Final Assessment

Emergency Risk Communication

Final Assessment

You will need to earn at least 70% to pass this course and qualify for a certificate of completion. If you do not pass on the first try, you may review the material and try again. After passing the final assessment, you will be directed to a certificate of completion, which you can print out.

There is a mysterious explosion in an abandoned building, located in an industrial area. The explosion not only wounds and kills several people, but also releases harmful chemicals into the air. Which of the following should you do first?
1. Research all the facts before making a statement.
2. Issue a first message that is empathetic and shows what your organization is doing and how you will keep people informed.
3. Convene a conference call with your community partners.
4. Arrange an exclusive interview with a trusted reporter that you know will get the facts right.
In a crisis like the building explosion, which of the following will most help you communicate to the public rapidly?
1. A subscription to a specialized news clipping service that can find coverage of the crisis.
2. Use of one main channel of communication to keep the information focused and consistent.
3. A Crisis Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) plan with protocols for approving and releasing information.
4. Personal contacts at major media outlets.
In response to the explosion, use the CERC plan to choose the matching intervention model for “Find a conference room big enough for a media briefing”.
1. Message delivery
2. Logistics
3. Partners
4. Protocols and procedures
In response to the explosion, use the CERC plan to choose the matching intervention model for “The public information officer must sign off on all key messages.”.
1. Message delivery
2. Logistics
3. Partners
4. Protocols and procedures
In response to the explosion, use the CERC plan to choose the matching intervention model for “Email key messages to other agencies”.
1. Message delivery
2. Logistics
3. Partners
4. Protocols and procedures
In response to the explosion, use the CERC plan to choose the matching intervention model for “Activate a hotline and update information via tweets and website”.
1. Message delivery
2. Logistics
3. Partners
4. Protocols and procedures
You are asked to draft key messages for the explosion. What three factors will make your key messages successful?
1. Address public concerns, use humor, and give guidance on what to do and why.
2. Give guidance on what to do and why, discuss funding issues, be accurate.
3. Use plain language, speculate if you don't know the answer, and give guidance on what to do and why.
4. Address public concerns, give guidance on what to do and why, and be accurate.
It has been a few hours after the explosion, and you are getting your notes ready for the press briefing 30 minutes from now. Which statement should be made FIRST?
1. We will post updates to our website and to our Facebook page as soon as we have new information.
2. To keep your family safe, we urge you to avoid the area.
3. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the people who died in the explosion.
4. We are investigating how far the airborne chemicals have traveled and how long they will stay in the air.
It has been a few hours after the explosion, and you are getting your notes ready for the press briefing 30 minutes from now. Which statement should be made SECOND?
1. We will post updates to our website and to our Facebook page as soon as we have new information.
2. To keep your family safe, we urge you to avoid the area.
3. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the people who died in the explosion.
4. We are investigating how far the airborne chemicals have traveled and how long they will stay in the air.
It has been a few hours after the explosion, and you are getting your notes ready for the press briefing 30 minutes from now. Which statement should be made THIRD?
1. We will post updates to our website and to our Facebook page as soon as we have new information.
2. To keep your family safe, we urge you to avoid the area.
3. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the people who died in the explosion.
4. We are investigating how far the airborne chemicals have traveled and how long they will stay in the air.
It has been a few hours after the explosion, and you are getting your notes ready for the press briefing 30 minutes from now. Which statement should be made LAST?
1. We will post updates to our website and to our Facebook page as soon as we have new information.
2. To keep your family safe, we urge you to avoid the area.
3. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the people who died in the explosion.
4. We are investigating how far the airborne chemicals have traveled and how long they will stay in the air.
People who might have been exposed to the airborne chemicals are not getting checked out at hospitals, despite your repeated messages. What might account for this reaction?
1. Empathy
2. Stigmatization
3. Mental noise
Select the CERC principle that matches this sample statement: “This unnerving event raises questions about how this could have happened, and we wish we had all the answers.”
1. Accuracy and timeliness
2. Get past the outrage
3. Trust and credibility
Select the CERC principle that matches this sample statement: “There has been an explosion in an abandoned building.”
1. Accuracy and timeliness
2. Get past the outrage
3. Trust and credibility
Select the CERC principle that matches this sample statement: “Right now we are still investigating what substance was released during this explosion. We will let you know as soon as we can identify the substance, but in the meantime we encourage everyone to stay indoors.”
1. Accuracy and timeliness
2. Get past the outrage
3. Trust and credibility
During a press conference, a reporter asks, “Do you think this is a terrorist attack?” Which of the following responses demonstrates how to use a bridging strategy?
1. “We do not have any information that suggests a terrorist attack at this time. What I can tell you is that we are investigating the chemicals and our law enforcement partners are investigating the source of the explosion. We willl update you as soon as we know more.”
2. “No, I do not think this is a terrorist attack. We don't have any information to suggest that at this time. But we will update you when we know more.”
3. “No comment.”
4. “First, we do not want to speculate. Second, we don't have that information.”
A few days later, people are still outraged. You decide to hold a public meeting in a community center near where the explosion happened. An angry father grabs a microphone, cursing and accusing you and your staff of being uncaring and incompetent. How should you react?
1. Ignore his outburst and continue with the meeting.
2. Try to reestablish calm by repeating your key messages.
3. Point out everything your agency is doing to help the situation.
4. Acknowledge the father’s right to feel upset.