Base Evacuation Checklist

Checklist 2 min
Download 
Use this guide when you're managing a base evacuation to ensure you don't skip critical responsibilities.

U.S. military bases may be evacuated due to natural disasters, public safety concerns, widespread illnesses or political unrest. Getting people out of danger is the immediate goal, but keeping commanders, stakeholders and the public informed during the incident is also vitally important. Follow this checklist to keep lines of communications open and ensure all public affairs tasks are carried out during a base evacuation.

  1. Verify the situation with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Crisis Action Team (CAT).
  2. Cancel all scheduled or current public affairs events.
  3. Annotate details of the situation on the Accident and Incident Reporting.
  4. Provide public affairs guidance to the commander within one hour of receiving notice of the event.
  5. Contact higher headquarters (HHQ) for guidance as needed.
  6. Contact local officials.
  7. Receive the initial news release from EOC and disseminate it to the appropriate publics.
  8. Activate the Straight Talk Center or text messaging service within four hours of the incident via answering machine or internet. Provide base personnel with:
    1. the authoritative point of contact.
    2. accurate information about the status of the accident.
    3. command’s actions.
  9. Provide the initial DoD or Service position on the breaking news story to the press within four hours of the event.
  10. Document and respond to all media queries within eight hours of the event.
    1. Clear all responses with the commander before release and utilize previously released info.
    2. Forward all queries to HHQ for logging.
  11. Publish information in the base newsletter at least weekly via the internet or paper.
  12. Provide an after action report (AAR) to HHQ within seven days after the end of the incident, containing:
    1. a chronology of PA actions.
    2. problems encountered.
    3. community relations aspects.
    4. lessons learned.
  13. Consult your social media strategy and decision matrix to determine if, what and where to post.
  14. Consider using During a Crisis: Social Media Strategy Guidelines throughout the crisis.
  15. Prepare a briefing card that includes a list of all questions news organizations and the public could ask about the incident. Each question should:
    1. include an answer with information that is known at the time.
    2. indicate whether and when the information can be released.
    3. include an explanation of why the information is not available or when it is expected to be available.
  16. Revise briefing card as needed to reflect new or updated information about the incident.
  17. Document all activities on the events log.

Discover More You May Like

View All Checklists
Five syringes injecting vaccines, powering a glass container, while surrounded by varieties of viruses, with a cyberpunk-themed user interface.

Combatting Information Disorder

Article
4 min
Explore tactics to prevent the spread of information disorder on the digital battlefield.
Master Sgt. Ieshea Lattimore, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing Staff Agency & A1 superintendent, left, and Master Sgt. Stephanie Williams Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team chief, collect and review in-processing documents from deployers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 18, 2023.

After a Crisis: Team Self Evaluation

Template
3 min
This Excel template helps a team evaluate its crisis performance to better prepare for any future crisis.
An illustration of a website surrounded by six jigsaw puzzle pieces, with each piece containing a single icon: a clock, a book, a folder with a padlock, an image, a chat bubble and a checkmark.

Leveraging an Information Dashboard During a Crisis

Article
8 min
Learn how making a dedicated webpage is a powerful tool when handling misinformation from a sustained crisis.
An airman reads a book to children seated on the floor.

Community Relations as a Process

Article
6 min
Review how Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation fits into the community relations process.
Illustration of two service members sitting behind a desk that says "DINFOS Live." Illustrations of a circle, square and triangle with wavy lines are scattered throughout.

DINFOS Live: Motion Graphics

Article
29 min
Learn about the history and purpose of motion graphics from DINFOS instructors.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Cranley, 423d Security Forces Squadron Base Defense Operations Controller, monitors base operations at RAF Molesworth, England, Sept. 8, 2023. SFS members at the Base Defense Operations Center are responsible for coordinating security on the installation and remain ready to coordinate responses to ensure the safety and security of the community and mission.

508 Compliance Audit: Website or Application

Checklist
7 min
Ensure your website, web applications and software are 508 compliant with this checklist.

View More