Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Benchmark Survey 2006 Presented by Colmar Brunton.

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Benchmark Survey 2006

Presented by Colmar Brunton

DRAFT

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management is embarking on a communications campaign to increase the level of preparedness of New Zealanders’ for a disaster.

To be able to measure the change in New Zealanders’ preparedness, first the base level needs to be measured.

This presentation outlines the results from the benchmark of the MCDEM Disaster Preparedness research.

Background

This is a benchmark to provide comparisons for future measures.

DRAFTThe benchmark survey was used to measure the attitudes and behaviours of New Zealanders around civil emergencies and create a base platform from which to move forward.

Establishing New Zealander’s actual levels of preparedness compared to their perceived levels of preparedness.

Objectives

This survey is to be followed up with an extensive communications campaign, we will then track changes in New Zealander’s attitudes, knowledge and preparedness over time.

DRAFTObjectives of the benchmarking phase were to measure New Zealander’s attitudes and behaviours around civil emergencies. These included:

– Thoughts on what types of events would occur– What they believe the probability of the events happening are– Who would be affected– What would be the consequences– Who would provide assistance– What sort of assistance would be provided– Levels of preparedness– Where to get information on what to do in a disaster.

Objectives, cont’d

DRAFTSurvey conducted by CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing), amongst a random nationwide residential sampleRespondents defined as those in the household aged 15+, with next birthdaySample size (n=1,001)Fieldwork dates: 20 April to 14 May 200617 minute questionnaire1,001 completed the surveyRegional quotas, fully nationalResults weighted by respondent age, gender and locationResponse rate = 18%

Methodology

Results

DRAFT

Possible disasters in your lifetime

Q1 First I’d like to ask about the types of major disasters that could happen In New Zealand. What types of disasters can you think of that could happen in New Zealand in your lifetime?

Base: All Respondents (n=1,001)

Respondent recognition of earthquake (92%), tsunami (68%) and flood (58%) were high. However 72% of respondents do

not consider hurricanes, cyclones or storms as threats to New Zealand. This is interesting considering Cyclone Bola’s

devastation to the East Coast of the North Island in 1988.

Overall Auckland has low awareness of disasters compared to other regions. Canterbury/West

Coast has high awareness of disasters.Wellington has very high awareness of

earthquakes (99%).

DRAFT

Possible disasters affecting you personally

Q2 How likely do you think it is that there would be a major <Q1>, affecting you personally in your lifetime, where you are currently living now. Do you think it is…

Very Likely Quite Likely Quite Unlikely Very Unlikely Don’t Know Will never happen


Information

DRAFT

Where seen/heard disaster messages or information in last year

Q3 Where have you heard or seen any messages or information on what to do in a disaster in the last year?

NOTE: Statements below 2% not shownBase: All Respondents (n=1,001)

TV

Yellow Pages

Internet

Radio

Local or Community newspapers

Newspapers (not community)

Word of mouth

Unaddressed mail

Brochures/flyers

Have not heard or seen any messages

School

Workplace/newsletter at work

Telephone directory/White Pages

Civil Defence Information/Seminar

Billboards/posters on transport/public building

Other

Internet just 6% at this stage

DRAFT

Finding information before a disaster

Q4a Before a disaster, where can you get information about how to prepare for a disaster?


OtherDon’t know

Yellow PagesMinistry of Civil defence website

Local/Regional CouncilCivil Defence

RadioBrochures/Flyers

PoliceTV

Internet/Web in generalOther website

LibraryFire department/brigade

Google.comNewspaper

Telephone directory/phonebookCitizens Advice Bureau

Schools/UniversitiesInformation Centre

Word of mouthGovernment/Govt CommissionEQC/Earthquake Commission

Health Authorities/Hospital

Only 4 out of 10 people (40%) know to go to the Yellow Pages for information on how to prepare for a disaster before a disaster hit.

And only 3 in 10 people (30%) know to go to the Civil Defence website for information on

how to prepare for the disaster.

DRAFT

Finding information during a disaster

Q4b And during a disaster, where can you get information about what to do in a disaster?


Radio (during emergency)TV

Local/Regional Council

Word of mouthPolice

NewspaperCivil Defence sector post

Telephone directory/phonebook

111/Emergency service

Phones/Cellphones/Mobile PhonesOther website

LibraryCitizens Advice Bureau

Media/newsOther

Don’t know

Yellow PagesMinistry of Civil defence website

Civil Defence

Fire department/brigade

Schools/Universities

Internet/Web in general

0800 numbers/Hotline/Helpline

During a disaster, almost 7 in 10 people (69%) would listen to the Radio as a source

of information.

Attitudes

DRAFT

Attitudes towards disasters

Q5 On a scale of strongly agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree and strongly disagree, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?


Strongly agree Slightly agree Slightly disagree Strongly disagree Don’t Know

Preparedness

DRAFT

Social change takes time, so this is obviously a continuum, from having no knowledge of anything to do with being prepared for a disaster, to having done everything conceivable. Somewhere along that continuum lies a point where we can classify people as ‘being prepared’, that point being where they have made sufficient preparations to either improve the chances of survival of a major disaster to an acceptable level, or reduce the hardship in surviving a disaster.

