Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Effective and Transparent Public Communication During Nuclear Emergencies
Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Effective and Transparent Public Communication During Nuclear Emergencies
Mr. Gordon WhiteChief Communications Officer &Vice-President,Regulatory Affairs Branch, CNSCCo-Chair for the IEM on Enhanced Transparency and Communications Effectiveness
IAEA International Experts Meeting June 19, 2012
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Overview CNSC – Quasi-judicial tribunal Canada’s experience - Response to
Fukushima Lessons learned on public and crisis
communications Strategic challenges
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Canadian Nuclear Safety CommissionRegulates the use of nuclear energy and
materials to protect the health, safety and security of
Canadians and the environment to implement Canada’s international
commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy
Canada’s nuclear watchdog
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Independent Commission Tribunal
Quasi-judicial administrative tribunal Commission members are
independent Commission hearings are public and
Webcast
Public, transparent, science-based decision making
Decisions can only be reviewed by Federal Court
Oversight of full nuclear cycle, imports and exports
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The CNSC’s Response to Fukushima Daiichi
March 11, 2012 – EOC activated within hours
Tokyo
1:46 a.m. (EDT)Mag. 9 earthquake
Strikes Japan10:30 a.m. (EDT)First message sent
to CNSC staff
5 p.m. (EDT)Staff mobilized forEOC staffing 24/7
10:00 a.m. (EDT)Decision to activate
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
3:00 p.m. (EDT)First public
statement issued
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CNSC Key Priority –Get The Messages OutExternal communication to the public began March
11, 2011 Information updates issued daily as event developed from March 12
through April 1, then weekly or as significant developments occurred
Daily coordination with other government departments
Immediate creation of Fukushima Web page
Response to media requests for information
Internal communication with staff Daily messages to staff from March 11 to 28
Articles in bi-weekly newsletter
Three weekly wrap-up emails from PresidentRegular communications are critical
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Multiple Information Sources / Multiple Communicators
Clarity in messaging? It gets complicated…
Japanese Agencies
Tokyo Electric Power Company
Japan Atomic and Industrial Forum
Nuclear and IndustrialSafety Agency
Government of Canada
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Other government agencies(Public Safety Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Privy Council Office, Prime Minister’s Office)
International Agencies
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Other regulators – e.g., US, France, UK
Sources of valid, credible
information are key!
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The CNSC – Canada’s Sole Nuclear Regulator & Reliable Source of Information Adapted quickly to provide resources to respond to
the situation• Staff dedicated to respond
• Expedited approval processes
Constantly monitored evolution of crisis • Respond quickly with “real-time” information
• Plain language
Provided timely and clear information to bolster public confidence• Significant effort to counter perception that information is
being concealed
Public was looking for a single, reliable source
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Fukushima Daiichi – CNSC’s Thorough Review Beginning March 17, 2011 - The CNSC issued order to all
nuclear facilities April 2011 – The CNSC established operational Task Force to
evaluate operational, technical, and regulatory implications (stress test of safety)
August 2012 – Appointment of External Advisory Committee – non-nuclear experts to conduct an independent review of CNSC process
August to March 2012 – Multiple rounds of consultation/hearings on Task Force Report
December 2011 – IRRS follow-up mission completed April 2012 – External Advisory Committee findings report May 2012 – Public hearing to consider CNSC Staff Action Plan
and the report of External Advisory CommitteePrompt action by Canada’s nuclear regulator
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External Advisory Committee Was CNSC’s Stress Test on Regulator’s Process: Concluded that the CNSC acted appropriately in its
response CNSC - too much emphasis on “Web-based” only
communications Requires a more comprehensive “public
communication/education strategy” that takes advantage of:
• social media
• expanded partnerships with science media organizations
Always room for improvement
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Communication Challenge – Clear Consistent Messaging on What the Public Wants to Know
Be prepared – 24/7 Aggressive Media
Will my child have birth defects? Should I wear a dosimeter?
What are the health effects?
What quantity is safe?
When will I get sick?
Can children play outside?Can I breast feed my baby?
How can I protect myself from radiation exposure?
Should I take potassium iodine pills?
Should I evacuate?
Whose adviceshould I follow?
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Communication Challenge: Confusing Scientific Information Radiological quantities and units are confusing!
Bq, Bq/m3, Bq/l, Gy, cpm, Ci, Sv, mSv, µSv etc.
People are not comfortable with pico, micro, milli, mega prefixes
What does all this data have to with whether I can eat the fish, spinach or berries?
Use public friendly language, consistent terminology – expert info for non-experts
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Communication Challenge: Conflicting Advice From Authorities Breeds Mistrust Conflicting information on evacuation Conflicting information on INES levels Information kept changing Setting dose levels – What are the health
impact limits for cesium, iodine, etc. in food, water, air?
Collaboration – one message(share information promptly)
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Communication Challenge: Accurate Information Lacking in Public DomainMedia headlines following TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi
event: Japan's nuke crisis spills into Europe (REUTERS March 14, 2011)
Canadians swamp health hotline over fallout fears (Toronto Star March 19, 2011)
Nuke workers expecting to die (AFP April 1, 2011)
A 35% Spike in Infant Mortality in Northwest Cities Since Meltdown (COUNTERPUNCH June 10, 2011)
14,000 U.S. Deaths Linked to Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown: Infants Hardest Hit (THE PROVINCE January 9, 2012)
Nuclear Expert: Fukushima 10 times worse than Chernobyl (ENE News March 12, 2012)
Need to challenge & correct misinformation ANDestablish relationships with science media bureaus
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Transparency - CNSC Looking Ahead The CNSC is: Enhancing readiness
• crisis site, prepackaged information, building capacity, training spokespersons, etc.)
• set record straight on common misconceptions– mythbusting! Revisiting Web content
• plain language, key messages, and full coverage of key topics
• dedicated “crisis” website Improving communication with stakeholders Revisiting relationships with media science organizations Integrating social media (multi-platforms)
• Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter account
Right Message, Right People, Right Time
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The Strategic ChallengeRemember - nuclear incidents have no borders
Communication and transparency have never been more important
Reporting on nuclear safety needs to be more transparent CNSC has asked the IAEA Secretariat to enhance their annual
reporting on nuclear safety to the Board of Governors – increased transparency• more detailed reporting in IAEA’s annual safety report • major safety lapses/non-compliance with the implementation
of IAEA safety standards need to be raised by Director General IRRS missions – improve public reporting (mandatory) World Association of Nuclear Operators – disclose
non-compliant/non-responding operatorsMaintaining public trust in nuclear safety - our
priority
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3rd International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems Canada is pleased to host the upcoming IAEA
3rd International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems organized by the IAEA• Ottawa, Canada, April 8-12, 2013
Senior nuclear regulators to review issues important to the global nuclear regulatory community • Will assess improvements to the effectiveness of
regulatory systems based on lessons learned from Fukushima Daiichi
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We Will Never Compromise Safety
nuclearsafety.gc.ca
Thank You
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