PREPARING A STATION BATTLE PLAN

When war was imminent in Iraq, stations dusted off war planning guides that had been lying around for a decade. Were you prepared? Here are some tips for getting your newsroom ready next time.

Staffing

• Assign shifts now to cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at least for the start.
  
• Make sure your disaster plan is up-to-date, including contact lists, notification plan, and extra help for the newsroom.
  
• Assign a war producer, and loggers to monitor network and satellite feeds.
  
• Review relationships with your station group, affiliate feed services, local newspapers and freelancers you can call on, overseas and in DC.
  
• Check station security and determine if changes will be needed.
  
• Assign responsibility for additional war planning items (below).

Resources

• Assemble briefing materials covering local military units, support groups, pro- and anti-war organizations, local/state political leaders.
  
• Create a data book and computer file with information on locations, weaponry, history, and so on. Begin with this Guide to Covering Iraq.
  
• Update contact info for local experts, military families. If possible, put some on standby for first use.

Materials

• Prepare maps for on-air use, both physical maps and graphics. This list of resources will help.
  
• Create and store full-screen and OTS graphics
  
• Develop opens for shows and specials.
  
• Set up a space for a war tape library.
  
• Make sure you have a computer on-set that can be used to access background and late-breaking information.
  
• Decide if you want to create a special set for war coverage.

Logistics

• Pre-plan live remote locations and equipment for first hours of coverage.
  
• Create a master plan for when you will take air, how you will handle network programming, your regular newscasts, and whether you will extend them or produce local specials.
  
• Create space for a "war room," if needed.
  
• Review needs for hotel space, food.
  
• Set up a voicemail line for war info that your staff can access from anywhere.

Stories

• Decide what you want your coverage to accomplish. How will you best serve your viewers?
  
• Pre-plan some stories by collecting contact information and locations. How will you handle reaction stories?
  
• Look for the impact of war on your community--on people, oil prices, the overall economy, service groups like the Red Cross.
  
• Be ready to cover rallies and protests.
  
• Decide how you will report on local casualties. Review your policies on dealing with victims.