Amy Sebring: On behalf of Avagene Moore and myself, welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum! Today's topic is the National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC) and its latest revision to "Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages." This is a follow up on the topic first presented here in the Forum during July 1999. Amy Sebring: Each of our speakers will make a brief presentation to give a general overview of the National Disaster Education Coalition, describe the history and current content of "Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages," explain how to get a copy of the Guide, and then conclude with plans for the future. Amy Sebring: Then we will proceed to your questions and comments. We will provide further instructions just before we begin the Q&A section, but you may wish to jot down your questions or comments as we go along. Amy Sebring: Please do not send private messages to our speakers or the moderator, as we will be busy with the presentation. If you are a first-timer and need assistance, you may send a private message to Avagene. Amy Sebring: An edited transcript of today's session will be available by later this afternoon -- just check back on our home page or the background page (refresh the pages as needed). Amy Sebring: A few URLs will be given during the session, but you may wish to check them later, either from the transcript or from our Background Page. Amy Sebring: Now, it is my pleasure to introduce our speakers. Rocky Lopes serves as the Convener of the National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC). In his "real life," he is Manager of Community Disaster Education at the American Red Cross National Headquarters. Amy Sebring: Joining him today to make this presentation and to answer your questions are Ron Gird, Outreach Manager for the National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services, and Susan Russell-Robinson, Staff Scientist , U.S. Geological Survey. Amy Sebring: Please see the Background Page (later) for more detailed biographical information on our guests. Amy Sebring: Now to kick-off our session, I will turn to Ron Gird to give a brief background about the Coalition. Ron Gird: The National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC) is composed of 20 federal government agencies and national not-for-profit organizations which work together to develop consistent educational information for the public about disaster preparedness, and to disseminate that information throughout their own organizations, their respective constituencies, and to the public at large. Ron Gird: The current members of the Coalition are indicated on the NDEC's web site (refer to http://www.disastereducation.org , right side of page, for list of names). Ron Gird: The NDEC focuses on raising public and media awareness about natural, technological, and human-caused hazards, disaster preparedness, and mitigation activities through public outreach and education serving national, federal, state, and local audiences. Ron Gird: The Coalition works as an ad-hoc group through a consensus process. It is not funded or staffed independently or by any specific agency. Its work is done by representatives of member organizations as they are able to commit and dedicate their time. Ron Gird: We find that when we work together, scientific and background information is understood by all so that we may develop a consensus on disaster education messages. Ron Gird: The Coalition began through an informal bilateral agency collaborative process in the 1980's. In the early 1990's, several relationships had been established between two or three agencies on specific disaster education initiatives. Ron Gird: As people working through these bilateral relationships began talking with one another, the need for a more formalized, regular meeting process was identified so that all agencies could benefit from each other's mutual interests and knowledge. Ron Gird: Prior to September 11, 2001, eight agencies participated in the NDEC. Subsequent to that time, 12 additional agencies and organizations have joined the NDEC and have representatives who actively participate. Ron Gird: The Coalition's principle publication is the document titled "Talking About Disasters: Guide for Standard Messages." We will be discussing that in more detail in a few minutes. Ron Gird: The Coalition meets monthly from September through June in the Washington, DC, area, and enjoys participation from national organizations whose offices outside the DC area as well. Meeting dates and locations are posted on the web site (refer to: http://www.disastereducation.org/meetings.html ). Ron Gird: Now Rocky will take over to provide some background on the history of the Guide. Rocky Lopes: As Ron just mentioned, the Coalition's principle publication is the