Bioterrorism and Local Agency Preparedness: Results from an Experimental Study in Risk Communication

Abstract

Abstract This article examines data collected from a panel of 43 local, state, and Federal emergency response professionals and public officials in Pueblo, Colorado who participated in a 6-month risk communication experiment simulating the remediation of simultaneous bioterrorist attacks involving anthrax and Foot and Mouth Disease. Participant responses to the scenario presented in real-time indicated that local and state government agency personnel with responsibility for public health emergency management are not necessarily familiar with best practices developed from major incidents. Findings also indicate that information related to bioterrorism response should be provided to agencies that do not normally work in public health but that would be involved in responding to a biological agent event.