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Under Pressure community
Under Pressure is a practical library of insights for emergency communications and crisis leadership. In this video series we explore what happens when communications, politics and operations collide in real time.
Designed for communicators, emergency managers, elected officials and public leaders, the series draws on real-world experience in government, emergency management and high-stakes public-sector decision-making in Canada.
At ABG, we work with governments, Indigenous communities and public-sector organizations to strengthen readiness, leadership confidence and communication effectiveness.
Featured episode
The emergency isn’t over when the fire is out…
When the immediate danger passes, people still need clear information, steady communication and reassurance that they have not been forgotten.
In this episode, Wynna Brown looks at the practical communications work that continues through recovery — from supporting teams and communities to learning from the response and preparing for what comes next.
Episode 5: The emergency isn't over when the fire is out
As communities across Canada continue to respond to one of the country's most challenging wildfire seasons in recent memory, this episode explores an important but often overlooked reality: the emergency doesn't end when the immediate danger has passed.
In Episode 5 of Under Pressure, Wynna Brown examines the critical role of recovery communications and why organizations must continue to inform, support and engage their communities long after the flames are extinguished. Recovery is about far more than rebuilding infrastructure — it is about rebuilding confidence, managing expectations, supporting exhausted staff, maintaining transparency and helping communities move forward together.
Drawing on 25 years of experience in emergency and crisis communications, Wynna shares practical lessons for emergency managers, communicators, public safety professionals and elected officials on navigating one of the most complex phases of any emergency.
This episode is dedicated to the thousands of first responders, emergency management professionals, Emergency Operations Centre teams, communicators, elected officials, volunteers and community partners working tirelessly to protect and support communities across Canada.
Whether you're preparing for future emergencies or supporting recovery efforts today, this episode offers practical insights to help your organization communicate with clarity, compassion and confidence when it matters most.
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Episode 4 explores the critical role elected officials play during emergencies—and why preparing them before a crisis is just as important as preparing your communications team. Wynna Brown discusses the importance of clearly defined roles, effective information sharing, spokesperson protocols, and building trusted relationships between elected officials, emergency managers and communicators. The episode offers practical insights to help organizations strengthen coordination, improve public confidence and communicate more effectively when it matters most.
Episode 1 introduces the Under Pressure series and explores what happens when communications, politics and operations collide in real time. Wynna Brown explains why public institutions often struggle to communicate clearly during crises and emergencies, and how decision-making under pressure shapes public perception, trust and outcomes.
In Episode 2 of Under Pressure, Wynna Brown examines why decisions that make perfect sense inside an organization can quickly unravel in the public eye. The episode explores the gap between operational realities and public expectations, the importance of timing and process in effective communication, and how organizations can build trust during high-pressure situations.
In Episode 3 of Under Pressure, Wynna Brown examines one of the most common challenges in emergency and crisis communications: the approval problem. Why does it take so long to get information out when speed matters most? The episode explores how traditional organizational hierarchies can conflict with incident management structures, why approval bottlenecks occur, and practical ways to streamline decision-making without sacrificing accountability.