7.6 Managing Media

VERSION 1.0 – DECEMBER 2023

Purpose: To provide a structured process for managing media coverage during emergency incidents.

Scope: This is relevant to all operators in the State Operations Communications Centre (SurfCom).

1. Coordinating Media Requests
   1.1 All external media requests must be directed to the Media team who will liaise with the operators to provide a timely and accurate response.
   1.2 All media requests must be logged, and the responses must be recorded to ensure consistency and accuracy.
   1.3 The Internal Media team will coordinate with the operators to ensure that key messages are disseminated to the media.

2. Proactive Warnings and Intelligence
   2.1 Operators must monitor weather and beach conditions and coordinate with relevant agencies to obtain up-to-date information.
   2.2 SurfCom will coordinate the development and distribution of weather warnings and advisories.
   2.3 Weather warnings and advisories must be issued promptly to ensure timely dissemination of accurate information to the public.

3. Procedure
   3.1 All operators must report major incidents to the internal media representative as soon as practicable.
   3.2 All operators must refrain from providing any details to any external media agencies, staff or members who are not involved in the incident.
   3.3 All operators must maintain appropriate records of notifications to the media team, any incoming information request from any external media agencies must be noted within the incident and relayed to the media team.