Speaker
Description
Background. Total defence approach to national security strategy entails the active involvement and preparedness of all sectors of society and individuals taking responsibility for their own level of readiness to respond to crisis and security challenges.
Aim. Understand the concerns of residents in Baltic urban centres and the role they are ready to play in crisis preparedness initiatives as part of the total defence approach. First, look at risk perception analysis of natural and man-made disasters in the three countries and identify the major concerns of residents. Then, look at shortcomings to individual readiness by comparing self-described levels of preparedness in relation to common preparedness measures and national civil security recommendations. Thus, we identify the overall challenges political institutions in these urban centres must overcome, and the overall readiness of the public to respond.
Conclusion. Residents of surveyed cities are nowhere near the level of readiness necessary to respond to for disasters/emergency situations and do not have sufficient knowledge about necessary actions. Majority need more detailed information about what to do in the event of a disaster or emergency (e.g. leaflets, media) - 69% of inhabitants of Riga, 73% of inhabitants of Germany’s cities and 80% of inhabitants Helsinki.
| Presenting author | Ieva Birka |
|---|
