The Town of Mount Pleasant has continuing programs that use various channels of communication, including the mass media, to provide necessary and desired information about local government activities and services to the general public.

In an effort to improve public safety and to minimize the loss of life and property, during periods of emergency the public needs, and generally desires, detailed information regarding protective actions. There are times, however, when disaster strikes without warning and the public information system cannot react rapidly enough to properly inform the public about the hazard. For this reason, it is important that prior to the occurrence of an emergency the public be made aware of potential hazards and of protective measures.

In major emergency or disaster situations, there may be large numbers of media representatives seeking information about the situation and about response actions. It is the policy of the Town of Mount Pleasant to cooperate fully with the media in all phases of emergency management. Mount Pleasant officials have developed procedures in cooperation with local media to disseminate emergency information to the public. However, they recognize that a really large emergency or disaster will attract regional and national media representatives not parties to, or knowledgeable of, local media arrangements.

During emergency situations and disasters, the general public will demand information about the emergency situation and instructions on proper response actions.

The media will demand information about emergency situations and disasters. The local media, particularly television and radio, will perform an essential role in providing emergency instructions and up-to-date information to the public. Depending on the severity of the emergency, or the media’s perception of the severity of the emergency, regional and national media will also cover the story and demand information and comment from local officials.

Depending of the severity of the emergency or disaster, telephone communication may be sporadic or impossible. Local and regional radio and television stations without emergency power may also be off the air.

Demand for information will be overwhelming if sufficient staff is not provided and if staff is not trained and operating from a pre-established set of procedures.