Linda Thomas Brooks Speaks at FEMA Risk and Communications Summit

PRSA CEO Linda Thomas Brooks was invited to speak at the first-ever FEMA Risk Communications, Crisis Communications + Community Engagement Summit held today at the National Academy of Science in Washington, D.C. FEMA convened communicators and community leaders from across the nation who are on the front-line of climate and emerging crises.

Speakers shared myriad tools, resources and guidance to develop timely and inclusive communications, best practices and critical steps to take to improve disaster responses, and innovative ways to strengthen community trust.

Speakers included Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and representatives from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control, Center for Risk Communications, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk and Reduction, as well as Johns Hopkins University, the Ad Council and Dillard University, among others.

“Increasingly, it is not just the moment of crisis that needs attention,” said Thomas Brooks. “It’s hours of work on the front end – the education, the planning, the resource allocation to reach internal and external audiences – that's going to make the difference. We have an opportunity to sound the alarm without being alarmists, and a chance to inform without alienating.”

You can listen to Linda’s full remarks here.

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