Igniting Risk Communication? – Organizational factors for effective risk communication: Forest fire risk communication in Canton Bern, Switzerland

Sammanfattning: Risk communication forms an integral part of disaster preparedness. In light of the increasing likelihood and intensity of forest fires, areas like Canton Bern in Switzerland, not usually known as a forest fire hotspot, have planned to strengthen their risk communication efforts to help increase overall preparedness and mitigation. Using the example of forest fires, this paper will shed light on the actors that organizations dealing with risk communication could fulfill in order to make such communication possible in the first place. The theoretical and conceptual basis for the general research work was established through communication models by Shannon and Weaver (1949) and the Convergence Model by Kincaid (1979). A scoping study will summarize existing findings in the literature on organizational factors for risk communication. Following, qualitative semi structured interviews with risk communication practitioners from Canton Bern were used to discuss the requirements for risk communication proposed by the scientific literature and the requirements and factors necessary in practice. Findings of this data collection and discussion include a strong overlap in the importance of inter- and intra-organizational cooperation. Differences encompass the creation and implementation of a comprehensive risk communication strategy and ideas and concepts of how to include the public in risk communication endeavors.