Crisis communication essential in emergency response plans, new report says

States need to include crisis communication as part of their response plans to energy emergencies, according to a playbook published Tuesday by the National Governors Association.

The playbook states that regardless of the size of any given energy emergency — such as electrical grid failures, pipeline disruptions, power outages or fuel shortages — state and local governments must inform the public about the incident and the emergency response efforts underway.

By incorporating and practicing crisis communication as part of state energy security and emergency response plans, the playbook argues state officials can better prepare for and mitigate energy-related emergencies.

The guidance comes as the U.S. energy grid faces threats from cyberattacks, extreme weather events and other vulnerabilities due to aging infrastructure and maintenance.

Residents in the North Texas are currently experiencing power outages due to recent tornadoes, thunderstorms and severe winds earlier this month. And severe storms in Pittsburgh left thousands of people without electricity this week.

As power outages often disrupt standard communication channels of information, the playbook recommends agencies use multiple communication channels, such as radio and mobile communication.

“State officials understand the importance of using both traditional and non-traditional communication methods to reach the broadest audience possible, especially under circumstances where typical channels like cell service or internet may not be operational,” the playbook reads.

The playbook also stressed the importance of activating crisis communication plans within the first 72 hours of an incident, maintaining consistent messaging across government agencies and utility companies to build public trust. These may include pre-incident safety measures advising proper generator usage, how to prepare for power interruptions or methods to stay warm or cool during extreme weather.

The National Governors Association’s recommendations build off the 2022 report from U.S. Department of Energy, which outlined situational awareness strategies, how to assess potential consequences of an energy incident, and the most effective ways to share critical information with the public.

The playbook also encourages state and local governments to use resources from the Energy Emergency Assurance Coordinators Program, a coalition between federal and state agencies to facilitate information sharing practices before, during and after energy disruptions.