Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Emergency Communication Course
This course prepares you to be an effective and credible spokesperson in critical situations. Learn to manage media pressure, to convey clear and concise information, and to protect your organization's reputation. This program…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts28 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Emergency Communication Course?
The Emergency Communication course
This course prepares you to be an effective and credible spokesperson in critical situations. Learn to manage media pressure, to convey clear and concise information, and to protect your organization's reputation. This program provides you with the necessary tools to communicate effectively with the public, the media, and authorities during an emergency.
Differentiating Advantages
- Realistic Simulations: Test your skills in simulated crisis scenarios with actors and journalists.
- Communication Strategies: Develop communication plans for different types of emergencies.
- Social Media Management: Learn to use social media to inform, reassure, and combat misinformation.
- Spokesperson Training: Master effective communication techniques for interviews and press conferences.
- Comprehensive Preparation: Gain the tools and knowledge to face any emergency with confidence and professionalism.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
09-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Effective Crisis Communication: Learn to manage information and remain calm in emergency situations.
- Communication Protocols: Master the key procedures and channels for a rapid and coordinated response.
- Media Relations: Develop skills to interact with the press and control the narrative during a crisis.
- Drills and Case Studies: Test your knowledge in realistic scenarios and improve your reaction time.
- Digital Tools: Use the latest technologies to optimize communication and information flow.
- Prepare to lead communication in critical situations and protect your organization's reputation.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Principles of communication in maritime emergencies, human factors and message discipline
- Objectives of emergency communication: risk control, coordination, reduction of uncertainty and operational continuity
- Human factors under stress: Cognitive load, bias, attention fixation, fatigue and degradation of communication judgment
- Critical Message Structure: What Happened, Where, When, Who, What Is Needed, and Response Status
- Closed-loop communication: Confirmation, lap read, repeat and ambiguity control
- Information Prioritization: Vital Minimum Messages, Critical Scaling and Channel Saturation Management
02
Radiotelephony protocols and operational link: VHF, GMDSS and communications bridge–ground
- VHF Radio Discipline: Channels, Shifts, Call Structure, Operational Courtesy and Interference Control
- Relief, urgency and safety messages: Mayday, Pan-Pan, Securité and Criteria Pilots Activation
- Reporting standardisation: position, heading, speed, nature of the incident, people on board and required assistance
- Communication with VTS/Authorities/Port: Coordination of Traffic, Permits, Instructions, Confirmation and Registration
- Communications management in degradation: partial loss of signal, redundancies, relays and priorities by layer
03
Internal response communication: chain of command, crisis briefings and multi-departmental coordination
- Chain of command and communication roles: spokesperson, communications operator, liaison and area managers
- Emergency Briefing: Objectives, Risks, Assignment of Tasks, Limits, Meeting Points and Success Criteria
- Bridge–Machine–Deck–Service – Critical Interfaces, Task Messages, and Dependency Control
- Rumor and disinformation management: verification, consistent messages, control of “informal channel” and panic prevention
- Operational Debriefing: Timeline, Decisions, Deviations, Lessons Learned and Corrective/Preventive Actions
04
Communication with passengers and affected public: messages of safety, inclusion and emotional management
- Principles of communication to the passenger: clarity, calm, repetition, coherence and control of expectations
- Emergency Safety Instructions: Routes, Meeting Points, Wearing Vests and Understanding Verification
- Collective Panic Management: Tone, Visible Leadership, Brief Messages, and Control of Group Dynamics
- Inclusive crisis care: people with reduced mobility, minors, adults, language diversity and reasonable adjustments
- Managing complaints during incidents: Containment, limits, security prioritisation and incident traceability
05
Training, simulation, audit and final project of comprehensive emergency communication protocol
- Recurring training design: objectives, scenarios, roles, levels of complexity and evaluation criteria
- Simulations and Drills: hyphens, failure injection, induced stress and communication performance metrics
- Operating Tools: Checklists, Scripts, Sitrep Templates, Message Cards and Scaling Matrices
- Indicators and evaluation: response times, misunderstanding rate, handover quality and SOPS compliance
- Continuous auditing and improvement: incident analysis, document review, procedure update and feedback
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
First responders (firefighters, police officers, paramedics) seeking to improve communication in high-pressure situations and coordinate effectively with other teams.Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses) who need to transmit vital information clearly and concisely during medical emergencies.Emergency managers and crisis coordinators who need to optimize communication with the public, medi
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Establish clear and effective communication protocols
- 02Use alternative communication systems in failure situations
- 03Coordinate the dissemination of accurate and timely information
- 04Managing stress and staying calm during communication
- 05Adapting communication to the needs of different audiences
- 06Evaluate and prioritize critical information in emergency situations
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Emergency Manager: Resource coordination, communication with those affected and authorities.
02Emergency Room Technician (112/911): Receiving and managing calls, prioritizing incidents.
03Communicator in response organizations (Civil Protection, Fire Department, Red Cross): Disseminating information, managing public image.
04Crisis Communication Specialist for Companies: Developing communication plans, managing rumors and fake news.
05Journalist specializing in emergencies: News coverage, risk analysis and prevention.
06Emergency Communication Trainer: Designing and delivering courses, developing communication skills.
07Emergency Communication Management Consultant: Advising Organizations, development of communication strategies.
08Social media manager in crisis situations: Monitoring, responding to questions and comments, dissemination of official information.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Saving lives and reducing the impact of the emergency.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Saving lives and reducing the impact of emergencies.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Training in journalism, communication, public relations, sociology, psychology, or related fields; or demonstrable experience in crisis management, emergencies, civil protection, or law enforcement.Language Proficiency:Native Spanish speaker or advanced proficiency (C1/C2). Recommended proficiency in English (B2 or higher) and other languages depending on the geographical context of operation.Documentation:Updated CV, copies of relevant academic degrees or professional certificates, ID/Passport, cover letter explaining your interest in emergen
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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