Facilitation of Risk Communication During the Anthrax Attacks of 2001 The Organizational Backstory

This article provides lessons learned in risk communication by New Jersey-based hospital, public health, and emergency management responders during the 2001 anthrax attacks. The authors identified interorganizational relationships, organizational culture, and differences in medical and scientific interpretation as attributing to communication challenges faced by responders. The article concludes by reinforcing the importance of command and control while highlighting the need for additional research on organizational culture and the impact it has on risk communication.