The Post-Event phase is a time of retrospection and critical assessment for agencies or organizations responding to a crisis. ⁵⁶

During this stage, it is important that your organization take the lead in:

• Expressing relief and thanks to all involved
• Settling internal and external concerns about the crisis,
• Addressing potential aftershocks,
• Planning for future crises, and

  most importantly,

• Helping key stakeholders (e.g., employees and their families, public, media) move from the emergency situation (Event stage) to resolution and recovery.
  
  

Research has shown that a community is most responsive to risk avoidance and mitigation education usually directly after a disaster has occurred because they have been sensitized.

Communications objectives for the resolution phase include:

• Improving appropriate public response in future similar emergencies through education.
• Honestly examining problems and mishaps and then reinforcing what worked in the recovery and response efforts.
• Persuading the public to support public policy and resource allocation to the problem
• Promoting the activities and capabilities of the agency (corporate identity reinforced – internally too)

As a crisis subsides from its most volatile peak, public inquiries and calls decrease. Moreover, although the questions are fewer in number, they are typically more complex and difficult to answer.

The public wants to hear about lessons learned and the steps that will be taken to prevent the situation from recurring. People want to be reassured of their safety, and they are in search of closure.

Even your own organization may desire to move quickly back to its routine, day-to-day operations. However, rushing into a business-as-usual mode can hinder not only your organization’s capacity to deal with future crises, but also your colleagues’ productivity, and the public's trust in your organization.

The specific activities in the Post-Event stage can be organized into one of three groups:

• Maintenance
  • Relief/celebration/thanks for getting through the event
  • Provide for the well-being and recovery of the crisis communication team
  • Analysis of what went wrong/causes of problems
  • Conduct public education.
    
    
• Evaluation
  • Monitor messages and events (media, public, partners, stakeholders)
  • Debrief crisis communication response team (early)
  • Review data on messages, delivery, and effects
  • Compile and analyze comprehensive set of data
  • Develop results/lessons learned and report measures of success.
    
    
• Establishment of a New State of Readiness
  • Implement ERC plan changes.

   

Your organization is encouraged to conduct these Post-Event activities to enhance your organization’s ability to handle other crises – should they occur.

Although the activities in this phase (as well as Pre-Event) are numbered, they may be performed in any order.

Do You Know The Basics?

A basic understanding of ERC essential principles is necessary in order to effectively plan a communication response. Before you begin the Pre-Event tutorial, you should have an understanding of the topics covered in "Essential Principles."