Do broadcast meteorologists have a role during a radiological or nuclear public health emergency?

The Radiation Studies Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively involved in helping the public health community and the general public prepare to respond appropriately to an unintentional release of radioactive material to the environment. Such a release could happen in many ways, including a terrorist attack involving an explosive radiological dispersal device, i.e., a “dirty bomb,” or an improvised nuclear device. The timely and accurate delivery of information to first responders and the public can significantly reduce the potential morbidity and mortality from such an event. As a result, CDC has not only prepared a wide variety of information material and placed it on CDC's website, www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation, but initiated several related endeavors.

In 2002 and 2003, CDC undertook a project in cooperation with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) to research and develop pre-event messages that could be used in the event of a radiological or nuclear terrorist attack. This research confirmed that the American public, first responders, clinicians, and others will want to know what to do to protect themselves and their family. In addition, they will want to know where they can go to get the information they need.

The ASPH's research also indicated that the American public might very well look to their local broadcast meteorologist for help and direction in the event of a terrorist attack involving radiation, much as they currently do for natural disasters (such as tornados and hurricanes). The public indicated they are familiar with their local broadcast meteorologist and they trust the information they receive from this source.

In 2004, CDC followed up on this research by inviting a number of broadcast meteorologists from the Atlanta area to a roundtable for further discussion. The roundtable participants recognized that in an event involving radiation, state, local, and federal agencies, including CDC, would be able to supply basic technical information. These agencies, however, will need the assistance of other professionals in disseminating the information to appropriate audiences, especially the public. Participants at the roundtable agreed that broadcast meteorologists are currently supplying public health information regarding pollen counts, air quality, hypothermia, heat stroke, and other weather and health related issues, but additional information will be needed if broadcast meteorologists are going to be effective communicators in the event of a radiological or nuclear disaster.

Our goal is to create a partnership with broadcast meteorologists to develop public health messages and training materials that will allow broadcast meteorologists to provide life-saving information to the public during a public health emergency involving the release of radioactive materials. We believe that such a partnership can greatly benefit the public health of the community should a terrorist attack involving radioactive materials ever take place.