Health Sciences

Legislation requires that a variety of services participate in responses to emergencies in structured ways. DHS is the nominated lead control agency if disasters are of an environmental or biological nature. A key part of the role of DHS staff is to communicate effectively with the public about existing structures designed to protect the population from emergencies, provide assistance and support during emergencies, and to aid recovery and rehabilitation afterwards. Thus, a range of mechanisms are already in place. However, the existing guidance for public health professionals working with the media, and other communication channels, during emergencies describe very general principles for communication in an emergency context (Australian Institute of Environmental Health 2002:8967-8971). This research elaborated general principles and provided specific guidance for communications with the Victorian population.

The public health component of the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) includes a number of units with specific responsibilities that are activated during state, national or international emergencies. The emergencies may be activated by chemical, biological or radiological hazards and may happen because of a naturally occurring event, accident or deliberate act such as terrorism. Ensuring the safety of the Victorian population is of paramount importance and this includes the environment, health and communicable diseases units. Effective communication with a diverse general public is of utmost importance in ensuring safety. However, previous research has noted that members of the general public do not always behave in ways advised by emergency professionals.

Methods used were media analysis, case studies, use of scenarios with focus groups, focus group discussions, and a systematic literature review. This research project identified ways of communicating more effectively and appropriately with the general public prior to, during and after emergency situations; made specific recommendations for improving existing emergency communication guidelines in Victoria; developed a curriculum framework for emergency communication training for DHS staff and other relevant personnel; and drew up a "road map" (in accessible table format) of appropriate approaches to emergency communication that take into account different categories of scenario and different populations.