SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

VII. Volcanoes and human societies  

VII.6 Successful information coordination among scientists, civil protection groups, and local officials during a crisis

Conveners:
Carolyn Driedger, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, USA; driedger@usgs.gov
Marta Lucía Calvache, SGC - Servicio Geológico Colombiano, Colombia; mcalvache@sgc.gov.co
Graham Leonard, GNS Science, New Zealand   G.Leonard@gns.cri.nz
Jeff Rubin, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Tigard, OR, USA; jeff.rubin@tvfr.com
Luisa Macedo Franco, INGEMMET- Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico, Peru; lmacedo@ingemmet.gob.pe
John Ewert, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, USA; jwewert@usgs.gov
Scott Henize, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, USA; sheinze@co.pierce.wa.us

Successful information coordination among scientists, emergency managers, and local officials is the primary foundation for effective volcano crisis response.  Key to success is recognizing that effective coordination is a long-term process and not just an outcome.  Effective information coordination ideally begins well in advance of a crisis with hazard characterization and identification and engagement of stakeholders with easily comprehensible technical information.  This requires multi-level participation in developing message content, delivery, and assessment strategies that can reduce impact and improve community preparedness.  This session will focus on relevant research and practical experience that can facilitate information development and coordination before, during, and after a crisis.  Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, interagency coordination planning; stakeholder engagement, including identifying and assessing how best to communicate with a range of communities; strategies for interacting with social and traditional news media; and the role of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction in successful communication during a crisis.  We welcome case histories as well as academic research on these communication topics.