Risk Communication Examples

The tools an organization uses to communicate risk will vary by locale and may be mandated by governments or public safety offices. Leaders in the avalanche industry have been instrumental in the development process, which takes into account What, Where, How, When, and Why. The North American Pubilc Avalanche Danger Scale represents decades of refinement by researchers and practitioners across the continent. It takes into account a mobile element at risk that is quite vulnerable to the hazard and includes travel advice. An example from two distinctly different operations with mobile elements at risk, but with different vulnerabilities would be:

Ski Area

• What- Avalanche Closure Sign

• Where- Placed along a rope line within a ski area or at the permit boundary**

• How- A physical gate with a sign indicating "Open" or "Closed"

• When- Used to open or close segments of the resort based on the patrol's mitigation efforts

• Why- To communicate to guests that the terrain beyond the gate is hazardous and/or unmitigated

Highway

• What- Avalanche Area- No Stopping or Parking*

• Where- Placed at pre-determined mile markers on either side of a known avalanche path**

• How- Bright colors with distinct verbiage indicating restrictions

• When- Stationary and utilized whenever there is snow on the ground. The sign may indicate a date range, e.g. Nov. 1- May 1.

• Why- To communicate to motorists and other users that the highway can be impacted by avalanches

*Sign may be accompanied by a physical gate

**Sign and/or gate will be placed beyond the maximum known extent to provide a margin of physical distance to the hazard

In the modern era where communication can be pushed out through multiple channels to reach the target audience, operations may employ a coordinated campaign of social media, traditional television and radio broadcasts, websites, and overt signage.