Study Looks At Radio's Emergency Response

An article in the JOURNAL OF RADIO AND AUDIO MEDIA's NOVEMBER issue analyzes with the radio industry's preparedness in crisis situations and concludes that stations should "recognize and embrace their role in community response to a crisis and prepare accordingly," including participating in disaster drills and other training. 

The report, "Serving the Public Interest in a Crisis: Radio and Its Unique Role," written by PATRIC R. SPENCE, KENNETH A. LACHLAN, JJ MCINTYRE, and MATTHEW SEEGER, surveyed 127 radio stations and noted that "many stations do not invest much time in crisis training and preparedness, and instead rely heavily on the EAS system."  Despite that, says the report, radio has in past crises responded effectively, and the study suggests that "the ability of radio stations to respond quickly and effectively to crises is likely derived from other factors. Some researchers have identified a tendency of communities to self- organize in response to a crisis. It may be that the response capacity of radio stations is a case of self or emergency organization."

The report credits radio with "diligence in providing information during times of national crises" such as 9/11, but for local crises, the research indicated that the larger the market, the less likely a station is apt to have an emergency plan.

Read the full report by clicking here.

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