Vol 5 Unit 4

Question 1

What is the role of PA as it relates to crisis communication?

Answer 1

To communicate the commander’s message; both to the internal audiences, as well as the public.

Question 2

To whom does PA communicate during a crisis?

Answer 2

The public.

Question 3

Which AFIs must PA accident plans agree?

Answer 3

AFMAN 10-2504 and AFI 91–204.

Question 4

List five items a typical emergency crash kit would include.

Answer 4

Any five of the following:
(1) Pertinent AFI 35–101 excerpts, plus any local PA operating instruction.
(2) Commander’s key messages.
(3) Key staff biographies and fact sheets.
(4) Step-by-step checklists dealing with specific situations such as: natural disaster, bomb threat, fire or
on-base and off-base accidents.
(5) Draft news releases with fill-in-the-blank lines enclosed in document protectors.
(6) Reference lists detailing area military PA office contacts, civic leader contacts, local news media
contacts, and PA office recall roster.
(7) Blank event logs and AF Forms 39, (Response to Query).
(8) Pens, pencils, and audiovisual markers.
(9) Coins or phone cards to use pay telephones; or a cell phone with voice and text messaging.

Question 5

What are the three questions do people want Public Affairs to answer immediately following an accident or incident?

Answer 5

(1) What just happened?
(2) How does this impact me?
(3) What are you (the Air Force) doing to fix it?

Question 6

After notification of a nonnuclear accident, when should the initial news release be written?

Answer 6

Within one hour after notification

Question 7

What should you do when writing the release and all the information is not available?

Answer 7

Release the information you have.

Question 8

Who has authority over accidents that occur off an installation?

Answer 8

State and local authorities.

Question 9

In overseas areas, whose policies and directives must PA activities conform to during on-base disturbances?

Answer 9

Host nation, and other instructions of the unified commander who is responsible for that area.

Question 10

a. Who is the release authority for information for on-base disturbances?
b. What must the initial news release include?

Answer 10

a. Local commander.
b. The nature and background of the disturbance, number of personnel involved, damage or injury estimates, command actions, and a statement that the cause is being investigated.

Question 11

How do crisis incidents differ from on-base disturbances?

Answer 11

A crisis incident is characterized by violence and may include, but is not limited to, the use of automobile,
luggage, or parcel explosives; land mines; fire bombs; poisons; environmental terrorism; ambush killings
and assassinations; taking of hostages; kidnapping; hijacking; theft of weapons; armed robbery; mass demonstrations; and sabotage. Conversely, on base disturbances include protests and marches due to social,
political, or economic unrest.

Question 12

What is DOD’s policy concerning the crisis management forces?

Answer 12

Disapprove media requests for interviews, videotaping, and coverage of training for crisis response forces.

Question 13

When an accident occurs off the installation, in an area accessible to the media, who must arrive
at the accident site with the on-scene commander?

Answer 13

Initial response force.

Question 14

After responding to an accident, why should communications be established at once between the on-scene PA representative, the Public Affairs office/media center, and the command post representatives?

Answer 14

This permits the PA representative at the site and those at the Public Affairs office to coordinate information for release on a timely basis.

Question 15

If accidents and incidents are likely to require around-the-clock PA support for several days, what action should the Public Affairs office take?

Answer 15

(1) Set up a 24-hour news media operations Center. If other federal, state, and local response force public
affairs officers are on scene, the media center should be a joint operation.
(2) Give Air Force news releases about the accident to state, local, or other officials responsible for
informing the public and media or who need the releases for any other purpose.
(3) Anticipate public concerns and issue news releases before such concerns distort public perceptions.
(4) Ask the next higher PA echelon for additional people and equipment if needed.
(5) Have each PA staff member record media and public queries on AF Form 39.
(6) Use a central log to record the time of accident, important developments, time of release, policy
received from higher PA echelons and how or when it was implemented, and thumbnail sketches of
most significant queries and events.
(7) Alert switchboard operators to direct all news media and public calls to the media center.

Question 16

What must happen before the name of a person killed in an aircraft accident can be released?

Answer 16

Until the next of kin are notified.

Question 17

Which questions must be answered first before initiating an initial response to a crisis?

Answer 17

What happened? Where did it happen? Where do we need to be? What logistics do we need?

Question 18

With which locations is the PA office responsible for communicating during a crisis?

