6.3. Secure Technical Assistance

The inclusion of simple chemical risk translation, technical messaging, and reasoning in protective action and other pre- and post-incident communications will increase their effectiveness. Integrating a chemical technical advisor/subject matter expert into the communications team as early as possible during (or, preferably, before) the incident will enable the team to draft language for response agencies, responders, and the public that clearly and simply explains chemical-specific risks, clarifies the importance of recommended protective actions, and addresses responder and public concerns about exposures. Pre-incident, an advisor can help pre-prepare information specific for local chemical risks and can help incorporate such information into plans, job aids, and checklists to ensure decision makers have access to critical technical information early in an incident when they are establishing response priorities. The advisor can also translate technical information for other communications staff and distill the large amount of information flow following a chemical incident down to the most critical elements of information for messaging the public and responders. When rumors and mis- and disinformation about the incident appear across social media platforms, a technical advisor can quickly assess questionable messages and assist in drafting messages to counter misinformation and promote official guidance. Finally, some messages are best delivered by scientific experts, and for some platforms and media types, like live interviews, a technical expert should be in front of a camera.

Understandably, few jurisdictions have a chemical expert on staff. Instead, jurisdictions should identify where these resources exist in their community and explore options to close gaps in this expertise. An advisor may be available from community, state, or national organizations where chemical professionals are already in place, such as state occupational health or environmental protection agencies. Alternatively, a Chemical Operations Support Specialist (COSS) located in the state or region may be available.

The Chemical Operations Support Specialist (COSS) program is designed to fill a chemical incident response gap: there are too few chemical experts who can integrate seamlessly into emergency management operations. COSS are a NIMS-typed resource developed through FEMA’s OET. As a chemical safety professional, a COSS can integrate with the incident command system to provide expert chemical information to responders and emergency managers. COSS are also trained to know what federal resources can be leveraged to assist if needed. Perhaps their most important skill, however, is supporting effective communications in times of crisis. COSS are specifically trained to serve as communicators; they can assist PIOs and other communications staff, members of the IC/UC or JIC, and other communications channels. COSS can help distill the large amount of information flow following a chemical incident down to the most critical elements of information for messaging the decision-makers, responders, and the public.

A COSS can also be invaluable asset during chemical incident communications planning, training, and exercising. A COSS can help develop and refine communications plans and pre-scripted messages in these stages.