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  Research Highlights

Risk Communication With Message Mapping

Image: Risk Communication Center.
EPA's National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) evaluates human health risks associated with the release of contaminants into the environment.
Message mapping is a science-based risk communication tool that enables members of the responder and environmental protection communities to quickly and concisely deliver the most pertinent information about an emergency. A sample handout that uses the message map approach to describe EPA’s rapid risk assessment process appears below.

EPA is currently assisting responders and other stakeholders in developing message maps for terrorist threats and other disasters. The project has two objectives:

  • to help stakeholders develop scientifically sound message maps for various possible highstress situations
  • to train scientists, first responders, public information officers, and others to use message mapping techniques in their communications during such incidents

To achieve these objectives, EPA is sponsoring a series of workshops involving experts in various disciplines. The first two workshops, held in May 2004 and March 2005, focused on threats to drinking water. Message maps have been developed for seven scenarios affecting drinking water systems—for instance, insertion of a disease agent into the water, damage to the distribution infrastructure, and massive power failure.

Recent and upcoming workshops address message mapping for attacks on arenas, malls, schools, and office buildings, and for area decontamination, response, and recovery.


Contact: Deborah McKean

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