When the worst happens, it's natural to be overwhelmed in the moment, so it's crucial to prepare in advance. Establishing a strategic plan will help you and your team regain control as quickly as possible. Consider consolidating these templates and checklists into a single, accessible file for quick access. And remember: you've got this!
The time to prepare for a crisis response is before one occurs. Use the resources found in During a Crisis: General Response Kit and Crisis Communication Contingency Plan to help you prepare ahead of a crisis.
In the chaos of a crisis, it's easy to forget essential duties. Refer to the checklist in Crisis Management Team Roles and Tasks to help you assign roles and ensure all tasks get completed. The Decision Matrix Template can also help you consider and plan your posture, action, reaction and outcomes for various types of crises. Use the template in Keep a Contact List to track contact information for organizations with which you'll need to coordinate.
Likely, social media will serve as one of the first resources used to react to and disseminate information. Leverage the checklist in Before a Crisis: Prepare Your Social Media Strategy to ensure your social media strategy is prepped, effective and ready for any crisis. If unforeseen circumstances arise, the steps outlined in How to Be Effective with Social Media During a Crisis will guide your preparations for any situation.
You're human, and mistakes happen. It is critical that when something goes wrong and a crisis arises, as a communication professional, you do not add to the problem or cause more chaos with your communications. Get ahead of potential mistakes with the critical information in Common Mistakes When Handling a Crisis. In addition, when commanders look to you to determine the best way to communicate accurately, follow the rules outlined in Being an Effective Communicator in a Crisis and 5 Tips for Crisis Communication.