document titled "Talking About Disasters: Guide for Standard Messages." This Guide was first developed and published in May, 1999. Rocky Lopes: At the time, it was a breakthrough on classifying and coming to agreement on disaster-related content among eight national agencies and organizations on disaster preparedness topics. Rocky Lopes: In January, 2002, the Coalition began conversations about reviewing and updating the Guide. In particular, the events of September 11, 2001, brought additional "hazard topics" to mind, such as terrorism and the agents that terrorists could use to afflict harm on others. Rocky Lopes: Thus began a comprehensive and sometimes quite painful process of reviewing each and every word in the Guide, plus having new chapters written for it. Rocky Lopes: The messages in the Guide have been written, researched, reviewed and approved by representatives from agencies composing the NDEC. A lot of disaster preparedness information remains the same, but some of it has changed when new information or research becomes known. Rocky Lopes: For example, the long-term belief that if someone is on the road when a tornado threatens, the occupants should get out of the vehicle and go up in the underpass for protection. We have learned from the experience with the May 3, 1999, and other tornadoes that doing so could actually put the people in more danger. Rocky Lopes: We also looked at injury patterns following earthquakes, and have reinforced the standardized message that, in the U.S., one should "drop, cover, and hold on" in an earthquake - not run for a doorway or out of a building. Rocky Lopes: Injury patterns have shown that the more people try to move in an earthquake, the more likely they could get injured or even killed. Rocky Lopes: The review and update process of the revised "Talking About Disaster" Guide included extensive participation by more than 450 professionals, scientists, and researchers who contributed to the material. Representatives from NDEC participating agencies have spent numerous hours to refine and resolve content issues and questions, to ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriateness of messages. Rocky Lopes: Now Susan Russell-Robinson will review with you what's in the Revised Guide. Susan Russell-Robins: The "Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages" is composed of a cover, Table of Contents, 19 subject chapters (this is the main content of the Guide), an informative Appendix, and soon to come, an index. Susan Russell-Robins: The content chapters fall into these general categories: Susan Russell-Robins: Severe Weather: Floods & Flash Floods; Heat (Heat Wave); Hurricanes & Tropical Storms; Severe Thunderstorms; Tornadoes; Winter Storms Susan Russell-Robins: Land/Earth: Drought; Earthquakes; Landslides; Tsunamis; Volcanoes; Wildfire Susan Russell-Robins: Human-Caused: a chapter on Terrorism will be Susan Russell-Robins: forthcoming. Susan Russell-Robins: There is also an appendix that lists 30 additional topics that are shared among some hazards - for example, information on portable generator safety is important for the chapters on hurricanes, winter storms, thunderstorms, and post-disaster safety. Susan Russell-Robins: Following each message in the Guide are explanations, statistics, or reasons that reinforce the credibility of the message and that correct myths and misinformation. Susan Russell-Robins: The coalition recognizes that it is important for all agencies to deliver consistent disaster safety messages. Research has proven that when the public receives consistent information, they will prepare and respond appropriately when disaster threatens. Susan Russell-Robins: The Guide will be available in hard copy from any local American Red Cross chapter in August, and is available now on the web. Susan Russell-Robins: Before September 11, 2001, we couldn't use the word "terrorism" in public without thinking that we were going to scare people. Today, that word, and its related agents that could be used to cause harm to others are not only okay to talk about, but are frequently asked about by the public. Susan Russell-Robins: So a new chapter on terrorism will be included for the first time. It is in the final review stages with DHS/FEMA. Susan Russell-Robins: Each content chapter in the Guide is in the following format: Susan Russell-Robins: Header: lists the chapter title and publication month and year. Susan Russell-Robins: Awareness Messages: information that explains the hazard. Susan Russell-Robins: Action Messages: what to do before (preparedness and mitigation), during, and immediately after the hazard happens. Susan Russell-Robins: Media and Community Education ideas: suggestions on Susan Russell-Robins: how to bring the hazard to the attention of the media and the public Susan Russell-Robins: Facts and Fiction: new