Towards protective action: Effective risk and warning communication during natural hazards
The aim is to develop an evidence base for the best content and sources of warning messages that encourage people to take appropriate action. The focus is on optimising emergency warning messages to improve community members’ readiness to act.
The project looks at various components of message content and message sources as well as message timings The various characteristics of the messages are likely to impact on community members’ trust in the message and subsequent belief that they should act. The timing of the message in relation to the type of hazard, as well as the sequence of warning messages will be investigated. This is a project with the Bushfire and natural Hazards CRC. We will use focus groups to better understand how people respond to messages, and surveys (using experimental stimulus) to collect specific data about exactly what aspects of messages encourage people to take appropriate action.
PPRG contact: Professor Lisa Bradley