Publication

Abstract : The seismic risk level is high in India in context of potential future earthquakes and high population density. The worldwide experiences have shown that distressing effects of earthquakes can be effectively reduced by improving the earthquake preparedness level of individuals. The governing bodies and non-governmental agencies can assess and improve preparedness periodically, only if there is measurement tool to assess the preparedness levels. This study aims at the development of such a reliable and valid survey-based tool that can measure individual preparedness level in terms of earthquake readiness index (ERI). The tool was developed through a three-phase process including literature surveys, questionnaire development involving pilot studies, validity and reliability checks, and field investigation. Content validity, construct validity, internal consistency check using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, test-retest reliability check using Spearman’s correlation exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were carried out for the developing the ERI measuring survey tool. Study on Indian residents with samples collected from the city of Coimbatore from 540 respondents, confirmed the factor analysis. The final 27-item tool consisted of six categories like emergency needs, personal safety, outdoor safety, indoor safety, structural safety, and mitigation.