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Crafting Your First Statement

What will be in your first statement to the public?

Instructions: Select the best messages to include from the list below.

1. City Utilities has notified us that the security fence at the North City has been breached and unidentified footprints were found on the perimeter of the reservoir.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

Good job!

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

2. At this time, we do not know whether anything was put into the water supply, or who may have been involved with this incident.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

Good job!

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

3. The state health department is testing the water and law enforcement is conducting an investigation.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

Good job!

You should include this message. It indicates what you know about the situation.

4. There is no need for worry as a full investigation is underway.

Sorry.

This is not a good message to include because it dismisses the emotion that the public may be feeling, which will detract from your credibility.

Good job!

This is not a good message to include because it dismisses the emotion that the public may be feeling, which will detract from your credibility.

5. Like everyone else in our community, we are very concerned about the safety of the water, and we understand the anxiety that this situation evokes.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It acknowledges and legitimizes what people may be feeling.

Good job!

You should include this message. It acknowledges and legitimizes what people may be feeling.

6. Until testing is complete, we do not know if the water is safe to drink.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It acknowledges what you don’t know.

Good job!

You should include this message. It acknowledges what you don’t know.

7. Above all else, do not panic.

Sorry.

Avoid this message as it may interpreted as condescending. True panic is relatively rare.

Good job!

Avoid this message as it may interpreted as condescending. True panic is relatively rare.

8. As a precaution, drink and cook with bottled water until further notice. Do not drink tap water.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It gives an action step.

Good job!

You should include this message. It gives an action step.

9. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

Sorry.

You should include this message. It makes a commitment to keep the public informed.

Good job!

You should include this message. It makes a commitment to keep the public informed.