Risk Communications
The Partnership identified risk communications as an area that needed significant attention. Risk communications is obviously key in all emergencies but it is particularly important in agricultural and food emergencies where market implications and confidence in the food supply is at risk. The project proceeded by doing an assessment of existing materials and looking at lessons learned from past events.
Based upon these findings, a list of topics was developed to focus on. Risk Communication Fact Sheets, prescripted press releases, and producer checklists tailored to each disease and incident were produced. The project was further expanded to incorporate additional diseases/incidents and developed a briefing book. The briefing book contains the key messages that were needed to be conveyed in the various types of emergencies. By each state using these materials as a common base for public information during emergencies, a consistent message will be promoted.
The Partnership created risk communications
manuals that can be used by agricultural responders in the field,
held spokesperson training for staff that may be asked to present
information to the public or media, and held both beginner and
intermediate-level risk communications training and executive-level
training for directors and agency leads. These sessions were held
in each state and were tailored for each states needs. Finally, the
Partnership held a Joint Information Center Exercise which focused
on interstate and intrastate coordination.
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