[PAO] The American Red Cross Versus Civil Air Patrol Public Relations

[Ken]

IMHO admit that the American Red Cross by far seems to have a consistent 
& successful public relations plan in regards to everything they do 
nationally, regionally, and locally.

 From a natural disaster standpoint they appear to have ready to go 
media release/talking points for the preparation, response, & mitigation 
phases of disasters.   Volunteers & paid staff are in a consistent 
uniform, easy identifying them as ARC, with what appears to me to be 
standard talking points.  They have the ability to get immediate media 
coverage showing them doing good things!  The news media definitely sees 
them as an organization to provide coverage for!   Even during local 
type incidents (e.g. apartment fires) this same type of public relations 
presentation to the media occurs and aids them in obtaining funds.

Contrast this with CAP.  No really consistent uniform (in fact if BDU, 
BBDU are worn and the orange safety vest is worn, total organization 
identify is missing).  IF assisting another government organization 
perception is that nothing can be released about CAP's support.  Very 
little released regarding CAP preparedness to provide assistance (e.g. 
photo recon training exercise with local pictures released).   
Inconsistent approach (actually missing opportunities) to providing 
releases to the news media.  With hurricane season upon us many 
opportunities for getting the word out about CAP!

Perhaps National should consider developing a disaster/emergency 
services internal operations support kit (e.g. pre prepared type media 
releases (templates) that certain information just has to be filled in 
for specific type incidents, as well as general type media releases on 
CAP's typical disaster relief missions).   Perhaps even a National PAO 
Duty officer needs to be immediate/near immediate available to assist 
field PAO's with successfully writing/releasing news media releases, 
perhaps even sending the releases on behalf of the field PAO's.

A good gauge to see the Red Cross' news media success is to use google 
news search engine "American Red Cross".

Ken
Former PAO