Emergencies: How prepared are you?

Closed 31 Oct 2023

Opened 1 Sep 2023

Feedback updated 15 May 2024

We asked

We carried out an annual survey during September and October 2023 to find out how prepared people are for emergency situations.

September is Preparedness Month, and this work helps with on-going research by the #30days30waysUK national campaign, and developing a wide understanding of community preparedness in the UK.

The survey consisted of questions relating to perception, and personal and community resilience.

You said

There were a total of 215 responses to this year's engagement.

Key findings:

  • There is a high percentage of confidence in emergency preparedness (82 per cent),
  • Almost 40 per cent of respondents maintain home supplies that could last at least 8 days, that they feel are critical,
  • At least 21 per cent of respondents have put together a "grab bag" in case of emergencies,
  • In respect of community preparedness, 79 per cent of respondents are aware of community plans, and 88 per cent of respondents would be willing to volunteer or offer support.

We did

As we increasingly experience emergency events impacting communities across the UK, raising risk awareness, and providing information and support for personal and community preparedness is of vital importance and the 30days30waysUK helps with this.

The information from this activity helps to provide people with understanding on emergency preparedness, allows people to reflect on their current provision, along with helping with important research.

The annual report can be viewed on the #30days30waysUK website (link opens in a new window)

Overview

September is Preparedness Month and as part of the national #30Days30WaysUK campaign we run an annual survey to find out how prepared people are for emergencies that may happen.

Since 2015, the 30Days30WaysUK campaign aims to inspire and empower people to be more ‘emergency ready’.

This short survey has its roots in the 2008 ‘place survey’ across all local authorities in England and the 2013 ‘How Prepared Are You’ survey in Northamptonshire. It also takes inspiration from the ‘Emergency Preparedness Scotland 2014’ report and the 2015 ‘Risk & Preparedness’ study from Ireland.

This yearly follow on survey is anonymous and contributes to ongoing research by 30days30waysUK on household and community preparedness in the United Kingdom. 30days30waysUK is a professional volunteer network coordinated at Local Resilience Forum level.

For more information, visit the 30Days30WaysUK website.

This survey will run from 1 September to midnight on 31 October 2023.

If you have any questions or enquiries about the survey, please contact Joanne Maddams, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Manager, via email at Joanne.Maddams@westnorthants.gov.uk or by phone on 0300 1261012.

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.

Interests

  • Engagement activities
  • Community, safety and emergencies