EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION EPI Emergency Public Information EPI

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION (EPI)

Emergency Public Information (EPI) EPI requires • Coordination between site emergency management and public information departments • A documented plan or program based on actual risks identified in hazards surveys/hazards assessments • Documentation of relationships between internal and external organizations

Emergency Communications Prior to an emergency event • Site workers and the public must be informed of emergency plans and planned protective actions • The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) should be involved in communicating information to the community and planning the offsite response • Information should include site risks and hazards, protective actions, evacuation routes, relocation centers, and how emergency announcements will be made and received • Continuing education is provided to news media to acquaint them with the facility, management personnel, facility hazards, EPI plans, and Points of Contact (POC)

Distribution of Emergency Information Distribution of information to site personnel, media, and the public during an emergency should be • Accurate, candid, understandable, and consistent • Current and timely • Focused on health and safety of workers and the public • To establish facts, avoiding rumors and speculation • Responsive to public concerns and information needs • Consistent with requirements of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act

Emergency Events During an emergency event • The level of EPI response should vary with the nature, severity, duration, and public perception of the emergency • Information release is subject to close coordination among DOE/ NNSA, other federal agencies, state, local, and tribal governments • EPI functions include collection, coordination, production, and dissemination of information, as well as monitoring and analysis of media coverage and public concerns

EPI Functions • The Public Information Officer (PIO) is a key staff member per the National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) • Keeping the Emergency Director informed of all public information matters • Media relations • Government relations • Community relations, media monitoring, and rumor control • Responding to media and public inquiries • Collecting, preparing, approving, and releasing emergency information via spokespersons and news releases

Joint Information Center • The Joint Information Center (JIC) is where an organization can share, coordinate, and disseminate information