DVIDS – News – NAVFAC EURAFCENT leads a workshop on risk communication

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe Central Africa (EURAFCENT) co-hosted the Navy and Marine Corps Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC) as well as Navy Medicine aboard the Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy, for a three-day workshop on November 6-8, 2023.
The workshop focused on risk communication and media strategies related to public health issues while improving communication planning for crisis and non-crisis situations.
“It is crucial to educate individuals early in their careers to avoid miscommunication on environmental and public health issues,” said Paul Gillooly, Ph.D., risk assessor and communications expert at NMCFHPC. He highlighted the need to bridge the gap in understanding between scientists and non-scientists, particularly regarding health issues, and to facilitate intelligent discussions about risks, measures taken and their impact on health in the short and long term. long-term.
NAVFAC EURAFCENT’s environmental division provides environmental management and technical support, ensuring compliance, planning, management and an integrated land-based electric vehicle program in Europe, Africa and Central Europe.
The training was coordinated to help build a network of subject matter experts to prepare to speak about potential environmental and health concerns that may arise.
“Risk communication is frequently used in the drinking water program, such as public notifications and annual consumer confidence reports, to address customer concerns,” said Lindsay Nehm, environmental program manager at drinking water from NAVFAC EURAFCENT. “For us here at EURAFCENT, we want to effectively inform people if they have been exposed to a contaminant, what is their risk, how does it affect their health and that of their family.”
Risk communicators must understand how individuals perceive and evaluate risks, enabling effective communication both in one-on-one interactions and in written messages aimed at a broader audience of stakeholders.
“We run the risk of escalating rather than defusing a health risk problem,” Gillooly said. “You can be an expert on this, but you better also communicate it to different venues and with different groups to include the media; that’s why this training is important.
Being stationed or deployed overseas poses challenges due to differences in guidelines, environmental rules and commanders’ policies for on- and off-installation living situations and interactions with host nations.
“It’s more complex and demanding work overseas, and we understand and recognize that,” Gillooly said. “We bring these discussions here, addressing how to deal with differences that are not typically encountered in your home country. We have examples and experiences to share.”
Although the training was initially designed for public health professionals, Nehm said his office shares many responsibilities in these programs. “Training together side by side, even if they are funded by Navy Medicine, is essential,” she said. “It makes sense, benefits both parties, and enhances our collective training experience, thereby improving our capabilities and communication in the future.”
Gillooly said his team provided participants with additional tools in their toolbox to help them better prepare. “Highlighting your scientific expertise through effective communication greatly increases your value to your command and organization,” Gillooly said. “Being able to speak confidently about scientific topics is a valuable skill, as few individuals possess both the expertise and willingness to speak publicly.”
The NMCFHPC is the public health service center for the Navy and Marine Corps, providing leadership and expertise to ensure mission readiness through disease prevention and health promotion in support of the national military strategy.

About Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe Central Africa
NAVFAC EURAFCENT manages the planning and design of facility projects, including all acquisition, construction, leasing, environmental, maintenance and emergency services required by Navy and Department of Defense commands. Defense, where the Navy is designated as the principal agent in Europe, Southwest Asia and the Gulf of Guinea, Africa and the Horn of Africa. Subordinate Departments of Public Works in Bahrain; Devesulu, Romania; Djibouti; Naples, Italy; Redzikowo, Poland; Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy; Souda Bay, Greece, provides installation support service for every installation throughout the area of ​​responsibility and employs approximately 1,200 military personnel, government civilians, local nationals and contractors.