Preparedness and hazard mitigation actions before and after two earthquakes

ABSTRACT

This study examines the current state of preparedness among Los Amgeles country and san Francisco bay area residents, determine the extent to which levels od preparedness have change since the symar earthquake in 1971, identifies the circumstances under which people was prepared, and assesses the extent to which respondents overall perceptions of preparedness match their report of preparedness activities. Since the 1971s, residents of the two areas have increased their level of survival activities substantially, but progress in home - hazard mitigation and family earthquake planning have generally remained constant and low. Pre-earthquake preparedness was predicted by home ownership, income, education, marital status, number of children at home , number of years in the neighborthood, and number of eartquakes experienced. In contrast, post -eathquake preparedness was predicted by proximity to the earthquake epicenter, earthquake-related experiences, fear,and levels of pre-earthquake preparedness (AU)