call for quality information. Sources that trust you. That trust is not going to instantly develop during an emergency. You need to be proactive. If possible, meet your sources face to face. Invite them to look around your newsroom, office or facilities. Show them what you do with the information they provide. Explain how you will be helping them get their message to the people who need it. Take time to visit them and see how they work during an emergency. Understand their processes and the pressures on them. Knowing you personally will help you get priority when they are busy dealing with multiple requests. As well as relationships with key personnel in emergency management services and other organizations/agencies, consider the relationship with your audience. Do they know that you will provide them with timely information? Do they know when they are likely to hear or see it? Do they know what services you provide - and don’t provide - during an emergency? For newsrooms, preparedness stories are one way to communicate the message that you will be a source of information that can help them. For example, at the ABC we publish reports offering a view of what the upcoming fire season looks like2, as well as guides to packing emergency kits3. This sort of content can be offered by newsrooms, aid agencies and other organizations, and helps set the stage for how you can be of help to the public. It’s also important to get the information flowing the other way, too. Your audience and community will be a valuable important source of information for you in an emergency. Encourage your audience to call, email or text you with information. This can start with traffic snarls, weather photos and other information. Training staff At the ABC we start with an Emergency Broadcast Plan. In it are clear instructions for how to treat official warnings on air, as well as information such as transmission coverage maps to make sure the warnings get to the people affected. We also have in our plan information that anchors can use on air to help people. The information comes from the various emergency management agencies. For example: “Fill up your bath with water so you can use that water to put out spot fires if the water pressure falls,” or “Fasten all cyclone screens. Board up or heavily tape exposed windows.” Part of your preparation should also include gathering advice that can be provided to the public when disaster strikes. This can be collected as you reach out to your sources ahead of time. 88