4 Strategies for effective risk communication following an emergency event or disaster

The science of emergency response preparedness has advanced over the past 30 years, but the human brain has not fundamentally changed in thousands of years. Communicating OEHS concepts is a priority for all occupational hygienists – but how can you help workers, management, and the community better understand the importance of these concepts? Effective communication is a learned skill. Building trust and empathy are critical in any two-way conversation, and listening is often the most crucial aspect in effective communication. Having a well laid out plan is a critical element for any successful emergency response. Once the bad thing happens, it is difficult, if not impossible to earn trust within the community. Trust must be earned and part of your preplanning efforts. Preplanning must include elements aimed at developing a solid reputation and building trust within communities and/or among stakeholders. This talk will focus on the following elements of communication after an emergency event has occurred (using first-hand experience from train derailments in the U.S.): •the importance of effective communication and the relationship between engagement and outrage, •the importance of preparing a communication plan for when (not if) an emergency event occurs, •how companies/ organization can build trust and develop positive relationships before the emergency event occurs.