A Survey onEmergency Preparedness of

EU citizens

Dr. Avgoustinos FilippoupolitisProf. Lachlan MacKinnon

Prof. Liz Bacon

Overview

• Analysis of results of an emergency preparedness survey conducted as part of the POP-ALERT project

• The project aims to have a positive impact on the preparedness of the population and their first reactions

• This would facilitate the work of first-responders prior to their arrival onsite

• Key participating actors:• Authorities• First responders• Population

Information Flow• Information needs to

flow among all three actors:

• the effectiveness of the work coming from above (authorities, first-responders) depends on the preparedness of the actors directly affected by the situation (population)

• the preparedness of the population depends on the information and training given by the authorities and the first-responders

Research Goal

• Investigate individual behaviour in terms of preparedness and first reaction• preparatory activities such as CPR and First aid training• reasons for delaying evacuation after a disaster• locations to gather in after a disaster event• preparations while away from home

• Assess populations’ perception of risks related to disasters• residence location• likelihood and impact of disaster events• familiarity with emergency provisions

Survey Method

• On-line questionnaire• Cloud based• Enhanced collaboration among project partners• Improved data management and storage

• Closed questions• predefined number of answers• reduces the time needed to process the answers• “Other” text-box also available

Survey Participation

● 1612 participants in totalo 610 Englisho 483 Frencho 62 Dutcho 88 Greeko 145 Germano 224 Portuguese

● Survey will remain online until the end of the project

Quantitative Survey Results

● Selected a representative set of questions from the on-line questionnaire

● Highlighted observations in result tables

● Colour code● Most popular answer● Answer indicates potential problem

Is your residence is located in an area where the following may occur?

English French Dutch Greek German PortugueseEarthquakes 7% 18% 0% 69% 10% 88%Floods 35% 32% 16% 55% 34% 37%Landslides 3% 8% 0% 8% 10% 16%Forest Fires 5% 7% 2% 58% 5% 12%Strong wind speed and gusts

41% 32% 11% 55% 32% 71%

Industrial major accidents

18% 24% 11% 15% 9% 11%

None of the above 37% 30% 69% 1% 38% 1%

Which statement best represents yourpreparedness for a disaster?

English French Dutch Greek German Portuguese

I do not intend to prepare

26% 4% 16% 17% 35% 3%

I intend to prepare

41% 33% 42% 61% 22% 53%

I just started preparing

8% 32% 22% 6% 34% 26%

I am prepared 24% 29% 20% 15% 8% 16%

Have you considered preparing for a disaster occurring while…

English French Dutch Greek German Portuguese

On a business trip 21% 34% 11% 18% 16% 18%

On holiday 47% 57% 35% 33% 27% 41%

Using public transport

40% 33% 25% 37% 21% 34%

None of the above 39% 29% 60% 44% 56% 39%

Capability for first reaction and participation in emergency response

English French Dutch Greek German PortugueseCPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training

49% 52% 60% 32% 39% 29%

First aid training 66% 75% 71% 31% 80% 41%

Discussed preparedness issues with community members

24% 46% 20% 21% 18% 24%

Attended meetings to learn how to prepare for a disaster

24% 43% 20% 12% 28% 36%

None of the above 25% 13% 20% 48% 16% 38%

Would you consider delaying evacuation for any of the following reasons?

English French Dutch Greek German PortugueseEvacuate my pet(s) 34% 26% 29% 10% 16% 27%Gather my personal belongings

34% 31% 16% 12% 50% 14%

Gain clarity in the unfolding event

47% 30% 53% 30% 58% 31%

Wait for directions from emergency management agencies

41% 58% 56% 15% 47% 42%

Personal mobility issues 5% 7% 13% 4% 3% 18%Care for relative 42% 34% 44% 51% 73% 56%I would not delay evacuating

17% 20% 27% 36% 13% 24%

I would not evacuate 2% 1% 2% 0% 2% 0%

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, where would you consider gathering?

English French Dutch Greek German Portuguese

Friend's or relative's house

54% 55% 55% 20% 39% 26%

Local emergency services

42% 34% 49% 30% 49% 57%

Local church 31% 11% 16% 13% 6% 16%

Open space 45% 32% 40% 83% 38% 75%

Local cafe or public house

24% 20% 27% 1% 8% 4%

Shopping centre 12% 11% 7% 1% 4% 2%

I would not consider gathering

8% 10% 4% 5% 8% 2%

Do you believe the following could improve your preparedness?

English French Dutch Greek German PortugueseSocial networking service (e.g. twitter, facebook)

60.4% 49.2% 82.5% 55.7% 39% 49%

Smartphone application

64.6% 59.1% 76.2% 69.8% 45% 51%

Online information service

74.6% 58.9% 74.6% 71.7% 65% 73%

Emergency planning guide provided by local authorities

76.6% 78.9% 77.8% 79.2% 60% 83%

None of the above 4.8% 2.7% 4.8% 1.9% 8% 2%

Conclusions and Future Work• National differences are a significant factor affecting individual

preparedness:• The majority of the population are unprepared• A significant proportion lacks willingness to prepare• The capability for first reaction and participation in emergency

response is high• The main reason behind the low preparedness level is lack of

knowledge• Areas of future research include:

– Additional surveys targeted to emergency services professionals and to school teachers

– Targeted dissemination of surveys to adult participants with• no formal education • care and mobility issues

Questions?

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey

https://goo.gl/scn6ro