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Risk communications training on FAZD issues
The FAZD Center sponsored a two-day “train the trainer” workshop focused on how to handle risk communications during an outbreak of an animal disease that threatens the public health or the economy.
Twenty-eight communicators participated in the workshop, representing Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Ohio State University, Iowa State University, Purdue University, Kansas State University, the University of Arizona and the University of Georgia. The program is designed to give communicators the tools and training they need to provide instruction to communicators in their regions.
The program is designed to give communicators the tools and training they need to provide instruction to communicators in their regions.
Workshop modules included:
- An introduction to animal diseases that are exotic to the
United States or that may be transmitted from animals to humans,
presented by Dr. Jason Cleere, assistant professor and extension beef
cattle specialist with the Department of Animal Science at Texas
A&M University.
- The importance of media relations
during a disease outbreak, presented by Suzanne Steel, marketing
director for the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences at Ohio State University.
- Working with the news
media, presented by Kay Ledbetter, assistant news editor and
communications specialist with the Texas A&M Research and Extension
Center in Amarillo.
- Handling controversial issues,
presented by Faith Peppers, news editor with the University of
Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- Keeping crises contained, presented by Chris Sigurdson, head of the Agricultural Communications Department at Purdue University.
- Working with television journalists, presented by Sigurdson and Steve Byrns, an assistant professor and extension communications specialist at the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in San Angelo.
Photo: Dr. Jason Cleere of Texas A&M introduces workshop participants to animal diseases that are exotic to the United States or are transmitted from animals to humans.
Photo by Jean Wulfson, digital imaging specialist, Office of the Vice President for Research. Texas A&M University