Emergency Management

1. Ongoing Risk Communication

Select and read one of the documents listed below and prepare a short paper of at least 300 words that includes and explains two or three points we can learn from the document you read about communicating with the public about risk and preparedness on an ongoing basis (before, not during, an emergency or disaster). How can ongoing risk communication contribute to improved disaster outcomes? 

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) (2006). Assessing Your Disaster Public Awareness Program. Lexington, KY: Council of State Governments.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2012) Understanding Risk Communication Best Practices. College Park, MD: National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Read pages 1-10.

2.  In this week's reading in Chapter 4, we see examples of crises of various types and communications issues and lessons in each. Identify a lesson we can learn from one or more of these examples and relate it to risk communication in advance of an emergency or public information during an emergency. Make sure to think about the differences between a public relations crisis and a public emergency or disaster (with potential or actual human health and safety impacts).

3.   After reading the Mileti article, identify and list in your own words three pointers for an emergency manager or organization who/ that is trying to improve the preparedness of residents in their area.

The reading for questions # 2 and 3 are below the one that says untitled is for question  #2