Session A Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication*

1. Session ACrisis and Emergency Risk Communication* *Adapted from CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Training

2. Participating Agencies U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services Centers for Disease Controland Prevention World Health OrganizationThailand Office Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

3. Session A Objectives • Describe the foundation and rationale of crisis and emergency risk communication • Describe the framework of the workshop and goals to be achieved • “Buy into” establishing a Health Communications Consortium as an outcome of the workshop

4. To provide accurate, timely, and coordination information during a crisis or emergency. To inform the public of potential risks and steps being taken during a crisis or emergency. To aid individuals, stakeholders, or communities to accept the imperfect nature of choices and to make best possible decisions during a crisis or emergency. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication

5. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Crisis Communication Lifecycle* • To facilitate in anticipating the needs of the public, the media, and stakeholders at different stages • Each stage has unique communications and information requirements Pre-crisis Initial Maintenance Resolution Evaluation

6. Be prepared Foster alliances Develop recommendations through consensus Test audience messages Pre-Crisis Communication Pre-crisis

7. Risk Perception • Voluntary vs. involuntary • Personally controlled vs. controlled by others • Familiar vs. exotic

8. Risk Perception • Nature vs. manmade • Reversible vs. permanent • Statistical vs. anecdotal

9. Risk Perception Fairly vs. unfairly distributed • Adults vs. children • Understood benefit vs. questionable benefit

10. Emergency Risk Communication Principles • Don’t over-reassure • State continued concern before stating updates • Acknowledge uncertainty • Emphasize a process in place • Give people things to do • Don’t try to allay panic • Acknowledge people’s fears

11. Crisis and Emergency Communication Credibility Successful + = Communication Trust Accuracy ofInformation + Speed of Release Empathy + Openness