Communication Best Practices for Emergency Preparedness and Response (Virtual Series)

Note: Registration will close after 11:59 PM ET on October 26, 2026. 

This discussion-based training series aims to engage a cohort of practitioners to explore communication best practices for emergency preparedness and response. Participants are expected to attend all sessions, as material will build upon previous sessions. Participants will learn strategies and have opportunities to practice how to communicate effectively during a crisis, even as information and guidance evolve. 

Note on Accessibility: No ASL available for Session #1. Live sessions will have auto-transcription in Zoom. Slides will be provided prior to the session. To request ASL interpretation and/or CART captioning, please email us within 2 weeks of the live training at phprepared@umich.edu. 

Participants are expected to attend all 3 live virtual sessions, which will occur on:

• October 27, 2026 from 11 AM-12 PM ET
• November 10, 2026 from 11 AM-12 PM ET
• December 8, 2026 from 11 AM-12:30 PM ET

Estimated time to complete course: 3.83 contact hours

The detailed overview of the program is below:

• Part 1: October 27, 2026 (1 contact hour)
  
  • Attend Session #1, Oct. 27 (1 hour)
  • Complete post-eval (5 min)
• Part 2: November 10, 2026 (1 contact hour)
  
  • Attend Session #2, Nov. 10 (1 hour)
  • Complete post-eval (5 min)
• Part 3: December 8, 2026 (1.5 contact hours)
  
  • Attend Session #3, Dec. 8 (1.5 hours)
  • Complete post-eval (10 min)

Audience

Emergency preparedness and response coordinators in local public health, as well as emergency managers, in Michigan

Series Learning Objectives 

• Identify three communication principles to employ during a public health emergency
• Describe two communication principles for effectively communicating evolving guidance during a crisis

Session Learning Objectives

• Session #1
  
  • Describe how stress, uncertainty, emotion, experience, and trust can influence communication and decision-making during a crisis
  • Identify how personal communication styles, assumptions, and reactions may affect interactions under pressure
  • Identify three factors that can create different communication needs across individuals and populations
  • Discuss two communication strategies that support understanding, dignity, trust, and psychological safety during a crisis
• Session #2
  
  • Identify relationships, communication pathways, and trusted partners that support effective emergency preparedness and response
  • Discuss two listening, curiosity, and elicitation strategies to better understand concerns, priorities, and communication barriers
  • Describe three strategies for navigating disagreement and high-stakes conversations while maintaining trust and productive working relationships
  • Describe two appropriate communication approaches for individual, group, organizational, and cross-sector interactions
• Session #3
  
  • Identify two strategies for communicating evolving guidance during a public health emergency

Instructors

• Lisa Peacock, MPH, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, Lisa Peacock Professional Services
• Sarah Sheff, PhD, Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Specialist, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response (DEPR), Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care (BEPESoC), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Continuing Education Credit

• Up to 4.0 CPH Recertification Credits may be earned at this event pending.
• Certificate of Completion

In order to earn CE credits and a Certificate of Completion for this series, participants must complete the following:

• Attend all 3 live sessions (sign-in no later than 10 minutes after the start)
• Complete post-training evaluations
• Pay $20 for the 3.83 contact hours*

NOTE: Course content is available for free, and continuing education credits are offered for a $20 fee if requirements are met. If desired, you will be asked to pay the fee upon completion of the course material.

Sponsors

Public Health Prepared is the workforce development and public health practice branch of the broader Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats & Pandemic Preparedness (MCIDT) initiative, funded by the University of Michigan. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Public Health Prepared, MCIDT, or the University of Michigan.

Technical Information

If you are experiencing any technical difficulties, please try a different browser (i.e., Chrome, Firefox, Safari). Internet Explorer and Edge will not work with our learning management system.

This webinar will use Zoom. For support information, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/201137166 REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR USING THE EMAIL YOU WILL USE TO JOIN THE LIVE ZOOM.

Contact us at PHPrepared@umich.edu with questions.