Importance of communication and knowledge of disasters in community-based disaster-prevention meetings

• Published in: Safety science Vol. 99; pp. 235 - 243
• Main Authors: Nakamura, Hiroki, Umeki, Hisao, Kato, Takaaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Communication; Community-based meetings; Disaster prevention; Local community; Disaster prevention; Local community; Community-based meetings; Communication
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2016.08.024

•We have analyzed what is important for community-based disaster-prevention meetings.•Knowledge and understanding of disasters and community are important factors.•An effective relationship and communication with local communities is more essential.•Human interaction and communication with various people beyond generations are important. This study examines the importance of communication and other relevant factors in community-based disaster-prevention meetings (CDPMs) by focusing on participants’ satisfaction with these meetings, which was assessed using a questionnaire survey. CDPMs in Kitakyushu City were selected as a case for this study and the analysis was conducted using statistical methods called Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that for effective CDPMs, knowledge and understanding of disasters and community are important factors; however, more importantly, an effective relationship and communication with local communities is an essential factor. In other words, for CDPMs, it is important to increase not only the understanding of disasters but also human interaction and communication between different generations.