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Becoming the Master of Disaster: The Rhode Island Story

Presented by Dana Alexander Nolfe Chief Public Affairs Officer Rhode Island Department of Transportation 401-222-1362 x4450 or dnolfe@dot.ri.gov . Becoming the Master of Disaster: The Rhode Island Story. In the beginning… PR was simple.

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Becoming the Master of Disaster: The Rhode Island Story

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  1. Presented by Dana Alexander Nolfe Chief Public Affairs Officer Rhode Island Department of Transportation 401-222-1362 x4450 or dnolfe@dot.ri.gov Becoming theMaster of Disaster: The Rhode Island Story

  2. In the beginning… PR was simple

  3. Discussed bridge building, steel erection and worker safety

  4. We’d talk to reporters about… Reconstruction, resurfacing and rehabilitation Rebar, rerouting, and right turn on red But then something changed… Mother Nature wanted to get into the transportation act, too

  5. DOT PIO to Weather Wiz Recognize this?

  6. Good reason for this change

  7. Snow, Wind & Water: 3 case studies

  8. January 2011: Blizzard shuts RI down • Snow pack started December 26, 2010 • One of the most intense winters in memory • Storm started Tuesday, January 11, 2011 • Peak scheduled to hit RI during its morning commute on Wednesday, January 12, 2011

  9. TV totals up the snow Rhode Island shuts down on Tuesday, January 12, 2011 Governor and EMA press briefings held

  10. SNOW DAY! Unless you are the DOT PR person Press Releases and Social Media The Governor does his own shoveling Press Releases When the Storm is Over Residents should use caution when digging out from the storm. Excessive snow shoveling can cause a range of health problems, from back injuries to heart attack, if not done in moderation. Residents should not over exert themselves and should take frequent breaks from shoveling. * This snow storm has dropped more than a foot of snow on the ground and on roofs, so homeowners are advised to check snow pack on their own roofs and to remove snow if necessary and if it can be done safely to avoid a collapse. Whether or not your home will require snow removal depends on a number of factors, including the amount of snow on the roof, and the age of the roof. Newer roofs are able to withstand more weight than older roofs, for instance. Homeowners are encouraged to assess the risk of collapse, while being mindful of the risk of personal injury before removing snow from roofs. A contractor could be helpful in assessing the need for snow removal. Rhode Islanders who are able to help elderly neighbors and others who need assistance in removing snow are encouraged to do so. Residents are also asked to check on the welfare of elderly neighbors and those with special needs during the storm. * As always, it is advisable to have an emergency preparedness kit on hand with some or all of the following items: * Flashlights and batteries in your home and car; * A battery-powered radio or NOAA weather radio to listen for advisories; * Bottled water; 1 gallon per person, per day is advised; * Non-perishable food for the home and car; * A first aid kit. Travel Safety * If while traveling you get stuck in deep snow, do NOT let your engine idle if your exhaust pipe is buried. Idling with a buried exhaust pipe also risks carbon monoxide poisoning. If you suspect that you are experiencing CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. * Other tips for the road

  11. Shutting down the State allowed for faster and easier snow removal Few Pedestrians Clear Roads

  12. My name is Earl, Hurricane Earl

  13. Looks like it is headed right towards RI: September 2010 First major hurricane to threaten New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991 Activated RI Emergency Management Agency Prepped Governor and Cabinet • RIDOT used all communications tools available, including electronic message signs

  14. Messaging Prepared Get Ready… Get Set… Press Conference with Governor

  15. Miss… Just a heavy rainstorm

  16. Mother of all RI Natural Disasters: The Great Flood of 2010

  17. Rainstorms: One-Two Punch Turns roads into rivers, rivers into rapids, and cuts off access to the main state airport Closed the State’s main shopping district Cut off access to homes and businesses Shut RI down

  18. Could Kayak on Bike Paths At the height of the storm, 100 roads and 200 bridges were closed Highways were Waterways

  19. RIDOT to the rescue

  20. Keys to Survival:Website and Social Media

  21. Giving Rhode Island what it wants

  22. Numbers speak for themselves Website: 84,000 hits vs. typical 2,100 hits 4,000 percent increase Single web address used on Facebook & Twitter saw 8,348 hits Dozens of re-tweets meant the message was spreading on its own At the peak of storm on March 30, 2010

  23. What has RIDOT learned?

  24. We are the DOT and the media…all rolled into one

  25. No need to wait for old media…Use new media to tell the story

  26. When we tell the story ourselves, people listen

  27. Weather any storm with theWeb and Social Media

  28. Thank You

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