Risk And Crisis Communications: Methods And Messages

This resource for safety, health, and environmental professionals, including managers and non-managers, covers general concepts and practical applications of developing and delivering risk and crisis communications in response to crises such as natural disasters, security incidents, public health crises, and workplace catastrophes. The book begins by reviewing key terms and theoretical foundations, then guides readers though the steps of developing risk and crisis messages, with specific advice on how to profile the intended audience and how to deal with strong audience emotions such as fear and anger. Two techniques for creating actual messages are described, influence diagrams and message maps, both of which rely on developing audience empathy. The book also presents several models for crisis communications plans and offer tips on working with the media. Case studies draw on the H1N1 pandemic of 2009-2010 and the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Walaski is a health and safety consultant. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Pamela (Ferrante) Walaski is the President of JC Safety & Environmental, Inc., a health and safety consulting firm and is a frequent speaker and seminar presenter on the topic of risk and crisis communications. She holds both the CSP and CHMM designations, and writes regularly for the leading professional journals. She is both chair of the Technical Publications Advisory Committee and administrator of the Consultants Practice Specialty of the ASSE, and was a contributing author to The Safety Professionals Handbook. In 2011, she was the recipient of the ASSE President's Award.