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

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.