Tsunami Education and Outreach Rocky Lopes Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc. On behalf of National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program

Tasks Assess existing tsunami education efforts. Use assessment results to develop a national tsunami education and outreach plan Use the plan to design Guidelines on tsunami education and outreach

What this process is not… Assess Evaluate (grade, rate…) National Plan only way Guidelines requirements Nationally-produced products replacement of existing

Scope Outreach and Education – broad perspective. Includes: Public education activities Signage Communications methods Audiences: Publics – coastal residents and visitors Local influentials Emergency Mgrs & public safety officials Business leaders including lodging industry

Whats working? Activities on tsunami education and outreach work well when: led by local champions related to other local hazards with which people are familiar delivered personally with passion message delivery is tailored for audiences and repeated through multiple credible sources

Challenges Message consistency « not invented here » syndrome Confusion by complex messaging Difficulty explaining science Not a priority for EMs challenged by planning and responding to other hazards Developing local champions

Folklore passing down perceived knowledge based on storytelling

Practices Model practices (not « best » practices) Are replicable, adaptable, and adoptable Evaluation data – available? Self-sustaining?

Methods Print (brochures, posters, coloring books, wheels, etc.) Media, including PSAs and press releases Web – static Web – social networking Video – DVD/static Video – on-line

Summary Looking for model practice examples Looking for information on what has been tried and did not work Need to incorporate social science research with recommended guidelines for tsunami outreach Collaboration and sharing workshops indicated/requested

Contact Rocky Lopes Phone: x715 (Cell): Collaborate via wiki process on plan? Contact me