The plan described in figure 2-4 cannot completely
detail all the actions to be taken by individual personnel
throughout the duration of a disaster. However, it does
outline the immediate actions for each member of the
staff to take and it assigns general responsibilities to
each for the duration of the progression of the disaster.
It serves to get everyone started; then it is up to the senior
JO and the PAO to adjust their resources and make
specific assignments based on the specialized
requirements of the disaster.
The checklists, telephone lists and other various
informational materials appended to the office plan are
the most important to its success. The specific informa-
tion and manner of presentation will, of course, differ
with individual public affairs staffs and commands. The
type of data will, however, be much the same anywhere
and would include many or all of the following items.
POLICY MATERIALS.— The public affairs staff
must have selected policy materials close at hand to
facilitate the release of information. Of course, the
command plan will be a big help, but the officer in
command and other staff officers may want to see
specific references authorizing action. These include,
but are not limited to, the following items:
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PA Regs, Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual
Department of the Navy Information and
Personnel Security Program Regulation
(OPNAVINST 5510.1 series), The Navy and
Marine Corps Disaster Preparedness Manual
(OPNAVINST 3440.16 series), Navy Visual
Information Management and Operations
Manual (OPNAVINST 5290.1 series) and the
Manual of the Judge Advocate General. Chapter
8 of PA Regs lists several other references that
you should also review.
Sample releases made in other disasters to
illustrate what has been done in the past.
Statements made by the Chief of Naval
Operations in regard to the Iowa tragedy or
Midway fire, for instance, might prove useful.
Case studies of past disasters containing recom-
mendations for handling disasters. The CHINFO
Plans and Policy Division keeps on file copies of
several excellent case studies made on the public
affairs aspects of past naval disasters.
BACKGROUND MATERIALS.— The bulk of the
material appended to the office plan will probably be
background information. If it is not possible for you to
append all such material physically, a notation should
be made stating where the material is available.
Background materials might include the following
items:
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Command history.
Fact sheets on the command and the various
ships, aircraft, missiles, and so forth, which
might be assigned.
Biographies and photographs of the CO, XO and
C/MC.
Background information on units likely to be
involved in disaster relief activities, such as the
fire station and hospital.
Definitions of naval terms and nomenclature
peculiar to your unit or operation.
Lists of all material in the command of a sensitive
nature or which may require special security
treatment.
Biographies of all test pilots (if applicable).
Fact sheets concerning normal naval activities
performed by units which could be involved in a
disaster.
Histories or fact sheets of previous disasters in
the command.
General hometown information on all military
personnel.
One-minute video clips of equipment, aircraft
and ships assigned to the command. These are
available to commands on request from the Naval
Imaging Command in Washington, D.C.
A current listing of Navy enlisted classifications
(NECs) that explains the duties of each Navy
enlisted rating.
Up-to-date statistics
production, and so
command.
concerning personnel,
forth, concerning the
Information on any local materials which might
cause anxiety in a disaster, for example,
explosives and nuclear materials.
A list of relief facilities immediately available to
next of kin (survivors
payment, etc.).
benefits, death gratuity
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