Tsunami Education and OutreachRocky 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

What’s 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: 1-877-641-4477 x715• (Cell): 1-301-801-1732• Rocky.Lopes@noaa.gov

• Collaborate via wiki process on plan? Contact me