What is ‘being prepared’

Being prepared means: you have a plan and an emergency kit - both of which are

repeatedly checked and updated and you are able to look after yourselves for 3 days or

more.

DRAFT

What is ‘being prepared’, cont’d

Have an emergency

survival plan that includes

what to do when not at home.

Have emergency items and water

Regularly update

emergency survival items

PREPARED = 7%

+ +

DRAFT

Importance of being prepared for disaster

Q6 How important is it that you are prepared for a disaster? Is it…

Quite important Very important

Not that importantNot at all important

Don’t know

Base: All Respondents (n=1,001)NOTE: Due to rounding percentages may not add to 100%

DRAFT

Why it is not important to be prepared

Q7 Why do you think it is not important to be prepared for a disaster?

Base: Those respondents who either stated that being prepared for a disaster was ‘not that important’ or ‘not at all important’ (n=44)

High chance it won’t happen/unlikely to happen

If its going to happen there’s nothing we can do about it/Can’t stop it

You don’t know when it will happen

Can already access most things/don’t need to go out and stock up on extras

Don’t want to focus on the negative

You don’t know when a disaster will occur/can’t prepare for anything

DRAFT

How well prepared do you feel you are

Q8 How well prepared for a disaster do you feel you are? Do you feel you are…

Base: All Respondents (n=1,001)NOTE: Due to rounding percentages may not add to 100%

Quite well prepared

Very well prepared

Not that well prepared

Not at all prepared

Don’t know

Although about 9 out of 10 people (94%) consider it very important or quite important

to be prepared for a disaster, only 6% consider themselves to be very well prepared.

Although about 9 out of 10 people (94%) consider it very important or quite important

to be prepared for a disaster, only 6% consider themselves to be very well prepared.

Of those with a household income of $100,000 or more, 22% are not

prepared at all for a disaster.

Under 40 year olds are the least prepared while those 70 years

or older are the most prepared.

DRAFT

Barriers to being prepared

Q9 You said that being prepared for a disaster is important, but you are not well prepared for one. What stops you from being prepared?

Base: Those respondents who stated that being very well prepared or quite well prepared for a disaster was important but said that they were not well prepared for one (n=341)NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown

Haven’t got around to it/no motivation to do it/not time to do it

Don’t expect it to happen/unlikely to happen/ignorance/we’re safe

Not enough information on being prepared e.g. what to do, the importance etc

Haven’t thought about it/don’t think about disasters

The cost/don’t have enough money

Don’t know when a disaster will occur/don’t know what to prepare for

Partly prepared/have some emergency supplies/emergency kit

Complacency

Don’t have any space to store survival items/emergency kit

Want to get on with life/don’t want to spend life worrying about disasters

Too much hassle/have to continually upgrade & replace supplies

Haven’t got supplies/shortage of emergency survival items

Of those who stated that being prepared for a disaster was very or quite important but weren’t well prepared for one, 40% said it was because they have no motivation or no time to do it and 36% said it was because they don’t expect it to

happen.

DRAFT

Help available following a disaster in your area

Q10 Now I’d like you to imagine that there has been a disaster in the town, city or rural area where you live. What groups or individuals do you think would be able to help you following a disaster?

Fire Department

Other

PoliceNeighbours

Civil DefenceAmbulance

FamilyArmy

Local/Regional CouncilHospitalsSt Johns

Red CrossFriends

Salvation ArmyLocal community/community centre

No-oneChurch/Church groups

Search & Rescue/Rescue serviceEmergency services/111

Schools/TeachersGovernment

Health workers/medical peopleAnybody/anyone else around


DRAFT

Household utilities & infrastructure services

Q11 Still imagining there had been a disaster, some of the normal services may not be available. What household utilities or infrastructure services do you think could be disrupted?


Other

Don’t know

Electricity

Water

Telephone (land)

Sewage

Gas

Blocked roading

All services available

Mobile phones

Access to medical/health services

Food/food supply

Public transport

TV

Radio

House/Shelter/buildings/Infrastructure

Internet/computers

Although 70% said water could be disrupted in a disaster, only 42% said

they had water stored.

DRAFT

Actions to take during Tsunami warning

Q12aNow imagine that a tsunami warning has been issued, what actions should people take when a tsunami warning has been issued?


Other

Move to higher ground

Alert/check family/friends/neighbours

Prepare to be evacuated

Secure house/valuable belongings

Stay away from beaches/coastal areas

Check emergency get away kit

Move 1 kilometre inland

Implement survival plan

Listen to radio for further information

Get out/run/get out of area

Don’t panic/stay calm

Check pets

Get in car/ get in car & drive/boat/fly aircraft

DRAFT

Actions to take during Earthquake

Q12bNow imagine that there is a strong earthquake in your area, what actions should people take during and immediately following a strong earthquake?


