Development Opportunities for Disaster Management Education and Information among the Hungarian Adult Population

Abstract

Natural and civil disasters are becoming increasingly common in the modern world, and the prevention, management and mitigation of their effects require close cooperation between professional disaster management and the public.

The aim of my research was to assess what tools (e.g. smartphones, radio, television, online news portals, social media) are available for disaster management information and alerts, and to develop an educational system using these tools that expands the population's knowledge with online and offline educational materials, tests, and practical simulations.

In the course of the research, I analysed the effectiveness of information provision by analysing international and national literature, Hungarian legislation and the results of questionnaire surveys. Based on the results, I propose the introduction of a new disaster preparedness training system, accessible to all, to complement the public information and preparedness system used by the disaster management, which would include modules on fire safety, industrial safety and civil protection and would contribute to the basic disaster preparedness of the population. The aim of the training system is to prepare the population to comply with the standards of behaviour and protocols to be followed in the event of disasters, thereby reducing the harmful effects of disasters.