Place Attachment and Disaster Preparedness: Examining the Role of Place Scale and Preparedness Type

Research shows that place attachment is associated with disaster preparedness. In two studies we examined (1) participants’ place attachment at different spatial scales, (2) participants’ preparedness (intentions and behaviors), and (3) place attachment as a mediator of previously identified demographic predictors of preparedness. Our findings show that place attachment is associated with both preparedness intentions and behavior. When controlling for socio-demographic predictors, participants who reported stronger house and neighborhood attachment also reported stronger intentions to prepare (Study 1). In Study 2, house attachment was associated with mitigative preparedness behavior, whereas neighborhood attachment was associated with community preparedness behavior. House and neighborhood attachment mediated the relationship between home ownership, length of residence, and preparedness. These findings suggest that place attachment varies by spatial scale which matters for different types of disaster preparedness. House and neighborhood attachment should be considered as relevant predictors of mitigative and community preparedness in at-risk communities.

Community preparedness for volcanic hazards at Mount Rainier, USA

Lahars pose a significant risk to communities, particularly those living near snow-capped volcanoes. Flows of mud and debris, typically but not necessarily triggered by volcanic activity, can have huge impacts, such as those seen at Nevado Del Ruiz, Colombia, in 1985 which led to the loss of over 23,000 lives and destroyed an entire town. We surveyed communities around Mount Rainier, Washington, United States, where over 150,000 people are at risk from lahar impacts. We explored how factors including demographics, social effects such as perceptions of community preparedness, evacuation drills, and cognitive factors such as risk perception and self-efficacy relate to preparedness when living within or nearby a volcanic hazard zone. Key findings include: women have stronger intentions to prepare but see themselves as less prepared than men; those who neither live nor work in a lahar hazard zone were more likely to have an emergency kit and to see themselves as more prepared; those who will need help to evacuate see the risk as lower but feel less prepared; those who think their community and officials are more prepared feel more prepared themselves; and benefits of evacuation drills and testing evacuation routes including stronger intentions to evacuate using an encouraged method and higher self-efficacy. We make a number of recommendations based on these findings including the critical practice of regular evacuation drills and the importance of ongoing messaging that focuses on appropriate ways to evacuate as well as the careful recommendation for residents to identify alternative unofficial evacuation routes.

COMPOUND DRY-HOT EXTREME EVENTS IMPROVING INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

The frequency of simultaneous or consecutive heatwaves, droughts and wildfires is increasing. Compound dry-hot extreme events, defined as a mix of concurrent or sequential occurrence of heatwaves, droughts and fires, contribute to risks and impacts to both society and the environment. Compound dry-hot extreme events already pose serious impacts on human health and well-being, and these impacts are expected to increase in the future. The purpose of this report is to discuss the need for improved individual and community preparedness and response to compound dry-hot extreme events, and to highlight the benefits such improvements would bring. In particular, the development and implementation of compound dry-hot extreme events action plans is essential for reducing the adverse health effects of current and future compound dry-hot extreme events.

Community Preparedness of the Fire Hazard in Jetis District, Yogyakarta City

This study aims: (1) to determine the level of community preparedness in facing fire hazards in the Jetis District of Yogyakarta City and (2) to understand the efforts to increase community preparedness to deal with fire hazards in the Jetis District of Yogyakarta City. This research uses descriptive methods with quantitative and qualitative approaches. In this research, we utilize the environmental approach as a tool. The indicator that we use here is based on the 2006 UNESCO / ISDR LIPI to measure the level of community preparedness. This research was conducted at Jetis District of The City of Yogyakarta. The population of this study was all family heads in Jetis Subdistrict, at least we came to 9282 families. The number of samples was determined using the Slovin formula and obtained 99 respondents. We chose the Proportional Random Sampling in three villages in Jetis Subdistrict as the sampling technic. The data was gained from the process of observations, structured interviews with standardized guidelines, in-depth interviews with three main resource persons, and documentation. The analysis technique that we used is the frequency table and descriptive analysis. The results show that: (1) the level of community preparedness in the Jetis Subdistrict in facing the danger of fire was in the "Less Ready" category (55.56%). The level of community preparedness on the knowledge and attitudes of the majority was in the category of “Ready” with 63.63%. The majority of emergency plan variables are in the unprepared category as much as 56.57%. The majority of disaster warning system variables are in the ready category that is 56.57%. Resource mobilization ability is a variable with respondents who are at the lowest level of preparedness, the majority are in the category of not ready as much as 76.77%. (2) the efforts to increase fire hazard preparedness in the community in Jetis District have been carried out, namely: conducting training and simulation of fire prevention, procurement of supporting facilities for fire prevention, making fire engines, and establishing disaster relief posts in Jetis District. Efforts that must be increased are: educating the public about the risks of fire hazards, increasing synergy between community organizations and local governments, and adding firefighting infrastructure.

