Major Incident Planning and Support (MIP+S) Level 3

100 videos, 6 hours and 37 minutes

Course Content

Dealing with the public

Video 67 of 100
2 min 23 sec
English
English
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Managing Public Interaction in Emergency Situations

Understanding Public Engagement

As a health service officer, interaction with the public may not be typical, but during initial incident stages, it becomes essential.

Challenges of Public Interaction

The public is often stressed and concerned, possibly having friends or relatives involved, requiring tact and empathy in handling.

Utilising Public Assistance

Engaging the public effectively:

  • Early Support: Public assistance begins before official responders arrive and can be directed strategically.
  • Optimising Resources: Use public assistance judiciously, especially in resource-constrained early stages.

Approach to Public Engagement

Engage with authority yet compassion:

  • Identifying Leaders: Target individuals with leadership qualities to delegate tasks effectively.
  • Task Assignment: Direct tasks clearly and assertively, focusing on specific roles like medical assistance or crowd management.
  • Task Orientation: Ensure clarity in instructions; task-oriented approach helps maintain momentum and control.

Effective Leadership Strategies

Guidelines for directing public assistance:

  • Assertive Direction: Issue clear instructions rather than seeking voluntary participation.
  • Adaptability: Reassign tasks swiftly if initial directives are not followed, maintaining operational efficiency.

By effectively managing public interaction, health service officers can enhance incident response coordination and effectiveness.