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Page 2 • <br /> The Spokesmen <br /> Pre-planning is vital to ensure that designated persons or positions have the <br /> responsibility to speak to the audiences and the procedures for gathering and <br /> disseminating information. <br /> Normally, the spokesman will represent the agency, company or group with the <br /> responsibility for directing cleanup, or a combinatiaon of agencies, companies, and <br /> groups. <br /> Development of a central information source as quickly as possible is essential . <br /> Each participant in an oil spill program, should have clearly defined who would <br /> speak on his behalf should he become involved in a spill incident, and have a clear <br /> channel for feeding information to central information source. <br /> a. The First Man On-Scene <br /> It will be inevitable that the first man on the scene may have to deal with one <br /> or several of the audiences. His primary job is to assess and report, but he <br /> should also be aware that courtesy and tact in dealing with requests for <br /> information by the various audiences are important. While he may not be in a <br /> position to answer these requests, he should ensure the information will be <br /> provided as soon as possible and pass these requests to the appropriate <br /> spokesman. <br /> The urgency of the situation may restrict his role in providing public <br /> information to little more than an honest promise to have the information <br /> provided. He also has to be fully aware of the dangers of providing anything <br /> more than general information initially and must refrain from speculation on <br /> the cause and responsibility. <br /> b. The Public Relations Representative (John Roscoe) <br /> John Roscoe will take on the information function either at the scene or from <br /> The Customer Company's office to assist in preparation and release of <br /> information, and to advise appropriate coordinating participants on public <br /> relations aspects associated with containment and cleanup of a spill . <br /> The public relations representative should have a procedure established to be <br /> followed in event of a spill which includes a clear-cut channel for receiving <br /> notice of a spill and obtaining continuing data on the spill , plus a plan for <br /> disseminating information to the various audiences. <br /> The Information <br /> Initial statements must be confined to facts that will not be in dispute, such as: <br /> a. Identification of the location, name of installation or carrier involved, etc. <br /> b. Time of the accident <br /> c. Type of oil or product spilled <br /> d. Action being taken to combat the spill <br />