Communicating emergency information

Abstract

Empirical studies and summaries have done much to further social scientific understanding of how people process and respond to risk communications in emergencies; it has also served to inform practical emergency preparedness efforts in this nation and abroad. Relevant research on human response to risk communications derived from the empirical research record can be summarized as follows. Research indicates that people’s decisions to respond to emergency communications are influenced by: The frequency and channel of communication of the warning. The most important dimensions of the warning frequency/channel are the number of different channels people hear the warning from, hearing from personal channels, and the frequency that people hear the warning. The content of the warning message. The most important dimensions of content are a description of the hazard and impacts, the predicted location of impacts, what actions to take, and when to take those actions. Observing cues. These include social cues (i.e., seeing neighbors evacuating) and physical cues (i.e., seeing flames or a smoke cloud). Aspects of individual status. These include socioeconomic status (i.e., income level and education completed), age, gender, and ethnicity. The role(s) an individual holds in society. These include having children at home, family size (i.e., larger vs. smaller), extent of kin relations, being a united family at time of the event, and greater community involvement. Previous experience with the hazard. People are inclined to do what they did in a previous situation. People’s belief in the warning. Belief is not determined by the credibility of the source issuing the warning but by the frequency the message is heard. People’s knowledge about the hazard. This includes previous information and data gained in the event or by cues. People’s perceptions of risk. This includes perception of the threat before the event and perception of risk from the specific event. The extent of social interactions during the event. This includes efforts to contact others about the event, being contacted by others, and being able to confirm the message as accurate and credible.