Investigation of the Relationship Between Disaster Experiences and Disaster Measures: Potential for Specific Measures Against Disasters

Abstract

Introduction:

Japan is known worldwide as an earthquake-prone country, and large-scale landslide disasters have occurred frequently in recent years. Early preparation is essential for taking precise action in case of an emergency. People with disaster experience are often discussed in the importance of evacuation drills. However, most people have no disaster experience, so awareness of disaster countermeasures is desirable for non-experienced people.

Aim:

To clarify the concerns of non-experienced people and consider how to strengthen disaster measures as an evacuation drill host or educator.

Methods:

From February to March 2018, we enrolled teachers and parents whose children attend Hiroshima City Elementary School. Based on disaster experiences, we divided them into two groups, non-experienced and experienced, and a comparison of measures was performed between them. We used SPSS ver.22 and did a chi-square test.

Results:

There were 1,702 valid responses (145 teachers and 1,557 parents); 1,406 were non-experienced, and 289 were experienced. The issues both groups were most concerned about were “children’s safety at school” (non-experienced 61.7%, experienced 57.3%), “securing food and drink at school” (39.0%, 3.3.9%), “acceptance and distribution of relief supplies” (28.1%, 2.6.6%), and “resident evacuation” (25.4%, 2.4.0%). The experienced were most concerned with “children’s mental care” (60.2%), and the non-experienced were most concerned with “children’s safety at school” (61.7%).

Discussion:

Regardless of experience, parents tend to be deeply concerned about all things pertaining to their children. Physical safety, as well as psychological needs, were of high importance. For non-experienced, we should develop interest by focusing on children’s needs when writing manuals for disaster measures and evacuation drills. Therefore, future projects to strengthen awareness of disaster prevention for the non-experienced should focus on three key issues: “step-by-step approaches for children,” “physiological needs,” and “safety of schools and shelters.”