In February 2013, Sarah was invited to meet with a team of cabinet level communications directors from Kosovo. The group was visiting North Carolina as part of the International Affairs Council's International Visitor Leadership Program.
The group came to North Carolina to learn about communications during emergencies and times of crisis. The conversation focused on the details of best practices, including response procedures, working with other agencies, building relationships with the news media and using social media. There were also side conversations about making the most of a small budget and logistics and technology that make Joint Information Systems (JISs) successful.
When the seasons change its the perfect time to review an emergency plan.
Sarah lead a team of Public Information Officers from around the region as they developed text and worked with a graphic designer to update ReadyWake, an emergency preparedness brochure.
ReadyWake is scheduled to be printed in February 2013 and will be distributed through community partnerships including libraries, parks and other government locations.
The 2013 edition is updated to provide information in English and Spanish and includes a regional map showing emergency rooms and possible shelter location.
The new ReadyWake branding will be applied to the website, Twitter account and other materials in early 2013.
Dozens of wells in a small area tested unsafe in a small amount of time during the summer of 2012. The clustering of the wells and they type of contaminants lead to the involvement of State and Federal agencies. To ensure consistent messaging the agencies - each with their own objectives - agreed to work together on communications materials. Sarah worked on behalf of two County customer groups as the team created brochures, flyers and web content; coordinated neighborhood meetings, organized news conferences and responded to media requests.
A flyer was developed to distribute during neighborhood meetings. Residents who elected to register
could receive confidential follow-up information via phone call, text message or email.
In addition to these efforts, a video on well safety and testing was developed. The video will be distributed through local public access channels, the County and partner websites and YouTube in early 2013.
Detention centers are unique facilities, designed to meet the needs of a community for half a decade or more. Because it is rare to open a detention center, there is no "standard" or routine business process for showcasing a new detention center. In May, Wake County opened its new Detention Center.
Ahead of the opening Sarah lead a planning team that coordinated both the ceremony and service change communications.
Opening ceremony projects included: invitation lists, invitation and program design and printing, ceremony logistics, remarks for several speakers, media relations and tour organization.
Service change communications included: a news release, media tours, television interview placements, web content and social media, way-finding signage and brochures.
Between 300 and 400 people attended the ceremony, with about 200 taking tours of the secure facility. A video was created to showcase the opening ceremony and new facility on the customer's monthly television show.
