HomeMy WebLinkAboutCrisis Communication Plan 2024 - FULL SET (Policy 100-04)CITY OF RENTON
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RESPONSES
1. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods
2. Acts of terrorism, including bombings and mass shootings
3. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids, water supply, and transportation
systems
4. Public health emergencies such as pandemics or disease outbreaks
5. Civil unrest, riots, and protests
6. Industrial accidents such as chemical spills or explosions
7. Transportation accidents, including plane crashes, train derailments, and bus accidents
8. Public safety emergencies such as active shooter situations or hostage situations
9. Environmental disasters such as oil spills or toxic waste leaks
10. Financial crises such as recessions or stock market crashes that impact the city's budget and
ability to provide services to its residents.
11. Officer-involved shooting
12. Personnel issues
13. Equipment failures and injuries caused by city-owned equipment
14. Large-scale fire, naturally occurring, and non-natural
15. Officer killed in the line of duty
LEAD DIVISION: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Flooding: Ron Straka, Public Works & Maintenance on Sandbagging, Vactor Trucks, Emptying
Storm Drains
• TBD
OUTREACH PLAN: Follow the EOC Duty Officer Manual. When an anticipated natural disaster strikes,
preparation time is possible to loop in all parties. When an unanticipated natural disaster occurs, the
following protocol will be observed.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK
HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE CONTENT.
1. NATURAL DISASTERS
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
RPD / Meeghan
Black
Mayor / Council CAO / DCAO Communications
CALL DUTY PHONE
Approve
Internal/External
Statement
Draft
Internal/External
Statement
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Provide Internal
Update on public
safety status
Post on social with
link back to web,
post as updates
available
Send out media
alert with duty
phone, continue
updates as
received
LEAD DIVISION: RPD
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Incident Command
• Chief Jon Schuldt
• External Federal Agencies as involved
OUTREACH PLAN: During our upcoming Council retreat, offer media training for electeds to ensure
understanding of the chain of command when speaking publicly about city crisis issues (G402). Ensure
all protocol are followed as directed from incident command.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK
HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. CONTENT OWNERS ARE RPD IN
THIS CASE.
2. ACTS OF TERRORISM
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INCIDENT COMMAND
CAO/ DCAO
Mayor / Council
EOC Duty Officer Communications
(Renton Police
Dept and City
Comms collaborate
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
Post on social with
link back to web,
post as updates
available
Post to social,
follow Incident
Command directive
Chief
Prompt ESK6 for
evacuations
Activate other King
County EOC
jurisdictions
LEAD DIVISION: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT / COMMUNICATIONS
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Seattle / King County Public Health – will disseminate messaging to share.
OUTREACH PLAN: Seattle / King County Public Health will speak on our behalf, Emergency Management
and Communications will disseminate information as it is available. Communications and EM will work
in partnership on relaying Renton-specific messaging on wht is closed,
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK OR
ALTERNATE MEDIA FORMAT HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE IF AVAILABLE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK
BACK TO WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT.
4. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES
EOC DUTY OFFICER
CAO/ DCAO
Mayor / Council City
Communications
Risk Management
if Ransomware is
involved, insurance
co directly handles
CALL DUTY PHONE
If website is
affected, contact
Granicus for temp
landing page
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
If nefarious action
is detected, federal
action including
FBI, CIA, State-level
contacts are
introduced.
Post to social, post
updates on web or
alternate channels
as available; bring
any channels back
online ASAP
Activation of the
King County
Emergency
Operations Center
/ Joint Information
Cetner
IT – Young Yoon
(#1), Brett Tjeten
(#2)
RPD
If Utilities involved:
Seattle City Light &
Puget Sound Power
If Water
Contamination
involved: Martin
Paschua
Water Quality :
George Stahl
Water
Distribution
: Ron
Straka,
Abdul
Gafour
LEAD DIVISION: Seattle-King County Public Health – direction will be provided to EM, Comms from the
King County Emergency Operations Center.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• DEFER TO SKCPH
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: N/A. Re-post or take direction from Seattle-King
County Public Health
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. COMMUNICATIONS IS THE
CONTENT OWNER HERE, CONTENT WILL BE PROVIDED BY OR RE-DIRECTED TO SKCPH.
4. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES
SEATTLE – KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH
KING COUNTY EOC
Mayor / Council
Renton EOC Duty
Officer
Communications
Director
CAO / DCAO
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Post Renton
specific
information to
social, follow
SKCPH
Draft Internal
statement, activate
webpage with
direction from
SKCPH; send to
CAO/DCAO for
approval
LEAD DIVISION: RPD
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Incident Command
• Chief Jon Schuldt
• External Federal Agencies as involved
OUTREACH PLAN: During our upcoming Council retreat, offer media training for electeds to ensure
understanding of the chain of command when speaking publicly about city crisis issues (G402). Ensure
all protocol are followed as directed from incident command. Content owner will be RPD.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK
HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. CONTENT OWNERS ARE RPD IN
THIS CASE.
5. CIVIL UNREST, RIOTS AND PROTESTS
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INCIDENT COMMAND
CAO/ DCAO
Mayor / Council
EOC Duty Officer Communications
(Renton Police
Dept and City
Comms collaborate
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
Post on social with
link back to web,
post as updates
available
Post to social,
follow Incident
Command directive
Chief
Prompt ESK6 for
evacuations
Activate other King
County EOC
jurisdictions
LEAD DIVISION: Communications with input from: Risk Management / Public Works / Renton Regional
Fire Authority
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Risk Management – Krista Kolaz
• Public Works – Martin Paschua. Administrator
• Renton Regional Fire Authority – Fire Chief Steve Heitman (explosions)
• External Stakeholders / Contractors as appropriate / responsible
OUTREACH PLAN: Content owner will be Communications. Risk Management will be the lead and will
consult with our insurance agency for liability issues, while the supporting divisions will provide
information based on the type and location of the incident.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK
HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. CONTENT OWNERS ARE RPD IN
THIS CASE.
6. INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, CHEMICAL SPILLS OR
EXPLOSIONS
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INCIDENT INITIAL NOTIFICATON
CAO/ DCAO
Mayor / Council
EOC Duty Officer Communications to
ensure proper SME/
PIO is ready
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement with
SME
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
Post to social, align with
RPD to amplify RRFD
message
Manage and
communicate
traffic impact
LEAD DIVISION: Emergency Management, with direction from RPD, Airport and Public Works
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Renton Police Department – Chief Jon Schuldt
• Public Works – Martin Paschua. Administrator; Transportation Director Jim Seitz
• Airport – TBD Airport Manager
OUTREACH PLAN: Emergency Management will be the lead, while the supporting divisions will provide
information based on the type and location of the incident.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident involving (INSERT DISASTER AT
LOCATION) has occurred. The City will be updating information as it becomes available at (WEB LINK
HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT.
7. TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS
EOC DUTY OFFICER
CAO/ DCAO Mayor / Council National
Transportation
Safety Board
(NTSB)
Communications to
ensure proper SME/
PIO is ready
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement with
SME
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
Post to social, align with
RPD to share city post
Hazardous
Materials Team
PW Transportation
Systems
RPD
LEAD DIVISION: RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Renton Police Department – Chief Jon Schuldt
OUTREACH PLAN: Renton Police Department will be the lead, city comms will share RPD messaging with
city audience, city leadership (Mayor) will provide statement of support depending on the appropriate
direction from RPD and details of the incident.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “WARNING: an active shooter incident is in
process at (LOCATION HERE). Renton Police Department is on the scene and advises residents to avoid
the area and shelter in place. Renton Police Department will be updating information as it becomes
available at (WEB LINK HERE). For immediate safety inquiries dial (CRISIS LINE HERE).”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT.
8. PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCIES (ACTIVE SHOOTER
+ HOSTAGE SITUATIONS)
RPD
CAO/ DCAO Mayor / Council Communications to
follow RPD postings
and share on city
platforms
CALL COMMS DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement with
SME
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Approve internal
statement for
Comms to send
Post to social, align with
RPD to share city post
King County JIC King County
Sheriff’s Office
All Staff
Notification (for
safety of all in
multiple locations)
LEAD DIVISION: Seattle-King County Public Health – direction will be provided to EM, Comms from the
King County Emergency Operations Center.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• DEFER TO SKCPH
• Internal – Water Quality Staff
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: N/A. Re-post or take direction from Seattle-King
County Public Health
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. COMMUNICATIONS IS THE
CONTENT OWNER HERE, CONTENT WILL BE PROVIDED BY OR RE-DIRECTED TO SKCPH.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS (OIL SPILLS, TOXIC
WASTE LEAKS, CONTAMINATION OF WATER)
SEATTLE – KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH
KING COUNTY EOC
Mayor / Council
Renton EOC Duty
Officer
Communications
Director
CAO / DCAO
Post to Web, Send
web link to all
internal parties
Post Renton
specific
information to
social, follow
SKCPH
Draft Internal
statement, activate
webpage with
direction from
SKCPH; send to
CAO/DCAO for
approval
LEAD DIVISION: Finance Department
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Kari Roller, Finance Administrator
• CED – Recession, Jobs + Employment Impact
• Mayor – Human Services, Staffing Levels
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “The impact of XYZ event will be felt throughout
the country, including the City of Renton. The safety and health of our residents is our first concern,
today and always. We will be working to measure the impact and report on potential impacts as they
occur. For more information, visit (DEDICATED WEBPAGE OR BANG THE TABLE).
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. COMMUNICATIONS IS THE
CONTENT OWNER.
10. FINANCIAL CRISES (RECESSIONS, STOCK
MARKET CRASHES IMPACTING CITY’S BUDGET
OR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES)
Finance Department
Mayor / Council
CAO / DCAO
Draft City statement,
activate webpage or Bang
the Table for complex long-
term coverage; send to
CAO/DCAO for approval
Draft Mayor Statement,
post to web/BTT and send
to media
Communications
Director
Post to Web/ BTT,
Send web link to all
internal parties
Actively maintain BTT/web
during long-term crisis into
recovery
LEAD DIVISION: The Valley Independent Force Investigative Team (RPD WILL NOT BE INVOLVED)
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• Valley Independent Force Investigative Team
OUTREACH PLAN: All direction will be taken from the Valley Independent Force Investigative Team. RPD
will not publicly comment. State law dictates that this is how it will be investigated, and this is how it will
be communicated.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “An incident has happened involving XYZ, an
independent investigation will occur. The Valley Independent Force Investigative Team will be issuing a
report.”
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP-TO-DATE CONTENT. CONTENT OWNERS ARE
EXTERNAL – VALLEY INDEPENDENT FORCE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM -- IN THIS CASE.
11. OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INCIDENT COMMAND
CAO/ DCAO
Mayor / Council
Valley Independent
Force Investigative
Team
Communications
(Renton Police Dept
and City Comms
collaborate)
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External City
statement
Post to Web, Send
web link to all internal
parties
Refer all questions
or inquiries to the
Valley Independent
Force Investigative
Team
Chief
Mayor Statement –
after report is
issued, express
empathy for loss of
life, share details
on next steps
LEAD DIVISION: DEPARTMENT IN WHICH THE ISSUE ORIGINATED
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• CITY ATTORNEY – Shane Moloney
• MAYOR – Armondo Pavone
• HUMAN RESOURCES / RISK MANAGEMENT – Administrator, Kim Gilman
OUTREACH PLAN: Regarding reputation-based issue of either personal or professional misconduct by
elected or appointed officials or staff. Loop in City Administration, Risk Management and Legal when an
issue is brought to light. City statement will be issued, media inquiries will be handled through
Communications. No webpage for personnel issues will be set up, inquiries will be handled on a case-by-
case basis, and no definitive statement will be made until an investigation has been finalized, and a
course of action decided upon.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “The City has been made aware of an incident (if
professional and visible, mention location “at…. “; if personal, leave at “an incident.”) involving (an
elected official, a staff member, etc.).
(STAFF MEMBER: The staff member in question has been placed on administrative leave while a full
investigation takes place. The City of Renton is committed to upholding high ethical standards for staff
members.”)
(COUNCILMEMBER: The behavior in question will be fully investigated. The City of Renton is committed
to upholding high ethical standards.)
