US Army Corps of Engineers BUILDING STRONG®

Nebraska Silver Jackets Risk Communication

Eileen L Williamson Public Affairs Specialist, Omaha District

Crystal K Lesmeister PE CFM Hydraulic Engineer, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

Lori Laster CFM Project Manager, Papio Missouri River Natural Resource District Chair, Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association

Tony D Krause PE CFM Hydraulic Engineer, Omaha District

Webinar December 12, 2013

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Overview Risk Communication

►Communication Models ►Problems with Flood Risk Communication

NE Silver Jackets Flood Risk Communication Webtool Levee Safety Outreach Effort

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Risk Communication

Objective: Build Resiliency through Risk Informed Decisions

Risk communication is the exchange of information about hazards and risks leading to a better understanding of the risks and better risk management decisions. Risk communication ensures that the decision makers, other stakeholders and affected parties understand and appreciate the process of risk assessment and in so doing can be fully engaged in and responsible for risk management.

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Risk Communication

Objective: Build Resiliency through Risk Informed Decisions

Risk communication is the exchange of information about hazards and risks leading to a better understanding of the risks and better risk management decisions. Risk communication ensures that the decision makers, other stakeholders and affected parties understand and appreciate the process of risk assessment and in so doing can be fully engaged in and responsible for risk management.

1. Action Oriented 2. Directed to Decision Maker 3. Requires Engaged Participation

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Communication Model (Ideal Case)

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4 Keys to Communication

Communication Environment Defined Objective Organized Message Know the Audience

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Problems with Risk Communication (Recognizing the Environment)

Communication Environment ► The message must be tailored to the environment ► Communication environments include

• Face to face • Flyer/bulletin • Email • Internet • TV • etc

► All environments provide “noise” that impact the message

Pros and Cons on the Internet Environment ► Pro - Always on ► Pro - Interactive ► Con - Many Distractions (emails, links and more links, you-tube, facebook) ► Con - Limited Feedback

NOISE

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Problems with Risk Communication (Recognizing the Environment)

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Problems with Risk Communication (No Organized Message/No Defined Objective)

Flood Risk is a Shared Responsibility Multiple agencies are involved with Risk Communication Each agency has communication tailored to their responsibilities and objectives Each agency is communicating LOUDLY - AT THE SAME TIME - ALL THE TIME No Organized Message – Multiple Objectives

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Problems with Risk Communication (No Organized Message/No Defined Objective)

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Problems with Risk Communication (Understanding the Audience)

Prospect Theory -Kahneman, Tversky

Gamblers Fallacy -Greg Barron

Black Swan -Nassim Nicholas Taleb

HILF -Gordon Graham

Tails Event

Description vs Experience (Analytic vs Experimental) -We are more comfortable making decisions on experience, with low frequency events we

often don’t have experience - Outside of a risk management process, descriptive information (numbers) is not well

understood (Message to the public must be tailored so they can understand it) ► Sites Tailored to Public Audience

► The Great Flood of 1913 – 100 years later • Illinois Silver Jackets – Focus on 1913

flood • http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/1913Flood

► Floodsmart.gov • Great Visuals • Great Personalization • NFIP objective

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Problems with Risk Communication (Understanding the Audience)

I Give Up

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Improving Risk Communication

•Communication Environment •Reshape Commutation Model to Work with the Environment •Make interactive •Provide Feedback Loop •Provide Contact Info

•Defined Objective •Clearly State the Objective / Purpose

•Organized Message •Categorize Information •Provide Sign Posting

•Know the Audience •Personalize (Personal Risk = Personal Consequence = Personal Responsibility) •Visuals/Graphics •Appropriate Information at the Appropriate Time

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Communication Model Revised Model

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Risk Communication Webtool http://floods.dnr.ne.gov/

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•Defined Objective •Clearly State the Objective / Purpose

•Organized Message •Categorize Information •Sign Posting

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•Appropriate Information at the Appropriate Time

Sections are setup for •Risk mitigation – outside of ongoing event •Preparing for a eminent threat •During a flood •Recovering after a flood

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Levee Safety Outreach Collaborative approach with

► Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association (NeFMSA)

► USACE ► FEMA ► Papio Missouri River NRD ► Nebraska Department of Natural

Resources ► JEO Consulting

One day face to face educational opportunity Organized linear message on levee safety

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Communication Related to Levees – From a Levee Sponsors Perspective

Rarely are all parties involved with levee safety and risk reduction in the same room at the same time.

