Developing a risk communication model to encourage community safety from natural hazards

O'Neill, P. (2004) Presented at the 4th NSW Safe Communities Symposium, Sydney, NSW, 2004

This discussion paper will outline issues relating to developing a risk communication model in the context of a severe but infrequent hazard such as a significant flood or storm. It will also investigate the concept of risk perception and the elements that contribute to an integrated community safety campaign. The paper will review traditional approaches to community education used by emergency agencies. It will suggest a need for a more integrated risk communication model that acknowledges community perceptions about the risks they face, and while encouraging self-reliance acknowledges the limitations of this approach. It will then present a coherent conceptual framework for communicating and involving the public, focusing on adopting protective behaviour for the predisaster phase. Hopefully, this paper will generate vigorous debate over future directions for community safety within the State Emergency Service (SES) and lead to the development of rigorous and effective safety programs for flood and storm education.

Emergency managers are in the midst of historic changes. The focus of expectations has changed dramatically, from a pure emergency response to a proactive 'risk management' approach involving disaster mitigation, prevention, and risk communication (Keys 1999a, Buckle 1998, Granger 1999).

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