One of the good things about local government comms is that it can be varied. So, when flooding hit this officer rose to the challenge.

by Eva Duffy

The police van outside the Salvation Army centre was the only clue that this residential suburb was about to become the epicentre of a crisis response involving hundreds of evacuees, scores of volunteers and dozens of organisations. Oh, and I mustn’t forget the hamster.

Fifteen minutes earlier, I was at my desk anticipating a normal day at the office. Now, this is probably a good time to point out that normal is a very relative concept in a local government media team.

We operate along lines familiar to anyone who’s ever set foot in a newsroom with unpredictability our constant companion.