter from the mayor’s office—thanking them for choosing the city. I’d link them to business support services, networking groups, ribbon cutting opportunities, and a city contact they can actually call. ✔️ The common thread? Proactive communication that’s tailored, timely, and genuinely helpful. Too often, cities are reactive. But if you plan ahead, you can build systems that engage the public year-round, not just when there’s a road closure or an emergency. ✔️ Smart communication isn’t loud—it’s strategic. And if I were running a city’s communications for a day, that strategy would reach the right people with the right message at the right time. #PublicRelations #CommunityEngagement: #CityCommunications #ResidentOutreach #NewResidentWelcome #SupportLocalBusiness #TargetRiver #TheTargetMarketer

The recent ransomware attack on Ingram Micro is a powerful reminder that every company—regardless of size or industry—is vulnerable to cyber threats. How an organization communicates during a security incident is critical for maintaining trust, minimizing reputational harm, and ensuring business continuity. Key Strategies for Effective Incident Communication: Communicate Regularly:  Keep stakeholders informed with consistent updates, even if there is little new information to share. Be Transparent, Yet Cautious:  Share what is known about the incident without exposing sensitive details that could compromise the investigation or security. Provide a Clear Timeline:  Outline what has been discovered, what actions are being taken, and what stakeholders can expect next. Explain Remediation Steps:  Describe the measures being implemented to resolve the issue and prevent future incidents. Use Consistent Communication Channels:  Stick to established platforms so employees, customers, and partners know where to find updates. Have a Pre-Planned Strategy:  Develop and regularly update a communications plan before an incident occurs to ensure a swift, coordinated response. Consult Legal and Compliance Experts:  Work with counsel to ensure all messaging is accurate and meets regulatory requirements. Address Concerns Proactively:  Respond to questions and concerns to prevent rumors and speculation from spreading. Acknowledge Limitations:  Be upfront about what information can and cannot be shared, and set realistic expectations. Demonstrate Active Response:  Show that your team is fully engaged and committed to resolving the situation. The goal is to provide enough information to build trust and confidence without overwhelming stakeholders with technical details or speculation. A *well-prepared communications* plan not only protects your organization’s reputation but also strengthens relationships with customers, partners, and employees during challenging times.

🚨 Boosting Community Sign-Ups for Electronic Mass Notification 🚨 As emergency managers, one of our key challenges is maximizing community enrollment in electronic mass notification systems. These systems are vital for timely alerts, but their effectiveness hinges on widespread community participation. Here's a strategic approach to increase sign-up rates: 1. Community Workshops and Seminars: Host informative sessions explaining the benefits and workings of the alert software. Use real-life scenarios to demonstrate the system's impact on safety. 2. Collaborate with Local Organizations: Partner with schools, businesses, and community groups to spread the word. Leverage these networks for distributing sign-up information and materials. 3. Utilize Social Media Platforms: Create engaging content that highlights the importance of staying informed during emergencies. Share testimonials and success stories to build trust and credibility. 4. Local Media Engagement: Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels to reach a broader audience. Regular segments or announcements can keep the community informed and encourage sign-ups. 5. Visible Presence at Community Events: Set up booths at fairs, markets, and public gatherings to facilitate on-the-spot sign-ups. Use these opportunities for live demonstrations and Q&A sessions. 6. Incentivize Sign-Ups: Collaborate with local businesses to offer discounts or incentives for those who sign up. Small rewards can be a significant motivator for participation. 7. Feedback and Improvement: Conduct surveys to understand community hesitations and improve outreach strategies. Address common concerns in your communications to increase trust and participation. 8. Regular Updates and Reminders: Keep the community informed about the system’s updates and success stories. Regular reminders can prompt those not signed up yet to act. By implementing these strategies, we can increase community engagement with electronic mass notification systems, ensuring that more people are informed and prepared in the face of emergencies. Let's share more ideas and strategies. What has worked in your community? #EmergencyManagement #EmergencyManagers #CommunityOutreach #MassNotification #PublicSafety #EmergencyPreparedness

