Doing “A Heck of A Job”
As we enter another summertime storm-tornado-wildfire-hurricane-disaster cycle, one would think that the communications people at FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, would be ready, especially online, with the latest communications techniques. They have had a lot of time to prepare since hurricane Katrina in 2005 and former President Bush’s poorly stated praise of then-FEMA director, the inexperienced Michael Brown. But, that’s not the case.
The Obama administration has yet to name a political appointee to head communications at FEMA. It’s usually someone with no communications experience or competence so we have no reason to believe it will be otherwise. But more troubling are reports coming from the career communications staff at FEMA that the agency has not so much as inched forward in developing new outreach competencies since Katrina.
The old guard career communications managers staunchly resist learning or doing anything online. They resist blogs and social media. They resist, according to my inside sources, anything contemporary, preferring instead to crank out old-style press releases that are sent to newspapers, some of which are no longer in business. They are focusing more on their retirements, which could not come too soon, I understand.
It’s too bad because FEMA, Homeland Security and other federal agencies have been rocked by a string of embarrassing problems involving incompetent communications people who get caught in dumb scandals. The government deserves better talent.
Filed Under: Crisis Communications • Featured
About the Author: David is a veteran communications strategist ... writer ... blogger ... online publisher ... and Emmy Award winning former CBS Network News correspondent. He lives in the Washington, D. C., area, and works worldwide.
Why not apply for the job? …on second thought…that might be a disaster for all concerned.