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Today, I attended the second day of a very informative workshop dealing with issues of regional evacuation planning within Northern Nevada. The presenter, Jonathan Best of Disaster By Design LLC, shed light on the challenges of dealing with issues of disclosure of information before and during disasters.
The focus of the second was on issues like critical issues like crisis communication, evacuation routes and public shelters. One issue that caught my personal attention is this:
Is it Ok for emergency management authorities not to disclose the location of public shelters and potential evacuation routes to the general public?
Upon reflecting on the issue, I found reasons both in favor and not in favor of disclosing the location of shelters and evacuation routes.
Based on the public ‘s right to know, one may argue that:
- It is in the interest of the public to know the location of these places and routes regardless,
- Whoever refuses to disclose these places of public interest should be willing to face consequence in event of a disaster
- It is the absolute of the public to be informed in a democratic and pluralistic society
On the other hand, one may also argue that it is not a wise thing to disclose because:
- It is in the interest of the public to protect this information because terrorist may abuse such information
- It allows authorities to make adjustments depending on the kind of disaster that occurs
- Non disclosure enables the citizens to follow instructions from authorities and not rush to shelters- perhaps creating issue.
According to the workshop leader, Mr Best, issues of disclosure vary from place to place. He explained that he believes the issue is best resolved at a local level.
Please share with us what you think.
Should public authorities disclose or not disclose the location of public shelters and evacuation routes to the general public prior to disasters? Leave a comment. Thanks!
Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM
Reno, Nevada Emergency Management Blogger
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Tags: emergency evacuation, Evacuation in Reno, evacuation routes in Nevada, public shelters, Regional emergency evacuation planning, Washoe County
I think this issues draws on a much larger issue; are emergency management personnel willing to share more or less information with public? should they share EOP’s? SOP’s? My personal opinion is that shelter’s in rural areas should be disclosed to the public. I need to include that information for my family as a part of our household plan. I do not believe it places an unreasonable burden on EM’s to disclose information that may save lives.
Dear Sir or M’am,
I appreciate your feedback. For me, I think they are not so keen to open up on this issue. I differ with them on this.
I am for the fact that- let people know. Give them the information.
My view.
Gideon