Report on School Emergency Communication and the Impact of Misinformation

Introduction

School safety leaders nationwide play a crucial role in educating and informing their communities during emergencies. The sharing of relevant and timely information is essential to enhancing school safety, which must remain procedurally adaptable to incorporate best practices based on evolving evidence. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by promoting safe and inclusive learning environments.

Role of Social Media in School Safety Communication

Over the past two decades, social media platforms have become significant channels for reporting and sharing school safety information. While these platforms enable school safety professionals to reach broad audiences, they also carry the responsibility to ensure accurate information dissemination. The prevalence of misinformation—false or misleading information—poses challenges to effective communication during emergencies, impacting community trust and safety.

Implications of Misinformation During School Emergencies

Misinformation can severely undermine emergency response efforts in schools. The following outlines four key impacts:

1. Delayed Reactions: False information about the nature or severity of an emergency can cause inappropriate or slow responses from school personnel, students, and parents, jeopardizing lives.
2. Panic and Confusion: Rapid spread of disinformation increases anxiety and hampers logical decision-making, reducing the effectiveness of emergency procedures.
3. Resource Diversion: Emergency services may be misallocated to address fictitious incidents, straining limited resources and delaying response to actual emergencies.
4. Propagation of Misinformation: Social media and word-of-mouth can perpetuate false narratives, eroding public trust in official communication channels and complicating crisis management.

Strategies for School Safety Professionals to Mitigate Misinformation

To maintain credibility and ensure reliable information sharing, school safety professionals should adopt the following practices:

1. Patience: Avoid immediate dissemination of unverified information during critical incidents.
2. Research: Consult credible, local sources for accurate updates.
3. Drafting Communications: Prepare preliminary messages that can be refined as more information becomes available.
4. Information Compilation: Summarize key takeaways to facilitate quick understanding by school personnel.
5. Timeliness: Share information when audience engagement is highest to maximize reach and comprehension.

Collaboration with Joint Information Centers (JIC)

Partnering with FEMA’s Joint Information Center (JIC) enhances coordinated communication during crises. The JIC serves as a centralized hub for consistent, accurate messaging among agencies and public information officers, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration across institutions.

• Establishing relationships with JIC prior to emergencies ensures early access to verified information.
• Aligning school communications with JIC messaging prevents conflicting information and reduces public confusion.
• Engaging emergency management offices in drills and exercises strengthens preparedness and response capabilities.

Importance of Standardized Emergency Terminology

Clear and consistent use of emergency response language is vital to avoid misunderstandings that can cause unnecessary alarm. For example, the term “Secure” in the Standard Response Protocol indicates normal indoor operations with restricted outdoor activity, which differs significantly from the more alarming term “lockdown.” Standardizing terminology supports SDG 4 by promoting safe educational environments and enhances community trust.

Conclusion

Effective communication during school emergencies is integral to safeguarding students, staff, and communities. By combating misinformation, fostering partnerships, and standardizing terminology, school safety professionals contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education, peace, and strong institutions. These efforts ensure that schools remain safe, resilient, and prepared to respond calmly and effectively to crises.

Report prepared by Joey Melvin, Executive Director of the Delaware School Safety Center, with over 20 years of law enforcement experience and leadership in comprehensive school safety planning.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on school safety during emergencies, which directly relates to ensuring the health and well-being of students, staff, and communities.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Safe school environments are critical to providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses combating misinformation and promoting effective communication during crises, which supports peaceful and inclusive societies and builds effective, accountable institutions.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Emphasis on collaboration with FEMA’s Joint Information Center and other emergency management agencies highlights the importance of partnerships to achieve safety and communication goals.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents (analogous to reducing injuries and fatalities in emergencies through better safety protocols).
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks (relevant to emergency preparedness and misinformation management).
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (related to reliable communication and trusted information sources).
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements (combating misinformation and promoting accurate information).
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships (collaboration with emergency agencies and Joint Information Centers).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 3
   • Number of injuries and fatalities in school emergencies (implied through emphasis on safety and mitigation).
   • Existence and effectiveness of early warning and emergency communication systems in schools.
2. Indicators for SDG 4
   • Number or percentage of schools with established and practiced emergency communication protocols.
   • Measures of school environment safety and inclusivity during emergencies.
3. Indicators for SDG 16
   • Level of public trust in official information during emergencies (implied by discussion on misinformation impact).
   • Frequency and effectiveness of coordinated communication among institutions (e.g., use of Joint Information Centers).
   • Incidence of misinformation spread during emergencies.
4. Indicators for SDG 17
   • Number of partnerships and collaborations between schools and emergency management agencies.
   • Participation rates in joint communication drills and exercises.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: campussafetymagazine.com