Welcome to Risk Communicator Training for Food Defense Preparedness, Response & Recovery The National Center for Food Protection and Defense in cooperation with the International Food Information Council is pleased to provide the Risk Communicator Training, a collection of online training resources focusing on the concepts and skills necessary for effective risk communication strategies before, during and following an intentional attack on the food system. The curriculum was developed by the Risk Communication Project at the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD). NCFPD is a Department of Homeland Security Center for Excellence located at the University of Minnesota. Established in 2004, the Center strives to advance the security and safety of the nation's food supply through research, education and outreach. The International Food Information Council has partnered with the NCFPD Risk Communication Project to make these training materials available to food system professionals.
Risk Communication Training Modules and Resource Materials
Intended Audience
The training resources are intended for training leaders, communicators and experts from the food system including:
- Government agency officials, spokespersons, communication staff
- Food system industries and associations
- Extension specialists
- Subject matter experts, scientists, researchers
- Public health and health care staff
Core Contents
The Risk Communicator training has been designed to be presented in 10 instructional hours or two days. The curriculum may be adapted, abridged or expanded depending on the needs of the learners. The content is organized into 5 instructional modules:
Module 1: An Introduction to Risk Communication
Module 2: Food Defense and the Psychology of Terrorism
Module 3: Message Development and Delivery
Module 4: Preparedness and Planning
Module 5: Media Relations
Training Components:
Instructional materials provided include:
1. Trainers Guide:
- Learner outcomes
- Content outline with suggested discussion questions, activities, readings
- Glossary of terms
- Suggested readings and resources
- Content contributors and reviewers
2. PowerPoint Slide Sets
3. Participant Handouts and Exercises
4. Food Defense Scenarios (TBD)
5. Risk Communication Preparedness Guide: Framework for developing a risk communication preparedness plan for your organization (Module 4)
Additional resource materials developed by project collaborations will posted in section following Module 5. Included in this section is a "Message Clipping File" that contains message excerpts taken from real-life food and public health risk events.
The Training Modules and Additional Instructional Resources sections will be updated quarterly.
For feedback and comments concerning the training content and materials contact:
Email: ncfpd.umn.edu
Tel: 612/624-2614
Fax: 612/624-2157
National Center for Food Protection & Defense
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus
925 Delaware St. SE, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.ncfpd.umn.edu
NCFPD Risk Communication Project Team
Team Co-leaders:
- William Hueston
University of Minnesota - Timothy Sellnow
North Dakota State University
Team Members:
- William Benoit
University of Missouri - Kristina Boone
Kansas State University - Lisa Brienzo
University of Minnesota - Cory Bryant
Institute of Food Technologists - Paul DeVito
Saint Joseph’s University - Anthony Flood
International Food Information Council - Robert Gravani
Cornell University - Donald Klingborg
University of California-Davis - Maria Lapinski
Michigan State University - Robert Littlefield
North Dakota State University - Robyn Mace
Michigan State University - Dale Moore
University of California-Davis - Julie Novak
Wayne State University - David Ropeik
Consultant - Peter Sandman
Consultant - Donald Schaffner
Rutgers University - Matthew Seeger
Wayne State University - Thomas Tavantzis
Saint Joseph’s University - Robert Ulmer
University Arkansas-Little Rock - Steven Venette
University of Southern Mississippi
