Interest in receiving information about disaster preparedness amongst citizens in Frankfurt

In addition to the participation in training activities every 1-2 years, three out of four participants also expressed their strong interest in receiving at least once per year information about how to prepare themselves and their family/friends for a disaster. During the group discussions, suggestions ranged from receiving “simple” paper brochures, a desirable omnipresence of information (e.g. via posters in schools and workplaces) and dedicated regular TV series (e.g. documentaries or talk shows) to mandatory exposure to information, similar to the safety briefings in airplanes, that should be implemented in public or semi-public spaces such as busses, waiting halls, entrance areas of sports stadiums, shopping centres or concert halls, but also in private spaces such as cinemas or hotel lobbies.

Cultural Factors: Open-mindedness, Communication

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations

Disaster Phases: Preparedness, Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Local authorities, Government, Healthcare and emergency services

Recommendations:

• Use trustworthy, widespread, multi-lingual, culturally appropriate and inclusive means of alerting the target population in case of disasters
• Inform citizens about the risk they may face and about possible actions and measures, they can take to reduce vulnerability and better prepare themselves
• Use cultural factors to improve the effectiveness of disaster communication