Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management · 2000 · 91 citations · 0 references
NursingEmergency PreparednessUrban PlanningCommunity DevelopmentDisaster PreparednessEmergency ManagementCommunity PreparednessEmergency Preparedness EducationHousehold PreparednessNatural Disaster PreparednessNatural HazardsPublic EducationCommunity Emergency PlanningCommunity-based Disaster PreparednessDisaster LiteracyDisaster Risk AwarenessNatural Hazard MitigationReadiness For Disaster PreparednessSchool-based Disaster EducationVulnerability
During a hazard event, individuals and communities are often isolated from the support and intervention of emergency service providers. Household and school‐based studies have shown inadequate levels of awareness and preparedness for predictable and regularly occurring hazards like floods and tropical cyclones. Post‐disaster studies have demonstrated both a lack of preparedness and the extent to which people are surprised by the ferocity or extent of the hazard. These research findings underscore the importance of providing specific and targeted education to enhance community capability to withstand a natural hazard with minimal harm and loss of property. At the same time, efforts must be enhanced to mitigate against disaster through better planning of urban development.