What is Going to Move the Needle on Citizen Preparedness? Can America Create a Culture of Preparedness?
Abstract
The Federal Government has called for the creation of a Culture of Preparedness. A variety of studies have found that citizens are woefully unprepared for disasters. U.S. Citizens are no more prepared for disasters now than they were prior to Hurricane Katrina. This thesis identifies two major hurdles for a Culture of Preparedness in the United States: (1) changing government so that it embraces citizen preparedness as a forward deployment of assets and provides the necessary leadership and funding for preparedness efforts, and (2) changing the behavior of the American people so that they embrace and act upon the message of preparedness. The thesis reviews numerous federal documents highlighting the importance of citizen preparedness and juxtaposes stated policy to actual federal budget numbers. Lack of formal policy by state and local government is identified as a concern. Defining and measuring citizen preparedness have yet to be accomplished, and a persuasive campaign to change human behavior has yet to be created. Such a campaign would incorporate social marketing, cause marketing, psychology, and sociology. Campaigns promoting seat belt usage and breast cancer awareness are identified as models. A true culture of preparedness exists in Israel. If America desires to create a profound and enduring change to a culture of preparedness, is Israel the model? Israelis believe in talking about terrorism with children and accepting terrorism as a part of life. Israeli citizens are considered psychologically prepared for terrorism and the Israeli government stresses the concept of resiliency in all preparedness efforts. Is America willing to go that far? In looking to create a culture of preparedness and resilient communities throughout the United States, should preparedness include psychologically preparing for terrorism? Recommendations and suggestions for developing a Culture of Preparedness are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA480133
Entities
People
- Annemarie Conroy
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School