to this version of the Guide, we address common folklore and debunk it, such as "stand in a doorway in an earthquake" or "get under an underpass in a tornado". Susan Russell-Robins: We're very excited about this new version of the Guide. It reflects a lot of time, review, research, and collaboration among the nation's leading agencies involved in disaster preparedness and safety. Susan Russell-Robins: Now back to Ron for how to get the guide. Ron Gird: "Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages" is available today for free downloading from the National Disaster Education Coalition's web site at: Ron Gird: Each component of the Guide, including the cover, Table of Contents, the content chapters except Terrorism, and Appendix are available now. The index is being done now and will be posted in early August, 2004. The Terrorism chapter will be posted as soon as it is cleared by DHS/FEMA. Amy Sebring: http://www.disaster/education.org/guide.html Ron Gird: We have posted each part of the Guide as a separate PDF file. As of yesterday, the entire Guide from beginning to end is available in one large file in a zipped format. This enables those with broadband service to download the entire document instead of one file-at-a-time. (It had to be in a zipped format to compress the file size... even zipped, the file is over 8MB and can take a while to download. Ron Gird: The Guide is being prepared for printing, and the printed version will be available from some NDEC partner agencies later this summer. When it is available in print, information will be available by email and on the NDEC web site about how to get it and its cost. Ron Gird: As the NDEC itself can not process orders for materials, printed copies will only be available from some individual NDEC agencies, such as the American Red Cross. Ron Gird: Now Rocky will wrap up with plans for future updates. Rocky Lopes: We realize that the content in the Guide is dynamic, and as we continue to learn more information, gather more research, and study disaster safety, we may need to change some content in the Guide. We will do that by updating the content in the files posted on the NDEC web site. Rocky Lopes: You can "opt in" to be notified when the Guide is updated through an on-line "notification form" on the web site. If you ask to be notified, you will get email from Rocky Lopes explaining what has been updated, allowing you to choose if you wish to check out the updated content. Rocky Lopes: If you get a printed version of the Guide and an update is made to a chapter, you can simply download the updated chapter and substitute the changed chapter in your printed version. Rocky Lopes: The National Disaster Education Coalition is truly appreciative to E-Scapes, Inc., and its company HomelandPlans.com, for supporting the NDEC website through in-kind donation of technical support and web hosting, posting its content, and providing a system to update the content as information changes. Rocky Lopes: Our "web guru", Rob Lamb, is with us today! Rocky Lopes: And, the Guide could not have been done without the financial support provided by the Home Safety Council, which provided funding for the editing of the Guide, which went through literally thousands of updates (both large and small) before publication. Rocky Lopes: Susan, Ron, and I are now ready for your questions, and we will turn the session back over to our Moderator. Amy Sebring: Thank you very much Rocky, Ron, and Susan. Our protocol for audience questions is to enter a question mark ? to indicate you wish to ask a question or make a comment. Amy Sebring: Then go ahead and compose your question or comment to have it ready, but do NOT hit your Enter key or click on the Send button until you are recognized by name. Please WAIT your turn. Amy Sebring: We will take questions in the order the question marks are sent to the screen. One question at at time please. If you have a follow up, please get back on line with a ? There is a system limitation on length of one entry, so please keep them reasonable in length. (short!) Amy Sebring: Please try to direct your question to one of our speakers by name if possible. We are ready to begin now. Rebecca Hansen: Q Amy Sebring: (First one usually takes a moment ...) Amy Sebring: Rebecca, when you are ready please. Lora Hainy: ? Mary Burt: ? Rebecca Hansen: Does the guide address customized communication needs of people with disabilities, both the substance of the message, and the means to get the message out using alternative formats? ray pena: ? Rocky Lopes: I'll handle that... Mary Burt: Do you have advise on preparing messages for special populations? Rocky Lopes: There is not a separate chapter, per se, on people with disabilities... Rocky Lopes: however, the Disabilities Preparedness Center is part of the NDEC and... Rocky Lopes: reviewed and