Many times information is only communicated as issues arise and the local sponsor may not be aware of all responsibilities and expectations. They also may not be aware of responsibilities of other agencies involved.

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Levee Safety Outreach Issues with current communication methods Multiple, dispersed sponsors make it challenging to provide a comprehensive message in a timely, budget friendly, manner.

Most communication with levee sponsors occurs in the field, not in a seminar setting, which limits the capability to communicate key points. Most communication occurs in relation to annual or periodic USACE inspections, or in relation to NFIP certification/accreditation which focuses conversation and communication toward these issues and does not provide insight into the larger understanding of flood risk and/or risk informed decision making

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Levee Safety Outreach typical communications

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Levee Safety Outreach the shared responsibility

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The Role of ASFPM/NeFSMA Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Managers

Association (NeFSMA) – NE state chapter of Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM).

Mission is to provide education to Nebraska’s professional about issues facing communities in stormwater and floodplain regulations.

Training provided to our members is comprehensive – no focus on one particular agency or topic

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How Can ASFPM/NeFSMA be a Resource

NeFSMA Annual Conference – Many stakeholders across Nebraska and neighboring states traveling to attend conference

NeFSMA often partners with other agencies and groups to offer training opportunities. ► Shared resources keeps costs low ► Cross-promotion can reach a wider audience

As a non-profit, NeFSMA can often help to pay for meeting expenses and incidental that can not be provided by federal agencies (food, conference space, etc.)

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Levee Safety Outreach Multiple, dispersed sponsors make it challenging to provide a comprehensive message in a timely, budget friendly, manner. Bring together multiple sponsors in a single session -Outreach held at same location as the Annual NeFSMA conference -CEC provided

Most communication with levee sponsors occurs in the field, not in a seminar setting, which limits the capability to communicate key points. Session held in a classroom setting Most communication occurs in relation to annual or periodic USACE inspections, or in relation to NFIP certification/accreditation which focuses conversation and communication toward these issues and does not provide insight into the larger understanding of flood risk and/or risk informed decision making. Collaborative message provided in a comprehensive linear format

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Communication Model Revised Model

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Levee Safety Outreach Attendance: Anticipated 20 – Actual attendance 69

► 6 States ► 13 Levee Districts ► Most attendees from local or regional governments or consultants

Advertised to: ► PL 84-99 participants ► NeFSMA ► NFIP Floodplain administrators ► County Emergency Managers

Attendance cost = $FREE Continuing Education Credits – 6 hours

► Preapproved through ASFPM

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Levee Safety Outreach Setting Nebraska Army National Guard Armory

► This was the only available federal facility large enough in the area of the Nebraska City

► Conference restrictions prevented us from holding this at the more comfortable Lied Lodge

Held on Drill Floor

► Lack of Air Conditioning ► Audio Visuals were not ideal

…..except during July

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Levee Safety Outreach Linear Message – Key Take Always Introductions and Risk Definition Risk Management is a Shared Responsibility Risk = Probability x Consequence Risk treatments include:

► Risk Acceptance ► Risk Transfer ► Risk Reduction – Structural or Nonstructural

Monitoring and Assessing Risk with Levees Identify Levee Failure Modes and link with inspection items What is the NLD What is the difference between Annual and Periodic Inspections What is the difference between inspections and LSAC

Risk Treatments Identify and discuss risk treatment through the NFIP,

structural mitigation, and nonstructural mitigation

Common Hurdles Provide resources to assist with overcoming financial, real-estate, or technical issues

