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
Overview
 Nuclear Detonation Communications
Activities at the Federal Level
Center for Radiation Information
and Outreach
Pg 2
Interagency Collaboration
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 3
Planning Guidance
Recommendations to maximize the
preservation of life in the event of an
urban nuclear detonation.
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Shelter and evacuation
Medical Care
Population Monitoring
Decontamination
Public Preparedness
Emergency Public Information
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 4
Weather Matters
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 5
Illustrative Weather Variations
Sept
Mar
Jun
Dec
Apr
Oct 15,
15,
15,
15,2006
2006
2006
2006
Jan
Feb
Aug
Noon
Noon
6
>300 cGy
>100 cGy
>1 cGy in 2hr
July
May15,
15,2006
2006
Nov 15, 2006
Noon
Noon
Noon
Weather Matters!
6
Decay
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 7
48:00
6:00
24:00
5:45
5:30
5:15
5:00
4:45
4:30
4:15
4:00
3:45
3:30
3:15
3:00
2:45
2:30
2:15
2:00
1:45
1:30
1:15
1:00
:45
:30
:15
Hours : Minutes
Get Inside
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 9
Get Inside, Stay Inside
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 10
Get Clean
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 11
Get Clean
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 12
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
Center for Radiation Information
and Outreach
Pg 13
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
Pg 14
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
Pg 15
December 16, 2010
Center for Radiation Information and
Outreach
Pg 16
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
Pg 17