When should the public and media be informed about a disaster?

A.
When any emergency occurs at the facility, internally or externally

B.
When the publics health or safety is in danger

C.
When the disaster has been contained

D.
Whenever site emergencies extend beyond the facility

Explanation:
When an emergency occurs that could potentially have an impact outside the facility, the public
must be informed, regardless of whether there is any immediate threat to public safety. The disaster
recovery plan should include determinations of the audiences that may be affected by an
emergency, and procedures to communicate with them. Information the public will want to know
could include public safety or health concerns, the nature of the incident, the remediation effort,
and future prevention steps. Common audiences for information could include: The media Unions
and contractors Shareholders Neighbors Employees families and retirees Since the media is such an
important link to the public, disaster plans and tests must contain procedures for addressing the
media and communicating important information. A trained spokesperson should be designated,
and established communications procedures should be prepared. Accurate and approved
information should be released in a timely manner, without speculation, blame, or obfuscation.
Source: Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, August, 1998.