How should PRM acknowledge injuries during an incident?

During an incident, the Public Relations Manager (PRM) should prioritize a general acknowledgment of injuries rather than delving into specific details. This approach helps maintain a focus on the overall situation and ensures that messaging remains clear and concise while also being sensitive to the individuals affected.

General acknowledgment allows the PRM to convey that the department is aware of the circumstances and is managing the situation without overwhelming the public or the media with potentially distressing specifics. It avoids creating unnecessary panic or speculation by not providing explicit details about individual injuries, which can change or be inaccurately reported. Furthermore, protecting the privacy of those involved is essential, and a general acknowledgment maintains that privacy until more definitive information can be appropriately released.

While acknowledging injuries is crucial, being vague can sometimes avoid the pitfalls of misinformation, which can arise when discussing specific cases in the dynamic and rapidly evolving context of emergency response.