provided input throughout the hazard-specific as well as general preparedness sections of the Guide. Amy Sebring: Lora next please. Amy Sebring: (First-timers, please enter your question mark at any time, but then please have your question ready to go.) Lora Hainy: Looks like the previous question was similar to mine... The 1999 Guide had messages for children imbeded in the subject. I've noticed that the 2004 Guide has a brief section at the beginning on talking to children about disasters -- will there be more messages forthcoming on specific subject matters? May we continue to use the childrens messages from the 1999 Guide? Rocky Lopes: I'll handle that... Rocky Lopes: We found that all populations needed to be covered throughout the content, so... Rocky Lopes: rather than make special "children's only" messaging in the revised Guide, we... Rocky Lopes: composed specific audience-related content, where appropriate, throughout it. Amy Sebring: I think Rocky has already addressed Mary's quesiton so Ray next please. Lora Hainy: ? ray pena: An observation first - include attending tornado spotter class for tornado prep. Question: some studies suggest a car may be safer in severe winds than a mobile home. Are you considering including this? Amy Sebring: Do you want Ron to take that? Rocky Lopes: Our NWS rep should handle... (yes) Ron Gird: both of those choices are really bad choices... Ron Gird: better to find a ditch and burrow close to the ground as possible. end Amy Sebring: Lora next please. Lora Hainy: Rocky, may we continue to use specific children's messages from the 1999 Guide? SECOND Q: May we (American Red Cross) make a point to bring the 2004 Guide to our next Storm Spotter's training (locally)? Amy Sebring: ? Rocky Lopes: Q1: you may use the children's messaging from the 1999 Guide if it does not conflict with any updated info in the revision. You need to compare both... Rocky Lopes: Of course, we ask anyone to bring copies of the revised Guide to any and all meetings, conferences, etc.... one more thing... Rocky Lopes: The National Weather Service, which conducts storm spotter training classes, will be providing copies of the Guide to its Warning Coordination Meteorologists, right Ron? cauveren: ? Lora Hainy: ? Erin Lettman: ? Ron Gird: yes, the nws will provide copies to our 122 forecast offices Amy Sebring: Rocky, what is your experience with the media in using the Guide? Are you doing any special outreach there? Lloyd Colston: ? Rocky Lopes: Interestingly, we found a reference on CNN.com yesterday to the new version of the Guide. They used it without prompting... Rocky Lopes: We also have issued press releases, as well as several other agencies... and... Avagene Moore: ? Rocky Lopes: We're hopeful that our local contacts who work with local TV/Radio, will also make a point to bring the Guide to their attention, too. Amy Sebring: Thanks. Cauveren next please. cauveren: When do you expect the terrorism section will be complete? Amy Sebring: Susan? Do you know? Rocky Lopes: FEMA/DHS is working on it right now... in fact, while conducting this chat session, I got a call about it... Rocky Lopes: There are many levels of clearance to go through. We hope soon, but can't speak for FEMA/DHS. Amy Sebring: Lora next please. Gloria Ruggeberg: ? Lora Hainy: The 2004 Guide is very good and covers a lot of subjects. If we have specific message requests that cover a large region (i.e. In the Great Lakes region we do not have tsunamis, but we do have seche's (forgive spelling)...) Who and how may we get messages for these more detailed phenomena? Rocky Lopes: Susan... Seische... your gig... Susan Russell-Robins: Seche is correct... Isabel McCurdy: ? Susan Russell-Robins: Warning information for seche is similar to tsunami.. move inland... Susan Russell-Robins: I am not sure who issues the warnings..will check and we can post on site. right Amy? Amy Sebring: I think Lora is looking for message guidance ... Debbie Jones: ? Amy Sebring: for more specific phenomena ... Rocky Lopes: That is the great thing... Amy Sebring: and is asking who to get in touch with possibly. Rocky Lopes: about how the NDEC works. When we know of a specific interest... Amy Sebring: Perhaps she can follow up with you after. Rocky Lopes: we can update the Guide where appropriate and then notify everyone where it is. Amy Sebring: Great. Erin next please. Erin Lettman: Will the NDEC be providing printed copies to Red Cross chapters? Ron Gird: The local NWS Forecast Offices might be able to help also. Gary Ajello: GARY AJELLO? Rocky Lopes: Red Cross answer... Rocky Lopes: The NDEC doesn't exist as an agency, and has no funding... Rocky Lopes: Red Cross will reproduce the printed version of the Guide... Rocky Lopes: and stock it in its warehouse (GSD) for chapters to order, at cost. Do not know cost yet. Amy Sebring: Lloyd next