PAG Public Communication Resources

During a radiological or nuclear emergency, clear and consistent messaging is important. The federal government has created several pre-scripted, focus-group tested messages to help emergency response departments, agencies, and individuals communicate radiation information and public safety measures with affected populations.

The tools (or documents) on this page complement one another, and are consistent in phrasing and word-choice. Public Information Officers (PIOs) and emergency response professionals should familiarize themselves with these documents and videos to better serve the public during any radiological or nuclear emergency.

On this page:

• Protective Action Guide (PAG) Manual Companion Documents
  • Protective Action Area Map Templates
  • Protective Action Questions and Answers for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies
• Communicating Radiation Risks
• Communication Resources from Other Agencies
• Audience Research

Protective Action Guide (PAG) Manual Companion Documents

These companion documents to the EPA’s Protective Action Guide (PAG) Manual will help emergency responders prepare public communication materials prior to and during a radiological emergency. These communication materials are based on the safety measures in the PAG Manual, and are designed to be used in all types of radiological emergencies. Links to the PDF documents listed below can be found at the bottom of the page.

Protective Action Area Map Templates

Protective Action Area Map Templates (WORD) (docx) (15.26 MB, September 2017, EPA-420/K-17/003)

Templates for state, local, and tribal governments that need to provide evacuation, go inside, food, and/or drinking water guidance quickly to a population in a specific geographical area.

---

Protective Action Questions & Answers for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies: A companion document to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Protection Action Guide (PAG) Manual

Protective Action Questions & Answers for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies: A companion document to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Protection Action Guide (PAG) Manual (pdf) (12.21 MB, September 2023, EPA-402/F-23/001)
Pre-scripted radiation emergency public safety messages intended to help emergency planners prepare public communications prior to and during a radiological emergency.

---

Communicating Radiation Risks: Crisis Communications for Emergency Responders

Communicating Radiation Risks: Crisis Communications for Emergency Responders (pdf) (2.5 MB, September 2023, EPA-402-K-23-001)

Guidance on communications techniques based on proven risk and crisis communication strategies as well as radiological scenarios and messages for use in radiological emergencies.