Section 2 Preparedness

**11**

**1. Introduction**

**Chapter 2**

**Abstract**

Phone Apps

The IDEA Model as a Conceptual

Earthquake Early Warning (EEW)

Messages Distributed via Mobile

*Deanna D. Sellnow, Lucile M. Jones, Timothy L. Sellnow,* 

Short response time available in the event of a major earthquake poses unique challenges for earthquake early warning (EEW). Mobile phone apps may be one way to deliver such messages effectively. In this two-phase study, several hundred participants were first randomly assigned to one of eight experimental conditions. Results of phase one afforded researchers the ability to reduce the number of conditions to four. Phase two consisted of five experimental conditions. In each condition, a 10 second EEW was delivered via a phone app. The four treatment conditions were designed according to elements of the IDEA model. The control condition was based on the actual ShakeAlert EEW computer program message being used by emergency managers across the US west coast at the time. Results of this experiment revealed that EEW messages designed according to the IDEA model were more effective in producing desired learning outcomes than the ShakeAlert control message. Thus, the IDEA model may provide an effective content frame-

*Patric Spence, Derek R. Lane and Nigel Haarstad*

work for those choosing to develop such apps for EEW.

**Keywords:** IDEA model, risk communication, crisis communication, disaster warnings, earthquake early warning, communication and technology

accessible earthquake early warning messages via a mobile phone app.

Effective earthquake early warning messages can empower target populations to take appropriate actions for self-protection and, ultimately, save lives. The communication challenges facing those who wish to design warning messages involve both content and access. Content focuses on gaining attention and providing appropriate instructions for self-protection. Access depends on sending the messages through a channel or channels and a medium or media that can be retrieved quickly and easily. A team of researchers completed a project designed to develop such content and access. The project was based on previous warning message testing research. Specifically, researchers attempted to apply the IDEA model to create brief, easily

Framework for Designing

## **Chapter 2**
