Effective Collaboration: Risk Communications and Data Sharing

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors

May 16, 2011

Jessica Wieder

EPA

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

202-343-9201

wieder.jessica@epa.gov

Jonathan Lifland

FEMA Contractor – ORISE

Center for Radiation Informationand Outreach

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Overview

Nuclear Detonation Communications Activities at the Federal Level

Interagency Collaboration

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Planning Guidance

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Recommendations to maximize the preservation of life in the event of an urban nuclear detonation.

•Shelter and evacuation•Medical Care•Population Monitoring•Decontamination•Public Preparedness •Emergency Public Information

Weather Matters

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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6

Illustrative Weather Variations>300 cGy

>100 cGy

>1 cGy in 2hr

Jan 15, 2006Jan 15, 2006NoonNoon

Feb 15, 2006Feb 15, 2006NoonNoon

Mar 15, 2006Mar 15, 2006NoonNoon

Apr 15, 2006Apr 15, 2006NoonNoon

May 15, 2006May 15, 2006NoonNoon

Jun 15, 2006Jun 15, 2006NoonNoon

July 15, 2006July 15, 2006NoonNoon

Aug 15, 2006Aug 15, 2006NoonNoon

Sept 15, 2006Sept 15, 2006NoonNoon

Oct 15, 2006Oct 15, 2006NoonNoon

Nov 15, 2006Nov 15, 2006NoonNoon

Dec 15, 2006Dec 15, 2006NoonNoon

Weather Matters!66

Decay

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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:15 :30 :451:001:151:301:452:002:152:302:453:003:153:303:454:004:154:304:455:005:155:305:456:0024:0048:00Hours : Minutes

Get Inside

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Get Inside, Stay Inside

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Get Clean

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Get Clean

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Center for Radiation Informationand Outreach

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Communicating to a Non-technical Audience

A brilliant scientific discourse is wasted if no one listens or understands it.

Journal of the American Medical Association

Post-Detonation Communications

The goal:• Provide technically-accurate,

clear, consistent messages across all levels of government to the public as quickly as possible to save lives.

The document includes:• Key messages for the impacted

community and the nation • 98 anticipated questions and

answers

Document update in progress

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Public Message Testing

Write short, concise and simple messages

Do not use contradicting statements

Use directive, authoritative language

Provide prioritized instructions

Modify “instructions will change” to “instruction will be updated”

Encourage people not to leave their homes

Tailor messages to various audiences

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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December 16, 2010

Nuc/Rad Communications Working Group

Under FEMA’s IND Response and Recovery Program

Volunteers from federal, state and local governments and academic institutions

Radiation communicators and technical specialist

Center for Radiation Information and Outreach

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