flint water crisis
TRANSCRIPT
Climate of DenialThe Flint Water Crisis
Photo Credit: MLive
Photo Credit: MLive
Photo Credit: The Source
Photo Credit: MLive
04.25.2014
Switch to Flint Water
10.2014
Gov. Snyder’s deputy legal adviser urges reconnect to Detroit. Snyder not in email loop. Advisors deny request.
01.2015
Flint energy manager says no to Detroit’s offer to reconnect
07.13.2015
MDEQ spokesperson tells anyone who is concerned about the drinking water in Flint “to Relax” - NPR
09.02.2015
Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards says his team found much higher lead levels in water than city tests
09.24.2015
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha releases a study finding high levels of lead in children’s blood
10.02.2015
Governor Snyder announces plans to help Flint residents, and reconnects Flint’s water system to the Detroit system
10.18.2015
MDEQ Director Dan Wyant acknowledges his “staff made a mistake” that led to the crises - A year and a half after the crisis began.
12.29.2015
MDEQ Director Dan Wyant and Communications Director Brad Wurfel resign
01.19.2016
Governor Snyder apologizes in the State of the state to the people of Flint - “I’m sorry and I will fix it.”
01.21.2016
EPA Region 5 Director Susan Hedman announces resignation
03.21.2016
Flint task force, appointed by the Governor releases its report blaming state government, the governor and especially the MDEQ for the crisis
4.18.2016
Governor Snyder accepts residents challenge to drink Flint Water – He goes to Flint and starts 30 days of drinking filtered Flint water at a resident’s home. He left a few days later on a European trade mission and stopped drinking Flint water
04.20.2016
Two MDEQ and one Flint water plant supervisor are charged with crimes for the crises
05.04.2016
The President of the United State visits Flint and drinks the water
Prepare Don’t Plan
Before a crisis, in the public sector ...
During a crises
Ensure the public is safe
Assure them that you are in control
Be supportive
Focus on Solutions.
Give them a place to go to get updates or keep you informed
Remain visible + accessible
Make your advisors accountable
In the public sector
FOIANOTHING IS PRIVATE, UNLESS IT IS PRIVILEGED
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR?
LessonsTHE WAY FORWARD
IS TO ENGAGE
- Forget the politics.
- Look at all the issues.
- Keep everyone informed.
- Stay results driven.
- Recognize and embrace the sense of urgency.
- Find people to speak with you.
LessonsTHE WAY FORWARD
IS TO ENGAGE
- Know where you are vulnerable
- Respond quickly.
- Don’t blame
- Accept responsibility.
- Be visible
- Remain accessible
- People first
The Heroes
The Heroes
Cardinal Rules of Risk Communication- Accept the public as a legitimate partner- Listen to the audience- Be honest and transparent- Collaborate with credible sources- Meet the needs of the media- Speak clearly and with compassion- Plan carefully and evaluate performance
Thank you: Image CreditsMLIVE
Michiganradio.org
YouTube
Motorcitymuckraker.com
www.npr.org
Utrmichigan.com
Michigan Daily
www.Foxnews.com
WKAR, http://wkar.org/programs/faces-flint#stream/0