Does Preparedness Matter? The Influence of Household Preparedness on Disaster Outcomes During Superstorm Sandy

Abstract

Objectives:This study empirically examines preparedness with a kit, medication, and a disaster plan on disaster outcomes including perceived recovery, property damage, and use of medical or mental health services.Methods:Using a cross-sectional, retrospective study design, 1114 households in New York City were interviewed 21-34 months following Super Storm Sandy. Bivariate associations were examined and logistic regression models fit to predict the odds of disaster outcomes given the level of preparedness.Results:Respondents with an evacuation plan were more likely to report not being recovered (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-3.8), property damage (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), and use of medical services (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). Respondents reporting a supply of prescription medication were more likely to report using mental health (OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.2-9.8) and medical services (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.8)Conclusions:Having a kit, plan, and medication did not reduce risk of adverse outcomes in Superstorm Sandy in this sample. Disaster managers should consider the lack of evidence for preparedness when making public education and resource allocation decisions. Additional research is needed to identify preparedness measures that lead to better outcomes for more efficient and effective response and recovery.

Household emergency preparedness: A multidisciplinary concept analysis

“…Ready.gov and the Citizens Corp. 26 After reviewing these two federal campaigns and U.S.-focused literature, a lack of a clear, concise definition of HEP became apparent. 3,4,6,27 Similarly, the Oxford English Dictionary 28 does not list a definition for the concept of HEP but cites preparedness as a noun, defining it as "the state or condition of being prepared; readiness." Individual and multidisciplinary definitions of preparedness were identified in the literature.…”

“…27 (p. 333) Several publications support HEP as a responsibility of governmental and nongovernmental agencies to advise people to get ready for an impending disaster. 6,18,19 HEP is also referred to as a component of community preparedness supported by self-efficacy behaviors. 7 Several publications consider a microsystem level perspective, reporting that HEP involves individual, family, or household disaster preparedness behaviors to enhance selfsufficiency for the first 72 h following a disaster to address unique needs and vulnerabilities.…”

“…3,4 Despite national preparedness efforts to increase HEP levels, scholars report low states of readiness at the individual/family subsystem levels. [4][5][6][7][8][9] HEP is essential for individual, family, and community resilience, especially among subpopulations with chronic health issues, functional impairments, or pregnant women and children. 10 Since HEP is the desired outcome of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) strategic plan to increase the number of adults who engage in three or more action-based preparedness activities, 11 a concept analysis is needed to clarify the internal structures of HEP and to determine perceived and actual uses of HEP.…”

Earthquakes

“…Research indicates that factors influencing preparedness attitudes and behaviors are complex and multifaceted, including demographic characteristics, trust in government efforts, previous exposure to a disaster, and number of dependents in a household (Greenberg et al, 2013;Kohn et al, 2012). While it seems completely rational, it is difficult to demonstrate that household preparedness is effective (Clay et al, 2019;Heagele et al, 2016;Levac et al, 2012). Given poor evidence for efficacy and the challenge of getting the public to address individual preparedness by stockpiling emergency supplies and creating an emergency plan, Los Angeles CDPH shifted its social media messaging for emergency preparedness to encourage social connectivity as a central feature with an emphasis on community preparedness (Plough et al, 2013).…”

Household impacts of interruption to electric power and water services

“…preparedness, and risk perception(Moreno and Shaw 2019, Dargin and Mostafavi 2020, Heidenstrom and Throne-Holst 2020, Klinger et al 2014, FEMA 2013, Martins et al 2018, Clay et al 2020, include those related to (1) how the service (electric power or water) is used (x e.heat , x e.dev , x e.work , x w.dev , x e.work ), (2) risk perception and past experience in emergencies (x l.emer , x w.emer , x n.emer , x prep ), (3) social cohesion (x neighbor ),…”