Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management Benchmark Survey

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

Background 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. This is a benchmark to provide comparisons for future measures.

Objectives DRAFT The 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. 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.

Objectives, cont’d DRAFT Objectives 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.

Methodology DRAFT Survey conducted by CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing), amongst a random nationwide residential sample Respondents defined as those in the household aged 15+, with next birthday Sample size (n=1, 001) Fieldwork dates: 20 April to 14 May 2006 17 minute questionnaire 1, 001 completed the survey Regional quotas, fully national Results weighted by respondent age, gender and location Response rate = 18%

Results

Possible disasters in your lifetime Q 1 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? 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. DRAFT 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%). Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001)

Possible disasters affecting you personally Q 2 How likely do you think it is that there would be a major <Q 1>, affecting you personally in your lifetime, where you are currently living now. Do you think it is… Very Likely Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) DRAFT Quite Likely Quite Unlikely Very Unlikely Don’t Know Will never happen

Information

Where seen/heard disaster messages or information in last year Q 3 Where have you heard or seen any messages or information on what to do in a disaster in the last year? DRAFT TV Yellow Pages Radio Newspapers (not community) Brochures/flyers Local or Community newspapers Workplace/newsletter at work Unaddressed mail Internet Have not heard or seen any messages School Word of mouth Billboards/posters on transport/public building Telephone directory/White Pages Civil Defence Information/Seminar Other Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown Internet just 6% at this stage

Finding information before a disaster Q 4 a Before a disaster, where can you get information about how to prepare for a disaster? Yellow Pages Ministry of Civil defence website Local/Regional Council Civil Defence Radio Brochures/Flyers Police TV Internet/Web in general Other website Library Fire department/brigade Google. com Newspaper Telephone directory/phonebook Citizens Advice Bureau Schools/Universities Information Centre Word of mouth Government/Govt Commission EQC/Earthquake Commission Health Authorities/Hospital Other Don’t know Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown DRAFT 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.

Finding information during a disaster Q 4 b And during a disaster, where can you get information about what to do in a disaster? Radio (during emergency) TV Local/Regional Council Yellow Pages Ministry of Civil defence website Word of mouth Police Civil Defence Newspaper Civil Defence sector post Telephone directory/phonebook Fire department/brigade 111/Emergency service Schools/Universities Phones/Cellphones/Mobile Phones Other website Internet/Web in general Library Citizens Advice Bureau 0800 numbers/Hotline/Helpline Media/news Other Don’t know Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown DRAFT During a disaster, almost 7 in 10 people (69%) would listen to the Radio as a source of information.

Attitudes

Attitudes towards disasters Q 5 On a scale of strongly agree, slightly disagree and strongly disagree, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? DRAFT Strongly agree Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) Slightly agree Slightly disagree Strongly disagree Don’t Know

Preparedness

What is ‘being prepared’ 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. 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.

What is ‘being prepared’, cont’d DRAFT 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%

Importance of being prepared for disaster Q 6 How important is it that you are prepared for a disaster? Is it… DRAFT Not at all important Don’t know Not that important Quite important Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Due to rounding percentages may not add to 100% Very important

Why it is not important to be prepared Q 7 Why do you think it is not important to be prepared for a disaster? 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 Base: Those respondents who either stated that being prepared for a disaster was ‘not that important’ or ‘not at all important’ (n=44) DRAFT

How well prepared do you feel you are Q 8 How well prepared for a disaster do you feel you are? Do you feel you are… DRAFT 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. Don’t know Not at all prepared Very well prepared Of those with a household income of $100, 000 or more, 22% are not prepared at all for a disaster. Quite well prepared Not that well prepared Under 40 year olds are the least prepared while those 70 years or older are the most prepared. Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Due to rounding percentages may not add to 100%

Barriers to being prepared Q 9 You said that being prepared for a disaster is important, but you are not well prepared for one. What stops you from being prepared? DRAFT 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 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. 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 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

Help available following a disaster in your area Q 10 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? DRAFT Fire Department Police Neighbours Civil Defence Ambulance Family Army Local/Regional Council Hospitals St Johns Red Cross Friends Salvation Army Local community/community centre No-one Church/Church groups Search & Rescue/Rescue service Emergency services/111 Schools/Teachers Government Health workers/medical people Anybody/anyone else around Other Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown

Household utilities & infrastructure services Q 11 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? DRAFT 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 Other Don’t know Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown Although 70% said water could be disrupted in a disaster, only 42% said they had water stored.

Actions to take during Tsunami warning Q 12 a Now imagine that a tsunami warning has been issued, what actions should people take when a tsunami warning has been issued? DRAFT Move to higher ground Check emergency get away kit Alert/check family/friends/neighbours Move 1 kilometre inland Prepare to be evacuated Implement survival plan Secure house/valuable belongings Listen to radio for further information Stay away from beaches/coastal areas Get out/run/get out of area Check pets Don’t panic/stay calm Get in car/ get in car & drive/boat/fly aircraft Other Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown

Actions to take during Earthquake Q 12 b Now imagine that there is a strong earthquake in your area, what actions should people take during and immediately following a strong earthquake? DRAFT Take shelter under a desk Move to a safe place 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 safe Check if everyone is ok/give assistance/medical help/first aid Look out for live wires/power lines Contact Civil Defence/Authorities/Emergency services Stay where you are/stay put Check pets Prepare for aftershocks/wait for finish Other Don’t know Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown

Level of preparedness Q 13 Which of the following statements apply to you? DRAFT 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 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 Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) 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.

Survival Plan Q 14 Does your survival plan include what to do when you are not at home? Don’t know Yes No Base: Those respondents who stated that they have an emergency survival plan for their household (n=525) DRAFT

How prepared are they? ? ? DRAFT On 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.

Parting thoughts

Parting thoughts DRAFT 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

Gender DRAFT Male Female Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001)

Involvement in community Q 16 Are you involved in any volunteer work in your community? DRAFT Yes No Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001)

Age Group Q 17 In which of the following age groups do you belong? Q 1. 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). Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) DRAFT

Number of people in household Q 18 How many people are there living in your household? Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) DRAFT

Ethnic groups Q 19 Which ethnic group/groups do you belong to? Q 1. 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. Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) DRAFT

Occupation Q 20 What is your occupation? Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) DRAFT

Personal/household income Q 21 Which of the following best describes your total personal income before tax? Q 22 And which of the following best describes your household’s total annual income before tax? Total Personal Income Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) Total Household Income DRAFT

Meeting groups Q 15 Have you attended a meeting to talk about what to do in a disaster with: Base: All Respondents (n=1, 001) NOTE: Statements below 2% not shown DRAFT

Disaster Analysis by Region DRAFT Looking 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.

Conclusions DRAFT The 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. 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.