What's in your disaster 'go-to' bag? Project aims to get journalists better prepared for natural disasters

Journalists need to plan for disasters of all kinds.
(University of Missouri photo)

Kate Maxwell, a fellow at the  University of Missouri's Reynolds School of Journalism, advises journalists and newsrooms to start preparing now for natural disasters. Her community newsroom experience with California's Redwood Fire in October 2017 shapes her advice. She stresses the essential role reporters play throughout a crisis. 

She writes, "Unfortunately, there will always be another disaster coming at us, and our job is to be ready for it."

An edited version of her advice and project is below.

"Right now, the majority of the available training is focused on reporters who might be sent on an assignment to a distant natural disaster — not those directly impacted by a fast-moving event in their own communities. But with the rapidly accelerating climate crisis, more and more small newsrooms and independent journalists will face the need for these skills.

"As both a resident and journalist, I keep two go bags packed: one for reporting emergencies — full of battery packs and tripods, masks, safety gear, helmets, press info and sundries — and another one if I need to evacuate my home. [For your reporting bag], the best approach I've found has been identifying and assembling resources you probably already have, such as robust networks of community and connections."

Timely and accurate news throughout a natural disaster provides communities with a trusted source for information and direction. "But many local news outlets are also currently unprepared to best meet these challenges, especially when both news workers and communications infrastructure may face direct impacts from a wildfire or floods. . . . Dwindling staff jobs, antiquated distribution mechanisms or office equipment, lack of digital flexibility, or revenue challenges — not to mention adequate wages or mental health support — only add to the difficulty.

"I’ll be putting together a guide outlining tools, case studies, and best practices for community-centered reporting before, during, and after emergencies and disasters for small local newsrooms and reporters who may be facing similar situations — because it is impossible to predict or plan for when natural disasters may occur next.

"This will include strategies for newsrooms to build organizational resilience over the long term, ranging from workplace policies and staff support to revenue development. The guide will also include community engagement practices towards increasing equitable and participatory disaster reporting, examining how news outlets and reporters can provide more accessible utility and public service journalism that effectively reaches communities often excluded or ignored from official communications or legacy coverage.

"If you have questions about how to prepare your newsroom, related newsroom experience you’d like to share, resources, research or ideas about the project, I’d love to hear from you—please get in touch at publisher@mendovoice.com."