Build a Common Language

Build a Common Understanding

Build a Common Objective/Vision

Provide Resources

•Who is involved •What is Risk •What is Mitigation •etc

How do we recognize risk How do we make decisions

How can we improve Risk

Narrative Hook – lots of pictures

What resources can help

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Levee Safety Outreach Linear Message Introductions and Risk Definition 9:00-9:20 Introductions and the Shared Responsibility of Flood Risk 9:20-9:50 Concept of Risk and Risk Management

Monitoring and Assessing Risk with Levees 9:50-10:35 Levee Failure Modes and their links to inspection criteria 10:35-11:05 USACE Levee Safety Program

Risk Treatments 11:05-11:50 Mitigation through Transfer and the NFIP 11:50-12:00 USACE and Levee Safety Evaluations for the NFIP 1:30–2:00 Structural Risk Reduction 2:00-2:30 Nonstructural Risk Reduction

Common Hurdles 2:30-3:00 Financial Costs 3:00-3:30 Real Estate Requirements 3:30-4:00 Technical and Multiple Agency Coordination and A&E perspective

Course binder and data CD provided to all participants

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Levee Safety Outreach Binder and Data CD Binder includes all presentations Resources and Factsheets

► FEMA handouts ► USACE handouts

• Various guidance documents • Non-Federal Sponsor Guide to

Land Acquisition Written as a part of this outreach 66 pages providing procedure, templates,

form letters, etc relating to real-estate processes

► USGS reports ► ASCE So you Live Behind a Levee

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Documenting Outcome Pre and Post testing

► Tested before and after the training on the following concepts: • Risk Concepts and Risk Drivers • Levee Processes (NLD/AI/PI/LSAC/Certification) • Timeline of Levee Safety • Risk Treatment Methods

The average performance on the pretest was 65% The average performance on the post test was 80%

► Largest improvement was in Risk Treatment Methods ► Second largest improvement was in Levee Processes

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Levee Safety Outreach Course Evaluation Feedback for each presentation – less valuable (1), valuable (2), more valuable (3) Overall Score 2.35 Highest Ranking Presentations

► Levee Failure Modes and their links to inspection criteria ► USACE Levee Safety Program ► Mitigation through Transfer and the NFIP ► Nonstructural Risk Reduction ► Concept of Risk and Risk Management

The evaluation also asked feedback on a scale of 1-5 on:

► Presenters and handouts (organization, legibility, sequencing) - Average Score 4.5 ► Course Contents– Average Score: 4.4

• Would you recommend course to others? – Average Score: 4.4 • Course contributed to my knowledge and skills – Average Score: 4.4

► Atmosphere and AV- Average Score 2.9

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Recap Risk Communication

Communication Models Problems with Flood Risk Communication

NE Silver Jackets Flood Risk Communication Webtool Levee Safety Outreach Effort

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Available Resources on Silver Jackets Sharepoint

-Webtool files – build a tool custom to YOUR STATE !!!! -Levee Outreach: Project Summary, AAR, Working Files, etc

http://www.nfrmp.us/state/factNebraska.cfm

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Levee Outreach -Get a copy of the Binder -Build a Similar Training Opportunity

Communication Webtool -Check it out -Use it in your communication -Build one custom to your state

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Questions?

Crystal Lesmeister PE CFM Hydraulic Engineer, Nebraska DNR

Lori Laster CFM Project Manager with Papio Missouri River Natural Resource District and Chair of Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association

USACE Ohama District

Tony D Krause PE CFM Hydraulic Engineer

Eileen L Williamson Public Affairs Specialist

Questions

For post-webinar follow-up, you are welcome to email:

Lori Laster at llaster@papionrd.org Crystal.Lesmeister@nebraska.gov Eileen.L.Williamson@usace.army.mil Tony.D.Krause@usace.army.mil Norb.Schwartz@gmail.com