Assessing the Effect of Community Preparedness on Property Damage Costs during Wildfires: A Case Study of Greece

Abstract

The current study attempts to assess the effect of community preparedness on property damage costs during wildfires. The focus is primarily on how various aspects of community preparedness, such as early warning systems, early risk assessment, emergency response plans, and fire-resistant landscaping, influence the extent of property damage costs during wildfires. For this purpose, data were collected from 384 Greek residents from different regions of the country using an online questionnaire. In this case, analysis was performed utilizing SPSS version 22.0. According to the findings, survey respondents replied that fire suppression was the most common property cost associated with wildfire. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing insights into the specific factors that affect property damage expenditure during wildfires, specifically the intricate relationship between the expenses of property loss caused by wildfires and community preparation. The study’s findings can be utilized by policymakers and communities to improve preparedness plans and consequently decrease the impact of wildfires on property and people.