Principles of Risk Communication

The Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, with support from the USACE National Flood Risk Management Program team, has developed several risk communication resources for use by Silver Jackets teams and other federal and state flood risk management professionals. The collaborative partnership was established through an interagency agreement between USACE and the National Science Foundation as the granting agency for the Natural Hazards Center Clearinghouse. The Natural Hazards Center is the nation’s National Science Foundation-designated information clearinghouse for natural hazards societal dimensions. Additional information about the development of these resources can be found on the Natural Hazards Center webpage. For additional questions or information, contact IWR.SilverJackets@usace.army.mil.

Principles of Risk Communication: A Guide to Communicating with Socially Vulnerable Populations Across the Disaster Lifecycle (April 2020)

The Principles of Risk Communication guide identifies three overarching principles based on a review of literature and relevant research. The organizational format allows the reader to easily navigate and comprehend the principles, with tables summarizing underlying concepts and examples of the principle’s application in real world situations for each phase of the disaster lifecycle. While the principles can be broadly applied to all populations, the guide highlights tips, implications and considerations for communication with socially vulnerable populations (defined as those who face a disproportionate disaster risk due to a variety of historical, social, economic and political considerations). A recorded webinar (Risk Communication and Social Vulnerability Across the Disaster Lifecycle: Resources for Practitioners, Sept. 2020) provides additional information about the guide.

Principles of Risk Communication Worksheets Cover

Principles of Risk Communication Worksheets: Exercises for Integrating Principles into Risk Communication Practice (May 2021)

This booklet contains five worksheets that guide the practitioner through a series of questions and exercises to apply the three risk communication principles and to plan for and later evaluate risk communication activities. Each worksheet is organized into three steps. Each step includes a series of questions, Quick Tips that highlight important topics associated with a principle, and links to Featured Resources that can facilitate completion of the exercises and the communication effort. A recorded webinar (Exercises in Risk Communication: Serving the Whole Community with a Focus on Socially Vulnerable Populations, Sept. 2021) with additional information is also available.

Cover for Risk Communication Involving Vulnerable Populations

Risk Communication Involving Vulnerable Populations: An Annotated Bibliography (April 2020)

The annotated bibliography provides background for practitioners interested in delving more deeply into the supporting information behind these principles. The document summarizes published academic research, public reports and guidance documents for more than 40 resources. A table at the front summarizes in one sentence the risk communication implications conveyed by the resource. Additional information for each resource includes key findings and take-home messages stated up-front and a brief abstract.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supports state-led Silver Jackets Teams through its Flood Risk Management Program.