please. Susan Russell-Robins: Follow up to seche question. Contact me at srussell@usgs.gov Lloyd Colston: Sorry I am late. Technology did not cooperate. If you gave the URL for the guide, please repeat it. I'd also like to plug the Public Information Officers list at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/disasterpio. This list is comprised of PIO/PAO from a number of jurisdictions. It is moderated by Chris Floyd with Red Cross and myself. Amy Sebring: Will get you that link Lloyd. Avagene next please. Avagene Moore: Rocky, I find the idea of clearing up some of the myths around various disaster situations very interesting. I see this as a real need in broad public education. My question is ... Amy Sebring: http://www.disaster/education.org/guide.html Rocky Lopes: The revised Guide is on the NDEC web site at http://www.disastereducation.org Avagene Moore: Has any thought been given to doing some sort of visual version of this sort of thing in the future? Perhaps a PowerPoint slide presentation or DVD version of myth vs. accurate information? I believe it could be very beneficial to community leaders responsible for disaster safety information. Rocky Lopes: I'll handle that... Rocky Lopes: We love these ideas, and can bring them to future NDEC meetings for consideration... Rocky Lopes: it sometimes boils down to "what it will cost" and "who will do it" and since the NDEC isn't funded and doesn't have staff, we have to squeeze it in to our overloaded workpile :-) Amy Sebring: Gloria next please. Gloria Ruggeberg: How do we/ Red Cross get the Guide and how many $? Rocky Lopes: As mentioned before, the printed version of the Guide... Rocky Lopes: is NOT ready yet. When it is ready (late August), it will be stocked in the Red Cross warehouse (GSD)... Rocky Lopes: and announced via a Connection posted on the Red Cross intranet, CrossNet. Rocky Lopes: Do NOT know cost yet. Amy Sebring: Isabel next please. Isabel McCurdy: Rocky, where there any big surprises, something different, that was unexpected in this book version? And how do Canadians and other internationals get a hard copy of this book? What is your email Rocky to contact you? Lloyd Colston: ? Terra Goodnight: ? Rocky Lopes: I would not say that there were "big" surprises, but more like... Rocky Lopes: application of "lessons learned" from some events... Rocky Lopes: Changes were small and large, throughout.... Rocky Lopes: Unfortunately, the American Red Cross serves only the U.S., and can not provide materials outside the U.S. So... Rocky Lopes: to get printed copies outside the U.S. (including Canada), just print it out from the web site. Amy Sebring: Gary next please. Gary Ajello: Will any information be available in the guide on public warning systems, in general? This seems to be an important area that has not received proper attention. Amy Sebring: Ron, care to take a stab at this ? Virginia Morgan: ? Rocky Lopes: Yep, Ron wrote the public warning components scattered throughout chapters of the entire Guide. Ron Gird: the national weather services has a NOAA WEather Radio program and it plans to expand to cover all hazards.... Ron Gird: each chapter in the book has a section on NOAA Weather Radio. Amy Sebring: We have also done a forum session very recently on the All Hazards radio ... Amy Sebring: see our transcripts. Lloyd next please. Lloyd Colston: Is there any provision preventing my local EM office printing the Guide for the Chapter that serves me? For example, I was able to obtain a copy of the guide digitally and print it for the chaper. Is that OK? BTW, Rocky Lopes: Of course. The Guide is in the public domain and may be freely reproduced without permission. Dru Hoge: ? Amy Sebring: You wanted to add something Lloyd? Lloyd Colston: No Debbie Jones: ? Amy Sebring: ok, Terra next please Terra Goodnight: Any plans to add content for utility/infrastructure disruptions? (blackout, water contamination/shortages, water & gas main breaks, gas leaks, telephone or 911 outages)? In urban areas, a lot of our disasters aren't of the natural variety. Rocky Lopes: It's already there, in the Appendix. Amy Sebring: Great. Virginia next please. Virginia Morgan: Rocky, if someone outside the coalition wanted to take a stab at the visual version Isabelle suggested, would NDEC be interested in seeing it for possible adoption? Rocky Lopes: Sure... email ndec@disastereducation.org to discuss/offer. Amy Sebring: Dru next please. Dru Hoge: When a voluntary evacuation notice is posted prior to hurricane, we get lots of calls "Should I evacuate?" Are there criteria for helping folks make the decision? Often we find people leaving who really don't have to - live 10 miles inland, etc. Rocky Lopes: I'll take a stab at that... Rocky Lopes: Dru, I know you're with Red Cross, and sometimes... Rocky Lopes: Red Cross gets calls that really should be directed