Human-Made Hazards: Terrorism, Civil Unrest, and Technological Hazards
What are some of the factors that influence the public’s perception of the level of risk we face from human-made hazards?
How can this public perception affect how emergency managers follow the emergence preparedness plan and other mitigation and preparedness activities?
Sample Solution
The public’s perception of the risk posed by human-made hazards is influenced by several factors. Media coverage, government statements, and personal experiences can all affect the way people view certain risks. This means that emergency managers must be mindful when creating preparedness plans and other mitigation activities to ensure that the public does not become overly worried or complacent about potential threats.
Media Coverage: News media often play an important role in shaping public perceptions of risks from human-made hazards. The manner in which a disaster is reported and the amount of attention it receives can greatly influence how much attention people pay to it, as well as what level of anxiety they experience concerning its threat. Furthermore, sensationalized reporting may lead individuals to overestimate the scope or effects of a particular disaster, while lack of coverage could cause people to underestimate its importance. Therefore, emergency managers should take into account any news reports covering their area’s specific disasters when designing mitigation strategies and making communication plans regarding those disasters.
Government Statements: Government officials are also influential figures when it comes to informing citizens about dangers posed by human-made hazards. When making official statements on potentially hazardous incidents or circumstances, these figures should strive for accuracy and clarity in order to avoid misleading or misinforming civilians about their danger level. Additionally, if information provided by officials appears contradictory or uncertain this can create confusion among listeners and further complicate public perceptions of risk associated with natural phenomena such as extreme weather events or terrorist attacks . As such , emergency planners should consult local authorities prior to releasing statements regarding potential catastrophes .
Personal Experiences: Personal experiences also have an effect on one’s perception on risk from human-made threats . For instance , those who have been directly affected by a disaster may perceive future occurrences more seriously than someone who has not experienced them firsthand . Similarly , witnessing tragic events over time can desensitize individuals towards them , leading them to underestimate the severity of similar dangers later down the line . Emergency personnel must bear these distinctions in mind during preparation for emergencies; however , they must also remember that each person will react differently depending upon their own individual experiences .
Overall , understanding how various factors influence citizens ‘views on risk posed by human made hazards is essential for successful implementation of response actions before an event takes place and accurate assessment afterwards .. Consequently , emergency personnel must examine how media coverage , governmental action ,and personal stories all inform public opinion before making decisions influencing community safety during times of distress