Bioterrorism Preparedness Program

What is Rhode Island doing to prepare for a possible bioterrorist event?

COMMUNICATING TO RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS ABOUT BIOTERRORISM
WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS TO KNOW

In September 2002 the Rhode Island Department of Health contracted with the consulting firm Policy Studies Inc. to conduct focus groups with Rhode Island residents and in-depth interviews with members of organizations that serve certain special populations in the state. The purpose of the research was to learn:

• What type of information residents want about bioterrorism before, during and after an emergency;
• Who residents trust to deliver information about bioterrorism; and
• How residents want to receive information before, during, and after an actual emergency.

WITH REGARD TO BIOTERRORISM, RI RESIDENTS WANT TO KNOW…

• Basic information about what the state is doing to prepare for an emergency without too many details (details equip terrorists with too much information);
• Information on where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency (people generally do not understand bioterrorism and equate it with an emergency such as an explosion);
• That in an emergency, all residents would be treated equally (this was a particular concern for minorities and the uninsured)

IN THE EVENT OF A BIOTERRORIST EMERGENCY, RI RESIDENTS WANT TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WITH…

• Credibility 
• Expertise 
• Track record 
• Familiarity 
• Appearance of not reading from a script

RESIDENTS WANT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF…

• BEFORE AN EMERGENCY: Print with a phone number and website to go to for additional information AND specified channels to turn to in the event of an emergency
• DURING AND AFTER AN EMERGENCY: Television and radio (all stations with coordinated messages delivered by people they trust)

DURING PREVIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES (E.G., ANTHRAX SCARES; WEST NILE VIRUS), RESIDENTS FELT THAT INFORMATION WAS…

• Released before its accuracy was verified
• Inconsistent (different media were reporting different facts)