Division Crisis communication tasks

The crisis coordinators, within their competence, shall also be responsible for the coordination of the crisis communication at national and Union level e.g. about measures taken, health related recommendations, etc.

The communication tasks include:

• Assurance of the principles of transparency and communication strategy laid down in Chapter VI at national level;

• Help in defining an overall communication strategy for managing food- or feed-borne incidents or crisis;

• Provide crisis communication expertise and guidance to decision makers, e.g. on how to present health measures to the public;

• Elaboration of key messages/line to take (LTT) amongst partners during an incident or crisis through the dedicated networks or audio-conferences;

• Dissemination of key messages via social media and other tools (specific webpage for example) including, when necessary, the EFSA Communication Experts Network;

• Monitor media reactions and public opinion sources (e.g. social media) during an incident or crisis and report back to the network;

• Coordinate demand-driven communication tools (e.g. FAQ, hotlines, etc.)

• Ensure coherency with the EFSA and ECDC risk assessments, including joint rapid outbreak assessments, and related communication activities;

• Be consulted on the EFSA and ECDC communications during a crisis situation related to scientific risk communication before release.