Practical ExerciseYou will be broken down into four teams and given one of

four scenarios.Taking everything you have learned this weekend, you

will come up with your plan on how to handle the situation(s) you are faced with.

Keep in mind the following:State Public Affairs OfficeDealing with Civilian MediaPreparing for InterviewsTalking PointsFact SheetsManaging the MediaIdentifying/Preparing a SpokespersonMedia QueriesHometown News ReleasesSocial MediaAt the Completion of this Practical Exercise a

spokesperson from each group will present their plans for handling the situation.

Questions?

Practical ExerciseScenario 1: Winter Ice StormA winter ice storm has hit Connecticut and trees and power lines are down throughout the state leaving many communities without power or heat.The Connecticut National Guard, supported by members of the Governor’s Horse and Foot Guards have been called out to support storm recovery efforts and your units are providing Soldiers to remove downed trees (chainsaw teams, trucks, etc.) and MPs to help with traffic control.You also have members of your units providing logistics support at a commodities distribution center.Media has high interest in activities and wants to get word out to the public on what is being done to recover. Media is constantly calling for updates. TV stations want to do live feeds during several of their broadcasts and print photographers/reporters have additional requests with different deadlines to meet.In order to be as least disruptive as possible, holding one daily press availability has been approved. During this time, photo/video and interview opportunities will be made available to the media as well as a media briefing.You are the UPARs for the units involved. What do you do?

Practical Exercise

Scenario #2: Unit Open House

Your unit is holding an Open House to showcase your facility, your equipment and your Soldiers with goals of educating your families and the community on what you do. Media has been invited.What do you do to prepare and what do you do the day of the Open House?

Practical ExerciseScenario #3: Training

You are a Connecticut National Guard Aviation unit and will be conducting water bucket training at the Colebrook Dam in preparation for forest fire season.Media has been alerted to this training by local residents and have begun calling and wanting to cover the training. The State Public Affairs Office has approved the media requests.What do you do to prepare and what do you do the day(s) of the training?

Practical ExerciseScenario #4: Armory Fire

There is a fire in the kitchen of your armory. While small, the local fire department, police department and EMS are on the scene. Local media has arrived and you are receiving phone calls from other reporters.What do you do?