Crisis Management Team Roles & Tasks

Checklist 2 min
Before a crisis occurs, use this checklist to assign team roles and ensure all tasks are carried out. 

In the chaos of a crisis, it's easy to forget essential duties. All team roles should be assigned ahead of time with backup personnel identified. Team members must be trained in their role(s) and cross-trained in other roles to eliminate structure collapse if some members are absent. The team must be prepared to fill roles to cover 24-hour operations (8- or 12-hour shifts) until the crisis transitions to a more sustainable, less demanding battle rhythm. Even during a crisis, there will need to be enough people to cover routine, non-crisis events and activities.

Below is a general list of tasks and roles for the Public Affairs Crisis Management Team. Check with your unit to verify no other specific essential duties are required.

Leader:

Mission Partner Support:

Community Engagement:

  • Informs key stakeholders throughout crisis.
  • Handles and disseminates approved messages.

Media Operations:

  • Engages and interfaces with the media.
  • Responds to questions from the media.
  • Facilitates interviews.
  • Handles and disseminates approved messages.
  • Manages the Media Operation Center or Joint Information Center, when applicable.

Command Information:

  • Coordinates the information with established processes.
  • Crafts messages for all relevant social media platforms, websites, newsletters, etc.
  • Responds to any internal or community questions.
  • Handles and disseminates approved messages.

Spokesperson:

  • Speaks to the media or social media channels on behalf of the unit or agency.
  • Trains spokespersons from outside of PA to engage with the media or the community.

Documentation:

  • Captures all required imagery and video.

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