Budget axe claims PR staff, county asking for volunteers
SAGINAW COUNTY -- Yesterday Mid-Michigan experienced a taste of what a large scale disaster might be like when we experienced tremors from a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that was centered in Virginia. But what if that quake was centered here? While unlikely, a large scale natural disaster is possible in mid-Michigan. We have had them before, the 1953 Beecher tornado in Genesee County is among the most notable.
"You have very destructive tornadoes, we had a train derailment in Freeland a number of years ago you have school shootings that have unfortunately happened across the country anything of that nature when you have a massive emergency response," says JJ Boehm, spokesperson for SVSU
Saginaw Valley State University is working with Saginaw County and the School District to come up with a plan to streamline communications with the media and the public in the event of an emergency. The University is recruiting volunteers who are professionals in public relations or have media experience to assist in a the command center in a crisis because county and city PR people were a victim of budget cuts.
Saginaw County Interim Fire Chief Ricardo Longoria says it is critical for information to be correct to keep people calm so they make good decisions and minimize loss of life. "Anytime something happens there is chaos, that person is there to give you the correct info that you need.
If you want to volunteer and have public relations experience you can contact JJ Boehm at SVSU. They hope to have the plan in place by next year.
