Mass casualty incidents are extraordinarily emotional events, and they leave intense emotions in their wake. The stress and uncertainty created by the incident tend to linger on, both in the survivors and witnesses to the event and in the community at large. When intense emotions can propel community members to action, effective messages from officials can help them make appropriate decisions.

After a mass casualty incident, people need clear, timely, and factual information to avoid relying on rumors. Great distress can make it hard for people to process information, so it is important to word messages simply, repeat them often, and provide regular updates.