Maintaining communication during relief and recovery efforts: the ADF public affairs capability

The emergency response information space will invariably be well-serviced by designated state and local-level spokespeople, emergency service agencies communications staff, the media and indeed information from civilian eyewitnesses or ‘citizen journalists’. Each member is trained to navigate the hazards on the ground, have a keen understanding of the news cycle to provide timely and accurate information and the right equipment to ensure that still and video imagery is of the highest quality possible, easy to edit and ready to broadcast. Additionally, a Military Public Affairs Officer or Team Leader assists as an information conduit to the chain of command, civilian emergency response partners and any military liaison officers embedded within Emergency Coordination Centres, making sure information flows through all channels and reaches the public via the right agency.