Community resilience: Are we missing the point?
Under Pressure 3 October 2025
Community resilience: Are we missing the point?
I have recently shared the details of a conversation with Jaroslav Valuch who works in crisis communication for the Czech Ministry of Interior. It was interesting to hear how they were using data and insights to inform the communication that was being prepared for communities aimed at encouraging them to be crisis and emergency ready. (Check out the 10 minute chat here.)
This is such an important area. How do we work with communities and individuals to ensure they are more prepared to deal with the unexpected events. But note there was a key word there - with. I am as guilty as many that in my past I would just ‘do’ things to people. Send that message, put together that campaign, tell people what to do.
I understand why it happens. People are busy. Teams are small and we just need to get things done. So perhaps we need to have a total shift in the way we are considering community resilience. Treat people as individuals and actively listen to communities. I know this takes time but this is vitally important work.
The regular messaging about resilience is important but often this is all we have. Global messages in a big ‘send to all’ approach. We would never do it for any communication campaign or where we were trying to promote actions for people to take. This can’t be down to a few individuals trying to talk to people and share messages. Building resilience, like building reputation, is the responsibility of everyone and perhaps it is time to look at whether all employees feel ready and able to talk about resilience, understand the importance of it, and can identify local opportunities to build community resilience.
In a recent study the British Red Cross have highlighted the need for more effective messaging for communities to support preparedness for a flooding incident. Read about the report the Water’s Edge here. The messaging is important and we need to ensure that it has been built from community input. Understanding the approach they trust, value and will connect with underpins everything that follows.
So, perhaps it is not about bigger and better preparedness campaigns but how we open up, discuss and connect with local communities. It is not going to bring changes overnight but over time will put people in a position of greater resilience when the worst happens.
Let me know what you think.
10 Minutes With Mark Rutherford - father of Chloe who lost her life in the Arena attack
It was a huge privilege for Amanda to spend time speaking with Mark Rutherford for the recent 10 minutes with conversation. Mark lost his daughter Chloe in the Arena terror attack where she died alongside her boyfriend Liam Curry. Mark talks about the communication, the media and how the families have created the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust. This is a must watch conversation. Find it here.
Anniversaries and Memorials - Emergency Planning Society Open Event
The Emergency Planning Society Communication Group are running a free session online looking at the issues around emergency and disaster anniversaries and memorials. With details of personal experiences and academic research. It takes place on 21 October at 12noon and has been opened to non-members as well as EPS members. Find out more and book a space here.
In Brief:
Amanda wants to thank everyone that completed the survey about emergency and crisis management and gender. The data is now going to be analysed before a report with details will be shared. Further updates will be provided in future editions of the Under Pressure newsletter.
New research has been published looking at the role of social media in crisis communication from the perspective of peace operations in Africa. Find out more here.
EMEAA founder and vice president Dan Stoneking has provided a column looking at the role of the public information officers with early warning systems. It appeared on Homeland Security Today and can be found here.
There is a move in America to ensure AM radio is available in vehicles following Hurricane Helene last year. Find out more here.
The Global Network on Extremism and Technology has outlined the threats and risks linked to virtual worlds and gaming. Extremists have been exploiting digital worlds including Roblox and Minecraft to target young people. Read more here.
The latest Testing Times case study has been published. There has been so much happening that the focus could have been on so many issues. But this edition considers the ongoing cyber-attack affecting Jaguar Land Rover and what we can learn from it. Check out the October edition here.
An article by Insurance News highlights the increasing concern about supply chain risks that businesses have. Find out more here.
Managing the communication and engaging with diverse groups with multilingual approach to volcano related incidents should be a priority according to a recent report. Read more here.
Diary Dates:
On Tuesday, October 7 Amanda will be running the popular Getting Maximum Impact from a Disappearing Budget webinar for the PRCA. To find out more check out the training pages here.
On October 16 Amanda’s next training session will be focused on getting the most from working with the media during a crisis. What can we do and how can we be ready. To book a space email office@amandacolemancomms.co.uk
