Abstract:
Ineffectual risk communication during crisis has led to confusion and distrust of
authorities and incident managers by the public and other stakeholders. To highlight this
critical aspect of crisis response, the actions of public agencies and private entities during
five recent incidents of Bacillus anthracis contamination and decontamination were
studied. Four models of risk communication—the mental models approach, the messagecentered
approach, the bootstrapping approach, and the professional judgment
approach—were used to evaluate five anthrax incidents—three from the 2001 Amerithrax
case, and two cases from 2006 that occurred naturally. Tests of criteria developed for
each model reveal that the professional judgment approach to risk communication is the
most widely used approach and currently is the most effective means of communicating
risk of this nature. The results emphasize the importance of having a structured risk
communication strategy during crisis events.