to local authorities such as EMA... Rocky Lopes: You have to carefully and tactfully deal with them (as I know you personally, you do)... Rocky Lopes: But the situation is that since the Red Cross doesn't call for evacuations, we can't advise... so you need to know to whom to refer and do that. Amy Sebring: Debbie next please. Debbie Jones: I haven't looked at the entire guide, but I didn't see anything specifically targeting seniors. Are they just to use the general guides? Are there suggestions for those that may use life support, as to how to develop a backup plan? Rocky Lopes: I'll handle that... Rocky Lopes: There are some general "seniors" issues throughout the guide, but you're right... Rocky Lopes: not a lot of detail.... instead, I suggest... Rocky Lopes: you get through your local Red Cross chapter the booklet "Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities" stock number A5091 or ... Rocky Lopes: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors, which address those issues more specifically. Amy Sebring: We are at the end of the line. Anyone else with questions/comments/feedback, please enter your ? now. Amy Sebring: ? Terra Goodnight: ? Amy Sebring: I have one speaking of local agencies Rocky ... Amy Sebring: we do find that local ARC chapters are much more generally known to the public ... Linda Botts: Linda Botts:? Amy Sebring: than local EM agencies. Is there some education in the Guide on that? Rocky Lopes: No, not really. The Guide gives standard messages about disaster preparedness, not on or about local agencies. Amy Sebring: Ok, thanks. Amy Sebring: Terra next please. Terra Goodnight: Any studies/research indicate the best way to reach people to get these messages out (assumign our local media doesn't cover them)? i.e., are brochures a less effective way to spend limited $ than PSAs or websites? Also, is there a counterpart to NDEC for city/state agencies? Rocky Lopes: Yes, a bit of research here, but I'll be brief... Rocky Lopes: Multiple disseminations from multiple sources is required... Rocky Lopes: one agency with one brochure just doesn't do it any more... Rocky Lopes: The primary thing to remember is that people "shop around" for information... Rocky Lopes: and when they get the same message from different sources, then tend to do what you want them to do... so... Rocky Lopes: That's why the NDEC says, "it's the message, not the message deliverer" that is important. Amy Sebring: Linda next please. Amy Sebring: ? Lloyd Colston: ? Linda Botts: Are there any recommendations in the guide for where non-English speaking people can get local watch/warning information? Does NOAA radio broadcast in any language other than English? Where can I direct non-English speakers to get current watch/warning info from? Ron Gird: NOAA Weather Radio is done on a station by station basis. Rocky Lopes: To add on... There is not info in the Guide on where non-English speaking people can get info... Rocky Lopes: The Guide is about standard messages, not a guidebook on how to reach at-risk audiences. For that... Rocky Lopes: get disaster education training through your local Red Cross, in cooperation with other community-based organizations and local NDEC partners. Amy Sebring: I just want to commend the Red Cross for getting out there early with some good public information on terrorism, at at time when there was a vacuum of information! I expect you had something to do with that Rocky. Lloyd next please and that will be the last one. Lloyd Colston: If multiple messages is the "norm", what does that do to the JIC concept of one coordinated message from one source? Amy Sebring: Rocky can you address that? Rocky Lopes: that's really a response issue... Rocky Lopes: The Guide is really about pre-event, not post-event, messaging... Rocky Lopes: However, the JIC concept is consistent with the NDEC concept of having consistent information. However... Rocky Lopes: NDEC concept is "regardless of source" because before an event, people will "shop around." Amy Sebring: That's all we have time for today. Thank you very much Rocky, Ron and Susan for taking the time to share this valuable information with us today. Please stand by while we make some quick announcements .... Amy Sebring: Again, the transcript will be posted late tonight and you will be able to access it from our home page or the background page. We also have a great archive of transcripts which you can access by topic from the home page. Amy Sebring: If you are not currently on our mailing list, and would like to get program announcements and notices of transcript availability, please see the Subscribe link on our home page. Amy Sebring: Thanks to everyone for participating today. Great questions and comments. We stand adjourned but before you go, please help me show our appreciation to Rocky, Ron, and Susan for a fine job.