Nuclear plant emergencies Electric utility brown outs & black outs Chemical plant explosions & workplace fatal accidents Statewide & local labor stoppagages Local education association strikes Corporate hostile takeovers Mergers & acquisitions Oil refinery accidents Legal issues Pro-life/pro-choice protests Governor’s heart & liver transplant Floods & other natural disasters Sexual misconduct by teachers Deaths of high profile public officials or other public figures Mass protests & campus riots Election outcome & impacts Gasoline & fuel rationing Plant closures Forced resignation of CEO Regulatory violations (nuclear, financial, environmental) Bankruptcy filings Misappropriation of funds in a national nonprofit organization Food recalls Threatened loss of significant portions of business & revenue Accusations that a health & fitness organization is a cult Threatened seizure of private property by eminent domain Transportation incidents involving children, chemicals, or nuclear energy Utility rate increases Chemical leaks & other environmental or public health threats

At its most basic level, a crisis is any event that affects, or could affect, an organization’s ability to carry out its mission. Whether the event is real or imagined, an act of nature or human-induced, within your realm of responsibility or entirely beyond your control, the way you handle it could destroy you, or it could enable you to fight another day.

Triad Strategies has assembled an uncommon group of senior-level strategic communications practitioners with significant experience – and success – in Crisis Communications. Our crisis experience includes nuclear plant accidents, campus riots, environmental spills, chemical plant explosions, mergers and acquisitions, labor actions, food recalls, industrial accidents and bankruptcy (for a detailed list, see our list on the right).

Triad offers the following Crisis Communications services:

Crisis preparedness. For most organizations, it’s not a question of whether, but when a crisis will occur. Developing a plan for handling crises and training key personnel to that plan will greatly enhance any organization’s ability to withstand a crisis.

Vulnerability audits. According to Murphy’s Law, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. A vulnerability audit can identify what those things are and enable an organization to avert or at least mitigate many possible crises.

Strategic counsel during a crisis. Once a crisis starts, most organizations need help sorting through a multitude of issues – identifying the key audiences, developing the key messages and selecting the avenues for delivering those messages.

Spokesperson training. Delivering messages effectively through the glare of TV lights or in front of concerned stakeholders requires training and practice. Our clients have acquitted themselves in high-stakes venues, including the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes and ABC’s 20/20, and other national media feeding frenzies.

Hands-on media relations. Organizations without media relations capabilities in-house often enlist us to deal directly with the news media on their behalf. Triad provides 24/7 media relations services as required.

Post-crisis analysis. How can you do it better next time?

For more information, or to discuss your organization’s Crisis Communication needs, please contact Rick Kelly, director of Crisis Communications, at 717.635.7366

Triad's Crisis Communications team

Rick Kelly, director of Triad’s Crisis Communications practice, has spent more than 30 years in the public affairs and communications arena as a reporter, corporate communications manager and consultant.A veteran of the nuclear power industry, he has helped guide a multitude of clients through all types of crises and has helped others avoid them or at least lessen their impact. Under his direction, Triad has developed a national reputation. Email Rick

Randy King, a senior associate at Triad, is former communications director for the City of Harrisburg, where he served as public information officer for the city’s emergency management team. In addition to handling crisis response for floods, fires, prison escapes, hostage incidents and hazmat spills, Randy spent time at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. He is certified in five categories for the National Incident Management System and has trained municipal officials and public information officers. Email Randy

Tony May, Triad’s senior vice president of strategic communications, brings more than 30 years experience in media and public relations. He has assisted clients involved in some of the state's most contentious issues and has counseled a number of prominent labor unions. Tony was a senior communications adviser for two governors. He comes from a news media background, having served as an Associated Press reporter and editor in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Email Tony

For more information, or to discuss your organization’s Crisis Communication needs, please contact Rick Kelly, director of Crisis Communications, at 717.635.7366.