Message canceled, orders lifted: An examination of post-alert messages sent as wireless emergency alerts

Abstract

Post-alert messages are, ideally, notifications that alert individuals that a threat has passed or ended, and the initial protective actions can conclude. Not all post-alert messages communicate these elements, leaving message receivers who have evacuated, sheltered in place, or been on heightened awareness to search for more information before concluding their safety-related behaviors. The contents included in such messages has not yet been quantified or assessed for the language used that may affect effective communication to persons previously at risk. To remedy this, we conducted quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 471 post-alert messages issued via the U.S. Wireless Emergency Alert system from June 2012–April 2022. We assess every post-alert message for its inclusion of contents that follow the recommendations found in the Warning Response Model (i.e., source, hazard, location, guidance, time) and code each message to identify the terminology used by risk communicators to communicate the end of a hazardous event. We find that most post-alert messages are incomplete, routinely lacking content about the message source, the event time, and recommended protective actions. We also find that terminology includes words that are resolution-focused, action-focused, and message-focused. The first two are likely to reduce message receiver uncertainty; the third, which focuses on the message (such as ending the “orders” contained in a message) uses statutory language and jargon to convey technical information. Future research is necessary to determine the effects of these contents on message receiver uncertainty reduction and other factors, such as organizational reputation, trust, and credibility.