The overnight collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge has unleashed a wave of online conspiracy theories, spreading like wildfire across social media platforms. Within hours, some individuals were promoting baseless claims around the cause of the attack, ranging from cyber-attacks to intentional collisions on X. While misinformation during such events isn't new, the alarming pace and trust some of these accounts command pose significant challenges for Federal agencies and corporates alike. In times of crisis, the dissemination of misinformation on social media can wreak havoc, creating confusion, panic, and hindering effective response efforts. Moreover, it erodes trust in reliable sources of information, exacerbating the chaos and making it even more challenging to manage the situation.  For corporates, it's a reality that they are living in---that's where the importance of corporate preparedness comes into the picture. Here are a few suggestions that can help with your crisis preparedness: DURING THE CRISIS ✅ Establish Clear Communication Channels: Designate official spokespersons and platforms for disseminating accurate information. ✅Monitor Social Media and News Sources: Implement robust monitoring systems to track mentions and detect misinformation early. ✅Debunk False Information: Respond promptly with evidence-based rebuttals to false claims and communicate transparently with stakeholders. ✅Engage with Stakeholders: Demonstrate transparency and accessibility by engaging directly with stakeholders to address concerns. ✅Collaborate with Authorities and Experts: Pool resources and coordinate response efforts with relevant authorities and industry peers. ✅Monitor Sentiment and Feedback: Continuously monitor stakeholder sentiment to tailor communication strategies and address concerns. BEFORE CRISIS ❎ Educate Employees and Stakeholders: Provide training on media literacy and critical thinking skills to empower individuals to discern fact from fiction. ❎ Review and Update Crisis Communication Plans: Regularly review and update crisis communication plans based on lessons learned and emerging best practices. AFTER CRISIS ⭕ Evaluate and Learn: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the company's response to misinformation to inform future crisis preparedness efforts.

Distributing Video during a Public Safety Crisis Response: Many modern public safety agencies now embrace cellular data transmission to enhance situational information during crisis operations. Transmitting video from drones and other aviation assets provides significant situational awareness benefits for both command and front-line personnel. Public safety operations teams and mobile network operators must consider the impact that these video flows will have on other cellular data applications, such as push-to-talk, CAD access, tactical situational awareness maps (e.g., Team Awareness Kit (TAK)), and other command tools. To help public safety officials and mobile operators understand the impact of massive video transmission on the network during a crisis, a TCCA-Critical Communications Critical Communications Broadband Group (CCBG) task force produced an informative guidance document that is well worth the read. The task force included subject matter experts from industry and government. Sami Honkaniemi and Sanne Stijve led this work. Topics addressed include: • Use cases and requirements • Network design, dimensioning, & radio planning • Operations considerations • Video flow descriptions and characteristics A fascinating example of drone video support is provided with a look at the 2020 Gjerdrum disaster. In the early hours of December 30, a landslide covered the village of Ask. The task force includes a review of the disaster response and the contributions made by drones, video, and voice communications. I had the honor of introducing the incident commander, Anders Løberg, Fire and Rescue Chief, Øvre Romerike Fire and Rescue, when he presented at Critical Communications World in 2021. The Chief talked about the lack of GIS situational awareness tools. Eventually, the incident team adopted tools from a local volunteer Search and Rescue organization to plot the locations of structures, victims, and rescue assets. The Chief's presentation introduced me to the world of GIS situational awareness tools. It ultimately led me to discover and appreciate the extraordinary value of the Team Awareness Kit (ATAK, iTAK, WinTAK, WebTAK) software suite. This TCCA Task Force document is a significant contribution that will help make such delivery feasible. Anders Martinsen's photo on Page 37 shows an example of drone operations at disaster scenes. If you fast-forward to future events, I foresee a different picture emerging. Pilots will control the drones remotely and the video feed will flow directly into control rooms and hand-held mobile terminals for presentation on the TAK clients. I believe this future is now. #DFR #ATAK #TAK #MCDATA Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/ePizk2Pb Be sure to catch the TCCA webinar scheduled for January 21. Registration is at this link: https://lnkd.in/eV6FR9FQ