Topic 6 - Risk Communication

Question 1

What is Risk Communication?

Answer 1

• Purposeful exchange of information from one group (often government) about environmental risks and hazards, and protective measures, to another group (the public)

Question 2

What is Persuasion?

Answer 2

• Does the information being communicated persuade the receiver to believe it and take protective measures?

Question 3

What is the significance of the CN Derailments case?

Answer 3

• CN had cars of crude catch fire and derail, causing a “do not consume” water hazard. They downplayed the event in a CBC News article.
• Raises the question of who is providing the information, and if it is trustworthy or not

Question 4

What is Organizational Trust?

Answer 4

• Do people trust the information being presented by the organization?

Question 5

What is Interpersonal Trust?

Answer 5

• Trust in the individual who is delivering the message

- There may be a situation where you do trust the individual, but not the agency that they work for…

Question 6

What was the survey given to 4 disaster impacted rural Australian towns, and what were the findings?

Answer 6

• This survey was to find out how people perceived climate change as a serious problem and how they received and interpreted information from the government and media.
• The result was that, if people didn’t trust the information, they had had a lower risk perception.

Question 7

What are 5 Information Channels?

Answer 7

1. ) Mass Media
2. ) Government/organization websites
3. ) Video
4. ) Information brochures
5. ) In person

Question 8

What are some examples of Information Sources?

Answer 8

1. ) TV
2. ) Radio
3. ) Internet
4. ) Newspapers
5. ) Police
6. ) Local Government
7. ) Provincial Government
8. ) Federal Government
9. ) Family/Friends
10. ) Hospital/Health Authority
11. ) Fire Department

Question 9

According to Mileti (2004), what are the “Laws of Effective Public Hazard Education?” (9)

Answer 9

1. ) Be Clear
2. ) Use Varied Sources
3. ) Consistent and repeated
4. ) Include a written document mailed directly to people’s homes
5. ) Tell people what to do (before, during, after)
6. ) Support people in their search for more information
7. ) Use words and great graphics
8. ) Position additional information in the community
9. ) Also: Feature specialists and adapt information to locals

Question 10

What are 3 important questions to consider when tailoring risk communication information to an intended audience?

Answer 10

1. ) What information would you want to communicate?
2. ) Who would be communicating this information?
3. ) How would you communicate this information?

Question 11

What is the difference between One-Way and Two-Way Communication?

Answer 11

• One-way communication is good for providing basic information
• Two-way information is more effective in getting people to actually take precautions. However, it is more expensive and more time consuming (open houses, exhibits, activities, door-to-door)

Question 12

What is the significance of Lake Edith, Jasper National Park?

Answer 12

• Good example of Two-Way Risk Communication
• There were meetings with residents in the area to get community participation in wildfire mitigation. Hazard assessments were offered, and demonstrations were given to the community as a whole.

Question 13

What are the 4 Objectives of Risk Communication?

Answer 13

1. ) Information
2. ) Persuasion
3. ) Warnings
4. ) Analyze Problems