Essay
Memorandum
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
The community faces the risk of a tornado. Therefore, this memo will focus on three primary subjects:
• a critique of hazard communication tools and existing strategies that are being used in the community
• the action that the officials should take to reduce the risk
• ways of communicating the risk on social media sites
Currently, the community is using various hazard communication tools and strategies in handling this hazard. One such tool is local sirens. This tool is effective in that everyone has learned to associate these sirens with a looming tornado and hence take the necessary caution. Local radios and televisions are also used to inform the community members about an impending tornado. However, these media are not as effective as they should be. This can be attributed to the fact that they do not communicate the messages early enough. For instance, they often inform the community about a tornado when it has already hit the area. The local government has invested in creating awareness on ways families can protect themselves from the hazard. For example, families are encouraged to designate areas in their home as a shelter where family members can go in response to a tornado threat; as such, many families have a basement or storm cellar where they can hide. This strategy has really Helped in reducing the number of causalities.
To reduce this risk, the elected officials should play an active role in advocating for more funding so that the community can prepare well for these eventualities. Also, the officials should be at the forefront in encouraging community members to be always on the lookout for tornado watches and tornado warnings. Moreover, they can supply the community with emergency supplies like flash lights, extra batteries, first aid kits, food etc.
The officials could say the following in a Twitter or social media post:
• Tornado alert! it is time for you and your family to take cover in your basements and storm cellars
• The National Weather Service has indicate that a tornado is likely to develop in the coming weeks; always listen to the radio or television for further developments
In concluding, it is advisable to always ensure that you provide true information when addressing the media. This will ensure that community take the right message and hence take appropriate strategies to protect themselves and their family members.
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