Answer 18

The PA office is responsible for coordinating the logistics and communications between PA personnel at
the scene of the accident, the Emergency Operations Center and the Media Operations Center.

Question 19

List three logistical concerns a PA professional should consider when responding during a crisis?

Answer 19

Any three of the following:

(1) Will the on-scene PA representative have access to water, food, and communications equipment?
(2) Are there enough radios available for all key locations or are cell phones a better option?
(3) Will one or the other (radios or cell phones) be a better option?
(4) What is the weather going to be?

Question 20

How is it possible to receive queries about an accident or incident from members of the media
before official notification is given by the Command Post?

Answer 20

Members of the media often use scanners to listen to emergency response frequencies.

Question 21

When responding to queries, what is the fastest way to obtain information?

Answer 21

Directly from the PA representatives on the scene of the incident and at the Emergency Operations Center.

Question 22

What form should be used to track and document questions from the media?

Answer 22

AF Form 39.

Question 23

Describe what it means for a PA representative to be “on scene” during a crisis.

Answer 23

Responding to a crisis “on scene” simply means at the actual location where there has been an accident or incident.

Question 24

What are the responsibilities of the PA representative when on scene during a crisis?

Answer 24

When on scene, the PA representative must gather and relay information back to the PA office, document
(with still or video camera) the accident and be prepared to escort media who show up.

Question 25

Who has jurisdiction of an accident when it is on base?

Answer 25

The on-scene commander.

Question 26

If media is allowed on base to cover an accident, what must Public Affairs personnel brief them?

Answer 26

The PA representative must be prepared to brief the media on any sensitive or restricted areas; as well as any safety issues.

Question 27

Who has jurisdiction of an accident when it occurs off base?

Answer 27

The local authorities have jurisdiction off base.

Question 28

Define an Emergency Operations Center.

Answer 28

An Emergency Operations Center can be thought of as a central hub in which key personnel gather to collect and exchange information so the commander can get an accurate picture of the crisis situation and make the appropriate decisions.

Question 29

List three types of representatives you can expect to find at the EOC.

Answer 29

You will find representatives from the fire department, security forces, legal, and civil engineering.

Question 30

What is the primary responsibility of the PA representative at the EOC?

Answer 30

One of your primary responsibilities is to act as a liaison between the PA office, the EOC commander and
the PA representative at the scene of the crisis

Question 31

Why is it important to verify the accuracy of your information before releasing it?

Answer 31

By verifying the accuracy, you not only ensure correct information is released to the public; you also ensure
that the decision-makers have the critical information they need to make the right decisions.

Question 32

Define a Media Center.

Answer 32

A Media Center, also referred to as a Media Operations Center, is a location on base where members of the
media can gather to collect information and file their stories.

Question 33

What type of communications capabilities should a Media Center have? Why?

Answer 33

These centers typically have telephones, computer ports/access, fax machines or other communications
capabilities so the media can send their stories back to their home office.

Question 34

Why would a PA representative need additional assistance when operating a Media Center?

Answer 34

You will need to have someone running the MOC and people available to escort media from the gate to the MOC and from the MOC to the scene of the accident.

Question 35

What should a PA representative do if feeling “swarmed” by the media during a crisis?

Answer 35

The PA representative should remain composed, professional, and ready to respond.

Question 36

What is DOD’s policy concerning the release of information about any nuclear accident that does not cause a public hazard or undue public alarm?

Answer 36

Information about any nuclear accident that does not cause a public hazard or undue public alarm must not be released without OASD/PA approval.

Question 37

When can the on-scene commander confirm the presence of nuclear weapons or radioactive nuclear components?

Answer 37

In the interest of public safety in the United States and its territories and possessions, confirmation of
nuclear weapons or radioactive nuclear weapon components may be made by any on-scene commander.

Question 38

How often must commanders and PAOs inform news media and civil law enforcement officials about Air Force policies on handling accidents?

Answer 38

At least once a year.

Question 39

What publication establishes the requirement for these accident briefings?

Answer 39

DOD Directive 5230.16.

Question 40

How often must on-base briefings be held for base disaster response and support agencies concerning Air Force policies on handling accidents?

Answer 40

Public Affairs is responsible for briefing unit security forces, Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents, firefighters, explosive ordnance disposal, operations, legal, medical, disaster preparedness, and any
other Air Force people who respond to accidents; at intervals not to exceed 12 months.