Engage the media Coast Guard's public affairs posture during the response to Hurricane Katrina

Download
Author
Austin, Meredith L.
Date
2007-03Advisor
Thomas, Gail
Second Reader
Bellavita, Christopher
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
During a crisis, one of the most important actions a government (specifically the federal executive branch) should take is to inform the public about the actions being taken to resolve the crisis, or steps the public should take to protect themselves as soon as possible. If the public does not believe the government understands what is occurring, they will not have confidence in the plans being made. Hurricane Katrina was a case in which the federal government failed to inform the public what positive steps it was taking to respond to the incident. As a result, the public perceived that there were no positive steps being taken at all, reducing the trust in the federal government. A notable exception was the Coast Guard, which received much praise in the media and by the public. This paper examines Coast Guard culture, its public affairs program and response frameworks, including the National Response Plan and the National Contingency Plan. Next, timelines of Hurricane Katrina activities show what actions were taken by different agencies, including the Coast Guard. Finally, reasons why the Coast Guard succeeded are given, along with a list of actions other agencies may take to improve their public affairs posture.
Description
CHDS State/Local
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Homeland Security Affairs Journal, Volume II - 2006: Issue 3, October
Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate SchoolCenter for Homeland Defense and Security, 2006-10);October 2006. Welcome to Volume 2, Issue Three of Homeland Security Affairs. This issue is dedicated to the memory of Lacy Suiter. I believe Lacy would be embarrassed by the idea of dedicating an issue of anything to him. ... -
A contractor's introduction to the Federal Acquisition System
Sullivan, Andrew J. (Monterey California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2005);In general, the intent of Government contracting is to provide an equal opportunity for anyone to get Federal work. The process of selection is not restricted. This is fair to all, and promotes the free market system. ... -
Homeland Security Affairs Journal, Volume I - 2005: Issue 1, Summer
Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate SchoolCenter for Homeland Defense and Security, 2005-06);June 2005. We are pleased to present the inaugural issue of Homeland Security Affairs. The primary goal of the journal is to be the academic publication that furthers the discussion and debate of important elements that ...