Take shelter under a desk

Move to a safe place

Don’t know

Alert or check on family/friends/neighbours

Drop, cover and hold

Listen to the radio for further information

Check emergency survival items

Get out of building/House

Implement survival plan

Prepare to be evacuated

Check damage/Stabilised and safeCheck if everyone is ok/give

assistance/medical help/first aidLook out for live wires/power lines

Stay where you are/stay put

Check pets

Prepare for aftershocks/wait for finish

Other

Contact Civil Defence/Authorities/Emergency services

DRAFT

Level of preparedness

Q13 Which of the following statements apply to you?

You have a good understanding of the types of disasters that could occur in New Zealand, and the

chances of them occurring


You have the necessary emergency items needed to survive a disaster, such as, tinned food, toilet paper,

torch, spare batteries and so on

You have a good understanding of what the effects would be if a disaster struck in your area

You are familiar with the Civil Defence information in the Yellow Pages

You regularly update your emergency survival items

You have an emergency survival plan for your household

You have stored at least 3 litres of water per person for 3 days for each member in your household

You have not put together an emergency survival plan or emergency survival items but intend to

You attend meetings with community groups about disaster planning

None of these

Almost 7 in 10 respondents state that they are familiar with the Civil

Defence information in the Yellow Pages (67%), yet only 4 in 10 would think to look there for information before a disaster and only 1 in 10

during a disaster.

DRAFT

Survival Plan

Q14 Does your survival plan include what to do when you are not at home?

Base: Those respondents who stated that they have an emergency survival plan for their household (n=525)

Yes

No

Don’t know

DRAFTOn average, those who are very well prepared said they had done 6.4 of those 8 things to prepare for a disaster whereas those who are quite well prepared have only done about 5.5. Incidentally, even those who said they were not prepared at all had on average done 2.7 out of the 8 measures of preparedness.

Thus while it may appear that there are high levels of preparedness, the actual steps undertaken by the quite well prepared are less comprehensive than the very well prepared.

How prepared are they???

Parting thoughts

DRAFT

Parting thoughts

New Zealanders have incomplete knowledge of disasters and their effects.New Zealanders have incomplete levels of preparedness for disasters.While New Zealanders’ may have some knowledge of what to do, they have not fully thought through the impact.Quite well prepared probably isn’t prepared enough to really be described as ‘being prepared’.It is important to remember that ‘preparedness’ is not about looking at individual attitudes and behaviours in isolation, but taking a more holistic approach and looking at the totality of attitudes and behaviours.The really interesting results are still to come when the first tracking research results come in.

Demographics

DRAFT

Gender

Gender


FemaleMale

DRAFT

Involvement in community

Q16 Are you involved in any volunteer work in your community?


Yes

No

DRAFT

Age Group

Q17 In which of the following age groups do you belong?


Q1. Disasters that could happen in New Zealand in your lifetime.Earthquakes rated highest amongst the 30-39 age group (97%). Closely followed by the 40-49 age group (96%).Those in the 50-59 age group rate floods higher than any other age group (66%).15-19 year olds tend to have a low awareness of disasters (except for hurricanes/cyclones and storms).

DRAFT

Number of people in household

Q18 How many people are there living in your household?


DRAFT

Ethnic groups

Q19 Which ethnic group/groups do you belong to?


Q1. Disasters that could happen in New Zealand in your lifetime.

Earthquakes rated highest amongst Europeans (96%).

Tsunami rated highest amongst Maori’s (75%).

Floods were rated highest amongst New Zealand European/Pakeha group, and was particularly low amongst Maori and Asian groups.

DRAFT

Occupation

Q20 What is your occupation?


DRAFT

Personal/household income

Q21 Which of the following best describes your total personal income before tax?Q22 And which of the following best describes your household’s total annual income before tax?


Total Personal Income Total Household Income

DRAFT

Meeting groups

Q15 Have you attended a meeting to talk about what to do in a disaster with:


DRAFTLooking across all regions, Canterbury/West Coast are the most aware of potential disasters as well as being the most prepared overall.

65% of Canterbury/West Coast region and 60% of Wellington region believe that Civil Defence will be there to help in a disaster compared to the total (44%).

95% of Wellingtonians rate ‘earthquake’ as Very Likely/Quite Likely to affect them personally in their lifetime compared to the total (58%).

27% of Aucklanders consider a volcanic eruption Very Likely/Quite Likely to happen to them personally in their lifetime compared to the total (19%). However, Taranaki (59%) and Bay of Plenty (48%) both considered volcanic eruption more likely than Auckland.

Disaster Analysis by Region

DRAFTThe implications of this research are that:– New Zealanders have incomplete knowledge of disasters

and their effects.– New Zealanders have incomplete levels of preparedness for

disasters.– Quite well prepared probably isn’t prepared enough to really

be described as ‘being prepared’.– It is important to remember that ‘preparedness’ is not about

looking at individual attitudes and behaviours in isolation, but taking a more holistic approach and looking at the totality of attitudes and behaviours.

Conclusions

What’s the next step:We are planning a programme of tracking research that will monitor New Zealanders changing attitudes and behaviours towards disasters. As the campaign unfolds, each stage of the tracking will be tailored to meet the information needs at the time. We can also investigate any issues in greater detail through qualitative research.

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Benchmark Survey 2006 Presented by Colmar Brunton.

Documents

Transcript of Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Benchmark Survey 2006 Presented by Colmar Brunton.