Community Preparedness for Tsunami Hazard in Galur District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta

Kulon Progo Regency is a tsunami-prone area, including on the coast of the Galur District, because it coordinates with the Indian Ocean, the meeting point for two active tectonic plates. This study aims to see: (1) the level of community preparedness in facing the tsunami hazard in Galur District, and (2) the community's efforts to improve preparedness to face the tsunami hazard in Galur District. This research is a quantitative descriptive. The population in this study are all head of family in the three villages, which are Karang Sewu Village, Banaran Village, and Kranggan Village, totaling 4483 head of family. The sample in this study is calculated using the Slovin formula with an error rate of 10% resulting in a total sample of 98 head of family. The sampling technique used is proportional random sampling. Data collection is carried out by observation, interviews, and documentation. The collected data is then presented in a frequency distribution table. The data analysis used in this research is quantitative and qualitative descriptive. The results showed: (1) the level of community preparedness in Galur District to face a tsunami hazard was in the "ready" category (53.1%). Meanwhile, the category for the parameter of preparedness, namely parameter of disaster knowledge, was in the "ready" category (46.9%). The emergency response plan parameter was in the “full ready” category (40.8%). The early warning system parameter was in the “full ready” category (61.2%). The parameter of the ability to mobilize resources was in the "ready enough" category (34.7%). (2) Efforts that have been made by the community in Galur District in improving preparedness to face tsunami hazards, include: holding outreach and disaster simulations; establishment of the Forum of Disaster Risk Mitigation (FPRB); installation of Early Warning System (EWS) tower; installation of evacuation routes and determination of temporary and final gathering points.

Community Preparedness and Practices for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 (COP-COVID): An assessment from rural northern India

Objectives The study assessed the community preparedness to manage the COVID-19 and access to healthcare services during the lockdown of 2020 in a rural health block of northern India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during June-July, 2020 in 25 villages and five wards of a rural administrative block of Haryana. A pre-tested, semi-structured investigator administered checklist was used to assess the community preparedness and practices for COVID-19 prevention/control and healthcare access through direct observations and interviewing community health workers and beneficiaries. Results Active surveillance for influenza-like illness was carried out in 86.7% of the study units, though the frequency was once a month. There was poor adherence (adherence: 0-3%) to COVID-19 infection prevention & control (IPC) measures such as physical distancing and use of face masks. Rural beneficiaries reported difficulty accessing essential healthcare services than their urban counterparts. Conclusion A qualitative study to understand the facilitators and barriers for the non-adherence to IPCs measures by the study population and formulating behaviour change communication strategies for improving the IPCs is needed. Repeat, cross-sectional surveys at regular intervals may be planned to gauge the change and effect of the interventions on the community preparedness and practices.

Efektivitas Edukasi Menggunakan Media Whatsapp terhadap Kesiapsiagaan Masyarakat Lombok Barat Menghadapi Bencana Tanah Longsor

Landslides as a natural disaster often occur due to the movement of landmasses. Lack of community preparedness in facing disasters is one of the significant risk factors for catastrophe. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of education using WhatsApp on community preparedness to face landslides. This research is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post test design with a control group. The number of samples was 30 people taken by simple random and divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was given educational intervention with WAG media (WhatsApp Group), while the control group was assigned a P2P (Picture to Picture) intervention. Preparedness data in the form of knowledge and attitudes were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. The results showed that statistically, there was no difference in preparedness to face landslides through WAG or P2P. However, there was an increase in readiness through knowledge and attitudes in both groups. Education about landslide preparedness through WAG or P2P has the same effect in increasing public knowledge and perspectives. The information received through WAG or P2P will ultimately influence a person's experience and attitudes regarding landslide disaster preparedness.