EMERGING FROM THE ASHES: AN EVALUATION OF THE POSTCRISIS COMMUNICATION FOLLOWING THE 2008 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY COAL ASH SPILL

This dissertation uses a case study approach assess the postcrisis communication between the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Roane County community following the 2008 coal ash spill. More specifically, the researcher explores the relationship between organizational renewal and community involvement by means of an in-depth case study analysis. The dataset includes transcripts from interviews with Tennessee Valley Authority leaders, as well as neighboring community members, all of whom were involved in the postcrisis recovery. Supporting data was collected from archival records made available to the public online and dedicated specifically to the Roane County project. The results, implications for practitioners, and future research are discussed. The major findings of this case study offer insight into the ways in which the discourse of renewal can be expanded to incorporate elements of community involvement, thus working toward a collaborative approach to the renewal framework

Session 2A: \u3cem\u3eDeveloping Post-Incident Risk Communication Guidelines for Intentional Water Contamination Events\u3c/em\u3e

This panel will discuss a US EPA-funded research project intended to improve risk communication for post-incident decontamination and clearance activities associated with intentional contamination of a water system. The study incorporates two complementary methods conducted in successive phases. The recently-completed first phase included robust case study analyses of risk communication related to recent and significant contamination incidents. The second phase, which is currently underway, will identify ways in which disparate stakeholder groups in a metropolitan area differentially perceive risk and subsequent risk communication efforts

Revisiting the Best Practices in Risk and Crisis Communication: A Multicase Analysis

This study extends the research on best practices in risk and crisis communication by synthesizing the contributions from research thus far and assessing the applicability of the best practices framework in a multi-case analysis. Specifically, we summarize the research on best practices in risk and crisis communication over the last decade and analyze five environmental contamination crises through government documents, media accounts, and in-depth interviews to identify communication challenges and ethical imperatives that necessitate modifications to the original list and descriptions. We conclude with an updated framework of best practices in risk and crisis communication