Re: TMI 20th Anniversary Event to Feature Federal, State and

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

> But we have no basis to think we would do a better job communicating
> with the public. 

Jim,

I believe that we do in fact communicate better than we did during 
TMI. Except that whatever we say, falls on deaf ears. The fact that 
the public doesn't want to believe us has no correlation in our 
ability to communicate effectively. Effective communication means 
that there is a facilitated effort to make those whom we are 
addressing to understand what we are saying. The fact is, there is 
an understanding, yet they chose not to believe what they have 
been told. Comes down to basic paradigms. And until the 
paradigms change, we might as well be communicating with walls.

One of my accountabilities during emergency exercises was to 
support the Emegency Control Officer at the EOF and ENC, with 
respect to risk assessment communication in the ENC. We all had 
media training, to assist in communicating more effectively. Having 
attended my first exercise in 1975, I saw a significant improvement 
after TMI, up until I left the utility at the end of 1996. I do believe 
that communication is better, not only in situations involving 
radiation and releases of radioactive materials, but in all kinds of 
briefings, such as airline disasters, the current Amtrak accident 
and war coverage. Communication is better. The primary obstacle 
we are faced with, in our industry, is the predominant distrust by 
the public. There are many reasons for that, and some of the blame 
rests with us, and a lot of it is based on other factors.

But as far as communication, I believe that many of us do that very 
well, every day, and especially when dealing with the public. 

------------------------
Sandy Perle
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205

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