Theoretical Perspectives on Public Communication Preparedness for Terrorist Attacks

Abstract

The experience of federal health authorities in responding to the mailed anthrax attacks in the Fall of 2001 sheds light on the challenges of public information dissemination in emergencies. Lessons learned from the Fall of 2001 have guided more recent efforts related to crisis communication and preparedness goals. This article applies theories and evidence from the field of communication to provide an orientation to how public health communication can best contribute to the preparedness effort. This theoretical orientation provides a framework to systematically assess current recommendations for preparedness communication.

Before it Hits the Fan: Pre-Crisis Beef Producer Information Source Preferences

“…Penrose (2000) and Covello (2003) suggested there is a value in clearly identifying the key audience stakeholders, especially before a crisis occurs. Understanding and responding to the audience provides information sources the best opportunity to serve those groups when emergency is needed (Wray, Kreuter, Jacobsen, Clements, & Evans, 2004). Riesenberg and Gor (1989) maintained the issue of the "communication gap" between the extension service personnel and the farmer has been the "stumbling block" of the "methods employed for the dissemination of agricultural information" (p.7).…”

Predicting Response to Reassurances and Uncertainties in Bioterrorism Communications for Urban Populations in New York and California

“…7,9,11,17,22 Effective risk and uncertainty communications during decontamination and recovery phases of a biological attack will play a crucial role in the mitigation of damage and timely recovery. [69][70][71][72] This study explored several challenges for the risk/crisis communication process during consequence management in 2 urban populations especially vulnerable to loss in the event of an extreme act of biological terrorism.…”

“…[6][7][8][9] Yet, since September 11, 2001, several extreme risk events in the U.S. and in other countries have demonstrated an urgent need to update and improve the risk/crisis communication infrastructure and strategies of government agencies and organizations responsible for the safety and security of civilian populations. [9][10][11][12] Terrorist attacks on the London, Mumbai, and Madrid public transportation systems; Hurricane Katrina; the December 2008 multisite terrorist attacks on ''soft targets'' in Mumbai, India, over a 60-hour period; the anthrax attacks of 2001; and the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009-10 all revealed weaknesses in crisis, risk, and public health communication planning and operations.…”

“…31 Even more critical is communication preparedness for extreme acts like biological terrorism or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attacks that can display high levels of uncertainty as events progress, demand ongoing timely reevaluation of response effectiveness, present a good likelihood of unexpected developments, and reflect an ongoing potential for catastrophic outcomes. 7,9,10,32 The resilience of communities and governments regarding bioterrorism acts requires the ability to adapt to and recover from adverse consequences within a reasonable timeframe. Communication is viewed as a crucial element of resilience because it can have a major influence on the timeliness of the public's adoption of protective actions, readiness of leaders and government agencies to act decisively, adequacy of agencies' preevent preparedness, selection of appropriate risk reduction strategies by leaders, and the willingness of affected populations to accept official declarations about the safety of environments as a result of decontamination and risk reduction efforts.…”

Journal of Applied Communications vol. 93 (3-4) Full Issue

“…Understanding and responding to the audience provides information sources the best opportunity to serve those groups when emergency is needed (Wray, Kreuter, Jacobsen, Clements, & Evans, 2004). Riesenberg and Gor (1989) maintained the issue of the "communication gap" between the extension service personnel and the farmer has been the "stumbling block" of the "methods employed for the dissemination of agricultural information" (p.7).…”