Page 104 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

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7-0
PUBLIC EDUCATION
7-1 KNOW THE AUDIENCE AND THEIR NEEDS
PRACTICE STATEMENT: An effective damage prevention education program
includes identification of target audiences and their individual needs. The target
audience must be identified in order to effectively educate about damage
prevention and influence damage prevention habits. It is necessary to establish
the training needs of the audience and to tailor a communications package to
those training needs.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The fundamental reason for conducting education
and public awareness campaigns is to change behaviour.
An extensive and diverse group of individuals and organizations stand to benefit
from damage prevention training. It then becomes necessary to identify who
needs to receive the training and awareness information. The following steps
may prove useful in determining that need:
Ÿ Examine the major problem areas
Ÿ Determine if there are any historical trends in damage related information
Ÿ Categorize incidents by (1) frequency of occurrence, and (2) severity of
occurrence, and
Ÿ Rank and prioritize incidents to identify which target audience needs to
receive training
Setting a goal that depicts the outcome of the training as part of developing the
training information can be beneficial. Consider the following tips:
Ÿ Clearly outline and define the problem areas. Identify any components,
directly or indirectly, that have not been working satisfactorily.
Ÿ Establish what is needed to prevent further problems. For example, what
roles, responsibilities, or behaviours need to be changed?
Ÿ Decide on which new behaviours need to come into effect. What must take
place in order to correct or change the current problem situation?
Ÿ Ensure to identify and reinforce the mutual benefits of a behaviour change.
Best Practices Version 3.0