There are several key challenges in risk communication and management. Theorem 1 notes that 50% of problems result from different meanings assigned to the same words. Theorem 2 notes the other 50% comes from using different words with the same meaning. Further, risk has different meanings depending on if it is used in a colloquial, technical, or insurance sense. Proper risk analysis requires understanding hazards, consequences, likelihoods, and vulnerabilities. Determining what is a hazard, disaster, or safe level of risk depends greatly on context. Effective risk communication requires addressing different risk perceptions while building community partnerships.

1. Hazard Risk Management Establish the Context Objectives Stakeholders Criteria Define key elements Identify the Risks Hazards analysis Vulnerability analysis Analyze the Risks Review controls Likelihoods Consequences Level of risk Evaluate the Risks Evaluate risks Rank Risks Treat the Risks Identify options Select the best responses Develop risk treatment plan Implement Communicate and Consult Monitor and Review Emergency Management Australia, 2002. Emergency Risk Management

3. Meanings of the word RISK RISK Colloquial Danger Venture Opportunity Technical Hazard Probability Consequence Insurance Chance Uncertainty Jardine and Hrudley, 1997. “Mixed Messages in Risk Communication”

5. RISK The product of a hazard’s likelihood of occurrence and its consequences to society. RISK = LIKELIHOOD X CONSEQUENCE

7. What makes something a hazard? If a storm occurs at sea, in an area of no shipping traffic and where there are no land masses, is it a hazard?

8. DISASTER “ A serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of affected society to cope using only its own resources” - The United Nations, 1992 United Nations, Department of Humanitarian Affairs. 1992. Internationally Agreed Glossary of Basic Terms Related to Disaster Management . (DNA/93/36). United Nations. Geneva.

10. Terms Describing EVENTS Accidents Incidents Disturbances Emergencies Crises Tragedies Catastrophes Calamities Disasters

12. VULNERABILITY “ The degree of susceptibility and resilience of the community and environment to hazards.” - Emergency Management Australia, 2000 Emergency Management Australia. 2000. “Emergency Risk Management”

14. SAFE “A risk becomes safe , or acceptable , if it is associated with the best of the available alternatives, not with the best of the alternatives which we would hope to have available. Do you agree or disagree? Derby, S. L., and R. L. Keeney. 1981. “Risk Analysis: Understanding ‘How Safe is Safe Enough’”. Risk Analysis. 1:217-224.

16. Some Odds of Death Hazard Annual Risk Lifetime Risk Car Accident 1/18,752 1/244 Accidental Fall 1/20,728 1/270 Accidental Poisoning 1/22,388 1/292 Murdered With a Gun 1/25,196 1/328 Hit by Car While Walking 1/45,117 1/588 Drowning (Accidental) 1/77,308 1/1,008 Fire/Smoke Inhalation 1/81,487 1/1,062 Lightning 1/ 4,262,813 1/55,578 Memmott, Mark. 2002. Fear may be overwhelming, but so are the odds. USA Today. October 18. p.6A

18. Hazard Risk Management Establish the Context Objectives Stakeholders Criteria Define key elements Identify the Risks Hazards analysis Vulnerability analysis Analyze the Risks Review controls Likelihoods Consequences Level of risk Evaluate the Risks Evaluate risks Rank Risks Treat the Risks Identify options Select the best responses Develop risk treatment plan Implement Communicate and Consult Monitor and Review Emergency Management Australia, 2002. Emergency Risk Management