Drawing from the earlier suggestion, risk assessment will not achieve its objective nor risk management its potential without a strategic focus on risk communication. This communication will have to be constructed to serve both the long term needs of prioritization ("selling the requirements" when necessity dictates) and in preparing for response and recovery in the face of imminent or near-imminent threat. In light of the latter requirement, we must be able to deliver a message to institutions (public and private) that will have a hand in response and recovery, as well as to the individual citizen. The message must be delivered in a way that will bring an appropriate focus that lifts the populace above complacency, without thrusting them into unnecessary panic. It must, itself, emit an air of legitimacy, l'est it become the next topic of ridicule alongside color-coded transmissions of no discernible import to the population (or perhaps even the institutions that serve them).

Communication is essential in every aspect of homeland security and emergency management. Risk communication, in terms of both means and process, is an essential responsibility of the government. This should be reflected in the Department's vision.