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Risk Communication Web Library Importance of Risk Communication Education & Service Outreach Many times communication is defined as the technology applications for interoperability so police can talk with the fire department during emergencies. But communications has a much broader definition that, perhaps, is even more critical to helping communities be prepared. The overarching goal for any communication on preparedness is to move people to actually prepare for emergencies. The Center for Disease Control says that only about 23% of American get ready ahead of time for emergencies and over 70% of people prepare "just in time." People need to feel strongly that preparedness is important and critical to their wellbeing. Behavioral change on a community level is what is needed for our country to truly prepare for disasters, whether those disasters are hurricanes or terrorist attacks. Often, when communication comes from the top down instead of growing organically, the result is information overload, leading to indifference and inaction. Communication campaigns that enable self-efficacy for both the individual and the community encourage positive behavioral change. However, the greatest endorsement for apathy and inaction is too much information. Preparedness campaigns must inspire people to move from apathy to action.		Notable Items > Two new sections have been added to our Communication Web Library. Check out the articles featured in the School Safety Risk Communication section. > The United States Security Strategy section outlines the official policies of the U.S. government toward a variety of homeland security topics.
Risk Communication Research Areas: > Risk Communication. Risk communication techniques have taken center stage since the overhaul of the United States' Intelligence Community after 9/11. The Bush Administration is constantly re-evaluating what constitutes a threat to the American public, and how best to disseminate information about the threat. In addition, this section highlights tools used by emergency responders in a wide-range of disasters to retain credibility and train the public to respond to an emergency event. > Psychological Risk Preparedness. Psychological risk preparedness examines what factors cause people to perceive certain risks as greater than others. Specifically, this section will explore why terrorism is so successful as a trigger for anxiety and fear. The condition of panic and its role in emergency response is also presented. > Bio-terrorism and Public Health Preparedness. Planning well in advance for a public health outbreak is the cornerstone of bio-terrorism and public health preparedness. Although many health specialists agree there is little that can be done to stop the spread of a highly contagious pathogen, there are numerous tools the government can implement to slow the spread of a disease to allow time for the development of a vaccine. Much of this information is particularly relevant due to the increasing threat of an avian flu pandemic. > Shelter-in-Place. The shelter-in-place emergency procedure utilizes the indoor atmosphere of a structure to protect against outside contamination. Historically, the chemical industry has relied on shelter-in-place training for populations located in close proximity to chemical factories and storage facilities. This section defines the main issues addressed by shelter-in-place and details the implementation of the protection tool. > School Safety Risk Communication. With the recent tragedies in Lancaster, PA, Virginia Tech, and Northern Illinois University, the safety of America's children in the classroom has jumped to the forefront of a sound public policy agenda. Included are reports on best practices to prepare a school community for disasters both human and natural. Also, guides to assess specific risk factors can provide educators with the necessary training to prevent a crisis from reaching the doorstep of an academic facility. Children are more susceptible to psychological trauma, making reports focused on this subject matter invaluable. > Nuclear Risk Preparedness. The current belief among nuclear risk experts is that stockpiles of radioactive material, and the transportation of spent nuclear fuel pose the largest nuclear threat to the general public. Security measures must be taken to ensure radiological material held at hospitals, oil drilling facilities, and research labs remains well-protected. In addition, special attention will be focused on protection against "dirty bombs," and how the United States can prepare for the no longer "unimaginable" use of nuclear weaponry by terrorists. > United States Security Strategies. This section includes both the United States National Security Strategies and other U.S. strategy documents, which outline the official policies of the U.S. government toward a variety of homeland security topics, including: aviation security, combating terrorism, drug control, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection, etc. This section begins with the 1997 PCCIP Report, developed by a commission of infrastructure and policy experts assembled by President Bill Clinton to investigate the vulnerabilities facing critical infrastructures within the U.S., in response to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. As of July, three security strategy documents have been identified for 2008.