Emergency preparedness amongst university students

The objective of this study was to examine the level of emergency preparedness among University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada students. The research examined both purposeful preparedness and coincidental preparedness, students' sense of responsibility, and barriers preventing further preparedness. Information was collected through an online survey, completed by 80 participants, conducted during the Spring 2013 academic term. The study found that the majority of students felt that they were the most important actors in personal wellbeing during the first 72 h post-incident; however, most were not prepared to deal independently with a disaster for the recommended 72 h period. Most students did have basic coincidental preparedness supplies, but not full emergency preparedness kits. The results showed that students do experience barriers limiting further preparedness, which may be alleviated through increased administrative support by the University and other community emergency preparedness agencies.