A Community-Aligned Action Plan for Effective Communication of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Risks
Project by Professor Cesunica Ivey
Professor Cesunica Ivey has been working to develop a community-aligned action plan for effective communication of wildland fire smoke exposure risks for a public-facing sustainability/resiliency guidance document. The project aims to provide residents in a community with information on the health effects of exposure to wildland fire smoke, as well as strategies for protecting themselves from these risks.
Their research has focused on understanding the factors that influence the communication of wildland fire smoke exposure risks, including demographic and cultural factors, as well as the role of social media in disseminating information. The team has conducted interviews and surveys with residents in the community to understand their knowledge and attitudes towards wildland fire smoke exposure risks and to identify strategies for effective communication.
One key preliminary finding from their research is that Bay Area residents in the community have gained a better understanding of the impact of day-to-day activities and indoor mitigation infrastructure on air pollution exposure, as a result of personal monitoring. This suggests that effective communication of wildland fire smoke exposure risks will require targeted messaging that personalizes their exposure and health risks.
Professor Ivey’s work has important implications for personal protections against the health effects of wildland fire smoke exposure, particularly in communities that are at high risk of being impacted by these events. By providing residents with accurate and up-to-date information on the risks associated with wildland fire smoke, the action plan will help to promote effective coping strategies and reduce the impact of wildland fires on public health.
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