At the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) meeting on Nov. 9. the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications (CCRC) proposed to create an information bank for situations like wildfires and other emergencies.

Principal and Managing Director Benjamin Morgan of CCRC said identifying misinformation is essential since he wants to aid municipalities with vital and accurate information.

Morgan and his CCRC team managed the crisis during the Calgary floods, wildfires and Hurricane Harvey.

He said social media, with all its distractions, can also be a powerful tool and helpful for reporting and crisis management.

Chairperson of RDBN Mark Parker asked how to improve media and press calls or going live on YouTube or television.

Morgan said getting pre-emotive information and identifying the reporters鈥� questions and what they want is an excellent way to manage it.

He said knowing necessary roles, such as what message an elected official should convey to their community, can have its own impact.

He also said having support from the administrative team is essential.

Chief Administrative Officer of RDBN Curtis Helgesen asked how to present a calm message while not having any background information about it.

Morgan said during the heat of a crisis moment, when someone inquires about information, it鈥檚 better to relay the conservation to the support team.

As an example, when there is a wildfire situation, he said, it鈥檚 better to say, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have all of the details at this point, but I can share later when I have all the information.鈥�

Morgan said this way he can leverage back to a more prepared message.

鈥淭his is where the pre-written, pre-cached, pre-approved messaging helps.鈥�

Director of RDBN from Electoral Area B [亚洲天堂 Lake] Michael Riis-Christianson asked how narratives can be controlled from a holding point statement.

Morgan said, 鈥淲e can鈥檛 control the narrative anymore.鈥�

He encourages organizations to be a part of the conversation and have a voice to provide verified information.

Chairperson Parker asked Morgan to share the presentation鈥檚 slide deck with the board so they can go through it again and decide later.

The board has yet to make a decision to move forward with this proposal.