SAE frequently provides strategic counsel for high-profile crises of confidence issues and we bring a remarkable array of crisis management experience. SAE has provided communications counsel, media relations, and EOC/Joint Information Center management for many of California’s most challenging recent crises.
Our disaster/crisis experience includes serving as JIC Manager for dozens of agencies responding to the 2023 winter storms, COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 SCU Lightning Complex Fire, 2020 election security, 2020 Golden Globes and Los Angeles Marathon, 2019 Conception dive boat tragedy, 2018 Montecito debris flow, 2017 Thomas Fire, mass shooting incidents and multiple oil spills. We coordinated the immediate response to the Salon Meritage mass shooting in Seal Beach in 2011.
Services provided by SAE include:
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Strategic counsel: review the most important considerations in each phase of the incident and how to respond; staffing needs/assignments; setting priorities
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Support agency leadership
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Working with the media: prepare messages/materials; write comments; provide counsel re: briefings/logistics; conduct training
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Explain how/why the agency responded
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Help the community come together, grieve
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Take care of the needs of business
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Memorials, anniversaries, ongoing impact
Communications Planning / Provide Strategic Counsel
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Meet with and/or teleconference with staff to understand issues and the project
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Provide plans, analysis, and strategic counsel to staff
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Serve as on-call communications counsel
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Anticipate, address issues of importance
Prepare Materials / Advise Regarding Communications Tools/Methods
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Develop key messages, internal-use Q&A, talking points, opinion pieces, press releases, advisories, other materials as advised/requested/required
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Assist with development of presentation materials
Internal Agency Communications
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Recommend outreach program to reach employees, both office and field
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Provide content to assist leadership as they speak about the issue
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Collaborate on materials for dissemination to internal audiences
Media Relations
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Develop media strategy
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Produce/edit press releases and media advisories
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Conduct onsite key message development/delivery interview preparation and training sessions for key staff and elected/appointed officials
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Provide preparation/support prior to interview opportunities
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Monitor media coverage and provide input/follow-up as directed and as appropriate
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Advise on media relations/pitching opportunities
Community Relations
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Collaborate on community relations needs
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Prepare FAQs, community letters, etc. for public dissemination
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Advise on community relations opportunities
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Research relationship with community organizations and advise regarding engagement
Social Media Strategy, Content
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Collaborate on social media strategy
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Advise on social media content
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Prepare content as needed