The Post-Alert Lexicon: A Multiphased Study to Develop Content for Post-Alert Messages

Authors

Jeannette Sutton, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Hugh D. Walpole, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Micki Olson, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Lauren B. Cain, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Savanah Olivas, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Bruce Pollock, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Nicholas Waugh, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Using a multi-phased, mixed methods approach, grounded in theory on alerts and warnings, the Post-Alert Lexicon serves as a companion to the Warning Lexicon to provide evidence-based guidance on how to construct a post-alert message for 45 hazards and missing person events. We draw from the results of quantitative content analyses of a census of post-alert messages issued as Wireless Emergency Alerts from 2012-2022, and public message testing experiments for three hazard types (wildfire, earthquake, and bomb threat), to find that a focus on hazard resolution and public action, rather than the commonly employed language of “all clear,” increases message understanding, personalization, and decision making, and positively affects public trust in the message sender. The Post-Alert Lexicon incorporates the language used by alerting authorities into consistent and simplified word-sets used to convey hazard resolution and provide new safety instructions. Lexicon contents were reviewed by subject matter experts and developed into message templates that provide the contents necessary to relay that a hazardous situation has been resolved, and that people may conclude, resume, or return to their former activities. The template workflow for each post-alert message offers editable content to design consistent, behavioral-driven messages with a focus on resolution and action (i.e., information that is usable by message receivers). By using the Post Alert Lexicon, public safety communicators can help to reduce the uncertainty that comes with an initial alert and close the communication loop, thereby increasing organizational credibility and transparency.

Comments

This is the Author's Accepted Manuscript. The version of record can be found here: Sutton, J., Walpole, H., Olson, M., Cain, L.B., Olivas, S., Pollock, B., Waugh N. (in press). The Post-Alert Lexicon: A multiphase study to develop content for post-alert messages. Natural Hazards Review.

Recommended Citation

Sutton, Jeannette; Walpole, Hugh D.; Olson, Micki; Cain, Lauren B.; Olivas, Savanah; Pollock, Bruce; and Waugh, Nicholas, "The Post-Alert Lexicon: A Multiphased Study to Develop Content for Post-Alert Messages" (2025). Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity Faculty Scholarship. 21.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/ehc_fac_scholar/21