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Abstract: Through a national survey of counties (n =435) this study benchmarks how counties communicate disaster information to Spanish-speaking Hispanics. The study found that most counties employ at least one channel to communicate Spanish-language disaster information. Counties, however, believe that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state emergency management agencies are most responsible and capable of developing and providing Spanish-language disaster information. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A survey of U.S. public relations practitioners (n =126) found that three-quarters of their employer organizations had a written crisis communications plan and that organizations, as a whole, were reasonably prepared to engage in crisis communications. Preparedness was measured based on the presence of a crisis plan as well as indices related to tactics, training, the maintenance of contact lists, and media monitoring. Preparedness was found to be positively correlated to organization size, the level of autonomy, and delegation of authority within the organization, and the process orientation of the organization, but not organization type nor involvement in international versus domestic-only operations. Practitioners from organizations with plans had lower assessments of their relationships with publics, but greater confidence in their ability to respond. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the use of public relations, particularly situational theory of publics, for assessing response to the New Madrid earthquake prediction affecting the New Madrid region of central United States. Features of situational theory; Background to the New Madrid earthquake prediction; Public response to earthquakes; Demographic descriptors of situational publics.

Abstract: Local emergency managers are charged by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase the number of community members with emergency plans and kits. This outcome remains unrealized in part based upon in-depth interviews with 37 emergency managers in eight states revealing that emergency managers conceptualize communication as dissemination rather than as a process of research and evaluation. This study calls for local emergency managers to conduct outcome evaluations of risk communication campaigns to increase public participation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]