Effective Communication in the Face of a Crisis

Ann Ziegler

BCOM/275

Week Four
Marquetta Duke

Effective Communication in the Face of Disaster

On August 5, 2010, a copper mine in Chile was the scene of a disaster. Thirty three workers were trapped in the copper mine, as a result of a cave-in. The miners had to endure months of unbearable conditions in the mine while the rescue workers tried numerous approaches to save them (University of Phoenix, 2010). When accidents such as this occur, leaders must effectively communicate and people must receive communication to answer questions, avoid chaos and panic. This paper describes the communication and audience considerations required as a result of the copper mine collapse. The copper mine collapse in Chile is recorded in history with a happy ending, since all of the workers were rescued. Since the rescue took 69 days, leaders had to ensure that proper and effective communication was provided to the worker’s families and company employees (BBC News, 2011). Any time a disaster or accident of this magnitude occurs, further danger or damage can result unless the leaders, company and government take steps to control the flow of information. A coordinated strategy must be communicated to the media, rescue workers and leaders to ensure that efforts yield the best outcomes. A lack of communication could potentially result in deaths, panic, and chaos. Inappropriate or erroneous communication could result in unnecessary stress, frustration, turmoil and legal liability. A famous form of communication during the incident was a note that was passed through a tube by miner Jose Ojeda. “We are all well in the refuge, the 33 of us” (BBC News Latin America & Caribbean, 2011). This was a very important communication that helped the families and rescuers to have hope and understand the