In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

For the next book contest, I am offering two copies of Disaster Communications In A Changing World  by George D. Haddow and Kim S. Haddow. (Thanks to the publisher, Butterworth-Heinemann). I think the book will be of interest to many readers of this blog. It focuses on what I believe is the most interesting new development in public disaster preparedness and response — communications. Though case studies, first-person accounts and secondary research, the Haddows’ book does a nice job of covering and analyzing these important disaster communications changes. 

The book examines the new world of “first informers,” citizens who now have all the new media communications tools at their disposal. These tools offer both great opportunities for the public and the government (as well as the media), but they also present new challenges. As the Haddows write early on, “The government’s role as gatekeeper is now an anachronism.” Disaster Communications will be quite useful for all of those involved in navigating this new environment.

To enter the contest, send me [at jsolomon@incaseofemergencyblog] what you think is the most useful new communications application for citizens to use for disaster preparation/response. I’ll print the answers and pick two entries at random for the free book.

Disaster Communications In A Changing World can be ordered here.