Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Recommendation:
The NOAA/NWS should better integrate TWC warning functions with
those of the states, counties, and cities with regard to the content and dissemination of
public warning messages. The NOAA/NWS should develop formal TWC outreach plans,
approaches to assess needs and priorities of TWC customers, and evaluative criteria for
examining the effectiveness of warning-message content and delivery after signiicant
events.
The NOAA/NWS should formally study and develop a plan to incorporate the use of tradi-
tional, nontraditional and next generation technologies (e.g., mobile and social networking)
in support of community outreach and dissemination related to tsunamis. This plan should be
one component of the enterprise-wide technology and organizational planning effort recom-
mended by the committee and described more fully in Chapter 5. It should relect an under-
standing of the rich literature evaluating the use and effectiveness of various technologies,
including emerging social networking technology.
A better integration with the states, counties, and cities could be achieved by modeling the
outreach approach used by the NWS to reach warning partners, which uses NWS ield ofices
to facilitate such interactions, training sessions, and more with state, county, and city warning
partners. To do this, communication, education, and outreach require more attention and re-
sources to accomplish the TWCs' goal of warning people and protecting lives. The NOAA/NWS
needs to establish dedicated TWC positions for public affairs oficers who have expertise in the
social science of risk communication regarding warning-message creation and dissemination,
needs assessments, program evaluation, and emergency management.
After signiicant tsunami warnings are issued to U.S. communities (e.g., the 2010 Chilean
event), the NOAA/NWS should initiate an independent review of TWC actions and the TWC's
integration with its partners and customers through an external science review board.
Communicating Local Community Needs to NTHMP and the TWCs
Just as the NTHMP provides a forum for state and federal agencies to discuss issues and
needs related to tsunami education and warnings, several NTHMP members (as part of the
NTHMP M&ES) have created working groups to facilitate communication, coordination, and
planning among local and state agencies. Some regional groups are making important contri-
butions to the coordination of educational efforts. Some NTHMP members (e.g., Washington)
have used these groups to develop risk reduction priorities for future NTHMP funding. The fol-
lowing is a brief summary of tsunami working groups within various NTHMP member states.
•
Washington State/Local Tsunami Working Group:
Established in 1996, the
Washington State/Local Tsunami Working Group is a forum that meets quarterly
to identify tsunami preparedness, response and recovery, and education and out-
reach needs and to develop the direction of the state tsunami program. The state of
Washington has a tsunami advisor to the Washington congressional delegation who
also advises at meetings of the governor's ofice support workgroup. Working group
