Are you getting the message?



DELAWARE HEALTH 

AND SOCIAL SERVICES


Division of Public Health


Crisis and Emergency 
Communications


Kae Mason


Chief, Office of Health and Risk Communications


Kae.Mason@state.de.us



In an emergency, we communicate 
with everyone in Delaware


DPH coordinates with many partners to 
provide accurate and timely information 
to all segments of the population.



The First Message


•Should go out 30 minutes upon declaration of a health emergency.


•Health messages go out regularly during an emergency.


•Messages can be detailed – understand before you act.




•Instructions are designed to minimize illness or adverse health outcomes.


Hospital 

Acute Care Center 

Medical Needs Shelter 

Red Cross Shelter 

Mobile Medical Facility 

Neighborhood Emergency Help Center 

Special Needs Shelter


It is important to follow all instructions carefully



•Travel Restrictions
•Shelter-in-place
•Isolation
•Quarantine



It is important to follow all instructions carefully



•Radio
•Television
•Newspapers
•Interviews
•Press Release
•Press Conference



Media


Methods of Communication



Public Service Announcements


•City Radio in Wilmington (1050 AM)
•DELDOT Radio (1380 AM)
•Local AM/FM radio stations



Radio:


Television:


•Local stations 
•Regional stations 



•Weather Channel crawler
•Message crawler 



Cable TV:


•Emergency Alert System (Radio, TV)
•DE Emergency Notification System (DENS)


- Reverse 911 System


Others:


Methods of Communication



•Health messages for medical 


professionals concerning patient care.

•Can originate from CDC.
•Can originate from DPH for Delaware 


specific situations.


Methods of Communication


DE Health Alert Network (DHAN)


To sign up: http://dhss.delaware.gov/main/mailforms/dph_hanform.aspx



•Public Meetings
•Neighborhood Canvassing
•Leaflets
•Ham radios, broadband
•Electronic bulletins (Text, blast fax, etc.)
•Investigative Response Teams


(Epidemiologists, environmental health specialists, nurses)


Methods of Communication



•State of Delaware - http://www.delaware.gov


- Delaware Emergency Management Agency 

- Delaware Division of Public Health 

- DPH Fact Sheets - www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/factsheetsaz.html

•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - www.cdc.gov


•State Health Operations Center Call Center


- Activated during public health emergencies

- 48 person call center staffed with public health employees

1-866-408-1899 (only active during health emergencies)


Methods of Communication


Internet



QUESTIONS?



Will you get the message?



DELAWARE HEALTH 

AND SOCIAL SERVICES


Division of Public Health


Office of Health and Risk Communications

(302) 744-4704