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE CONTENT.
12. PERSONNEL ISSUES
HR/RM Communications
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement
CITY ATTORNEY
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATOR
Mayor / CAO /
DCAO
Approve
Internal/External
Statement
Post statement to
web, answer media
inquiries on an as-
received basis.
LEAD DIVISION: DEPARTMENT IN WHICH THE ISSUE ORIGINATED
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• CITY ATTORNEY – Shane Moloney
• RPD – Investigation
• HUMAN RESOURCES / RISK MANAGEMENT – Administrator, Kim Gilman
OUTREACH PLAN: Risk Management and RPD will begin an investigation to define if tampering or
vandalism as the cause, if needed maintenance was the cause, etc. A city statement will be issued,
media inquiries will be handled through Communications. No definitive statement will be made until an
investigation has been finalized, and a course of action decided upon.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “The City has been made aware of an incident
involving an (equipment failure / injury) at (LOCATION HERE). An investigation will begin immediately to
determine cause, further details will be posted as they become available.”
IN THE CASE OF DISRUPTION OF SERVICE AND/OR LACK OF ACCESS, include direct contact for service,
and/or detour route.
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE CONTENT.
13. EQUIPMENT FAILURES, INJURIES CAUSED BY
CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
HR/RM Communications
CALL DUTY PHONE
Draft
Internal/External
Statement
CITY ATTORNEY
FAILURE OR INJURY NOTIFICATION:
RFA / RPD
Mayor / CAO /
DCAO
Post statement to
web, answer media
inquiries on an as-
received basis Post to social. Live updates on area
stability or re-opening of routes are
permitted by the onsite agency (RPD,
RFA), City to share
Approve
Internal/External
Statement
LEAD DIVISION: RRFA
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• RENTON REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY
• RPD – SUPPORTING RRFA
OUTREACH PLAN: RRFA will lead. RPD will support RRFA efforts, and report back.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: “The City has been made aware of an incident
involving an (equipment failure / injury) at (LOCATION HERE). @RRFA and @RPD are on scene,
information will be shared as available.”
IN THE CASE OF DISRUPTION OF SERVICE AND/OR LACK OF ACCESS, include direct contact for service
restoration (water, etc) and/or detour route.
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE CONTENT. RRFA WILL OWN CONTENT.
14. LARGE SCALE FIRE - NATURAL AND NON-
NATURAL
Share information
as received from
RRFA / RPD
RRFA
Post to social. Live updates on area
stability or re-opening of routes are
permitted by the onsite agency (RPD,
RFA), City to share
Mayor / CAO /
DCAO
RPD
Communications
Director
CALL DUTY PHONE
Defer media
inquiries to RRFA /
RPD
LEAD DIVISION: RPD
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS:
• RPD – Chief Jon Schuldt
• Mayor Armondo Pavone
OUTREACH PLAN: 1. Family to be notified first. 2. Internal notifications happen to a) Officers first, b)
RPD in total second, c) Mayor to send notice to City in total. 3. External notifications. Chief to make
public statement; Mayor to share sympathy and honor the fallen officer for their service to our city.
PRE-DRAFTED STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE POSTING: N/A here. Public statement from Chief and/or
Mayor will be first outreach from PD or City.
STATEMENT TO BE POSTED TO MAIN WEBSITE. ALL MEDIA LINKS, QR CODES TO LINK BACK TO
WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE CONTENT. RRFA WILL OWN CONTENT.
15. OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
RPD
Family is first to be
notified. NO OTHER
ACTION TAKEN UNTIL THIS
IS COMPLETE.
CALL DUTY PHONE
RPD and Mayor to
approve internal
and external
statements; align
with timing.
RPD to set up internal-
only dedicated phone
line for questions and
or inquiries; direction
to counseling available
for staff
Communications
Director to work in
tandem with RPD
Communications
on internal
statement /
external statement
Mayor / CAO /
DCAO
Distribute
statements on
web, to media
Internal notification to
Officers, followed by RPD
staff, followed by City of
Renton all-staff.
RPD to notify elected
officials and staff on
memorial service planned
by “Behind the Badge”
Elected officials and
relevant staff members to
attend memorial service.