Crisis and Risk Communications Training

Crisis and risk communications training support services for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy (CG-MER-1). The Contractor shall provide crisis and risk communications training for Coast Guard members with duties as senior agency representative/spokesperson related to major oil spills, hazardous substance release, acts of terrorism, and major Search and Rescue (SAR) cases. This training is a 20-hour component of the On-Scene Coordinator Crisis Management Course (OSCCM) at Training Center Yorktown, VA. This training shall enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively communicate and deal with the media during crisis incidents such as oil spills, hazardous materials releases, natural disasters, and responses to acts of terrorism, including weapons of mass destruction. This training should focus on preparing students to act as the agency/corporation Incident Commander for the incident and primary agency spokesperson. The training must include in-class exercises that incorporate video interviews simulating scenarios students are likely to encounter in their role as either the Federal On-Scene Coordinators or Sector Commanders (Coast Guard commands at major ports), or equivalent level military positions of high public visibility. Senior officers and managers attending this course must gain the skills to communicate effectively with the media in a manner that creates trust and credibility and helps alleviate public fear and concern. The purpose of this training is to enhance senior agency/company spokesperson ability and skills to conduct media interviews.