PURPOSE: In the event of a natural or other disaster which would require an extraordinary response by the Department of Insurance, Missouri has adopted the following plan in advance to respond quickly and effectively to meet the needs of its insured citizens. Activation of the plan should be implemented at the call of the director or his/her designee. This rule regulates the internal affairs of and prescribes procedures to be followed in proceedings before the department.

1. (1) The four (4) members of the Media Relations Task Group are—Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Insurance, Chair; Independent Insurance Agents of Missouri; Missouri Insurance Information Services; and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), NAIC State Media Relations Manager (advisory member).
2. (2) The purpose of this task group is to create a central source for media information relative to disaster insurance and the disaster plan response activities. It should prepare news releases on steps to take before, during and after a disaster; produce brochures on preparedness; dispatch speakers to various locations as needed; and generally maintain contact with all media, print and electronic.
3. (3) The Media Task Group should distribute its advisories and brochures to units of government throughout the state so that they may reproduce them for local residents. The NAIC should be contacted for assistance in bulk reproduction.
4. (4) The Media Task Group should send a Media Advisory to news organizations throughout the state. This advisory notifies news agencies that the Department of Insurance will become the primary source for obtaining and forwarding information relative to insurance and a disaster.
5. (5) Much of the information will be obtained from designated liaison persons stationed at each command post. The Media Task Group should be in constant touch with the command post and field offices to coordinate the information flow. This system will make sure that information being supplied to the media is consistent, accurate and up-to-the-minute.
6. (6) Representatives of trade groups, as well as media specialities employed by member insurance companies, should augment forces as needed. A list of the pool available should be compiled and continually updated with any disaster response manual.
7. (7) The NAIC State Media Relations manager may be contacted for assistance in organizing the Media Relations Task Group.

AUTHORITY: section 375.141, RSMo Supp. 1991.* Original rule filed Jan. 15, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. *Original authority: 375.141, RSMo 1961 and 1965, amended 1967, 1981, 1984 and 1989.