This indicator is part of Emergency preparedness.

Indicator description:

The City of Albuquerque commissions a survey of Citizen's Perceptions of Community Conditions every other year in order to determine citizen's views of the current conditions in the Albuquerque community. For the last two surveys, conducted by Research and Polling, Inc., the same question was posed to citizens questioning their concern over natural and human-caused disasters, and their level of preparedness, if any. Albuquerque residents are less concerned about human-caused disaster than natural disaster, and were less concerned overall in 2007 than in 2005. The majority of residents have taken no steps towards emergency preparedness, and even fewer were ready for any disaster in 2007 than in 2005. Comparable survey data for peer southwest cities could not be found, as other communities are not asking their citizens these same questions. Therefore, Albuquerque's local trend cannot be compared with data from peer southwest cities.

Why is this indicator relevant?

Recent catastrophic events have created a greater awareness for disaster preparedness across the public and private sector. Despite this focus among federal, state and local governments, Albuquerque citizens report little concern about, or readiness for, any natural or human-caused disaster which may strike Albuquerque. Studies suggest the public is ill prepared for natural or manmade disasters, and also that the public is unwilling to take an interest in preparedness; this includes those who live in areas at risk of earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. This is due to combination of factors, including conflicting or confusing advice, a lack of reliable information regarding particular hazards, and the notion of preparedness being off-putting and scary.

Data Source:
City of Albuquerque, Citizen's Perceptions of Community Conditions survey, Research and Polling, Inc., 2005-2007.

What can we tell from the data?

• Albuquerque citizens are not particularly concerned about, or ready for, natural or manmade disaster.
• Fewer citizens are ready or concerned in 2007 than were in 2005.

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