Journalists and government officials will gather tomorrow in St. Louis for the latest in a series of workshops to address communications between the news media and emergency response agencies during a terror event.
The workshop, “News and Terrorism: Communicating in a Crisis,” is first in the series to be held after the Christmas Day airline bombing attempt over Detroit. The series is put together by the Radio Television Digital News Foundation, in association with the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Besides examining communications issues during an emergency, the workshops explore the scientific background of possible terrorist threats and offer advice on how the news media and public information officers can better prepare for a crisis.
Panelists scheduled for the event include:
• John Butler, news director for KMOX/CBS;
• Gary Christmann, commissioner for the city of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency;
• Paul Fennewald, Homeland Security coordinator for the Missouri Office of Homeland Security;
• Pat Gauen, public safety editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch;
• Susan Langhorst, radiation safety officer for Washington University;
• Maxwell Marker, assistant special agent in charge for the St. Louis office of the FBI;
• Debbie Mays, director for emergency preparedness for BJC HealthCare;
• Wayne Parent, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
• Audrey Prywitch, news director for KTVI/KPLR; and
• Scott Warren, business continuity manager for Wells Fargo Advisors.
The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in St. Louis and is free. A reservation is required.
