Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
traditional, or next generation technologies (e.g., mobile and social networking) in support
of community outreach and dissemination.
Recommendation:
The NWS should establish a committee of experts in the social science
of warning messaging to review the format, content, delivery channels, and style of TWC
messages. If distinct messages are to be produced by the two TWCs, then the messages
should be consistent. Ideally, the committee recommends that one message be released
by the two TWCs that internally covers information for all areas of responsibilities.
IMPROVING COORDINATION OF PREPAREDNESS
NEEDS AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES
Because tsunami evacuations involve multiple actors (e.g., the at-risk individual, TWCs,
media outlets, critical facilities, schools, and local, state, and federal oficials), signiicant
pre-event planning, coordination, and testing of procedures are necessary to increase the
likelihood that evacuations are successful. As the June 14, 2005, tsunami warning case study
demonstrates (Appendix F), warning dissemination and coordination of responses is not trivial.
The next section discusses efforts to ensure effective communication within the NTHMP and to
test interagency coordination in the event of a tsunami.
Improving Communication Among TWCs and NTHMP Members
Because the TWCs can only provide the public with alerts about the hazard and local
oficials are responsible for the public response (e.g., issue evacuation orders and facilitate the
evacuation), the TWCs need to establish and maintain partnerships with agencies responsible
for managing evacuations. Because information low is no longer linear or hierarchical (i.e., TWC
to emergency manager to public), the TWCs need to consider not only emergency managers,
but also the media and the general public as an audience when reining the warning and dis-
semination plans. To date, the TWCs and the NTHMP have done a great deal to engage with the
customers and establish community connections, including the following actions.
•
The creation of the NTHMP Tsunami Warning Coordination Subcommittee (WCS),
which enables members to give input on TWC warning products and dissemination,
coordinates major tsunami exercises and tsunami end-to-end tests, exchanges experi-
ences of past events, and discussses improvements related to operational products
and dissemination.
•
NAWAS is routinely tested, including communication between the TWCs, states, and
local jurisdictions. The test results and issues resolved are published by the TWCs and
disseminated to all stakeholders.
•
The TWCs and the NTHMP support the development of “State Alert and Warning
