INFLUENCE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS ON CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS

The consequences of floods that affected the area of Serbia in 2014 indicated a very low level of preparedness of population to respond to natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of quantitative research is to examine the impact of fear on the willingness of citizens to respond to a natural disaster caused by the flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia where floods occurred or there is a high risk of flooding, randomly it was selected sample consisting 19 of 150 municipalities and 23 towns and the city of Belgrade The survey used strategy of testing in households with the use of a multi-stage random sample. The research results show that: citizens who are employed, in a higher percentage/greater extent compared to citizens who are not: have taken certain preventive measures aimed at reducing the tangible consequences of floods, would pay funds to an account to help flood victims, would engage in providing help to flood victims in the field, heavy rains make them to think on preparedness for response and water level rise, they engaged in preparations for at least 6 months, do not do anything that would raise the level of preparedness to the next level etc. The originality of the research lies in the fact that in Serbia it has never been conducted research to examine the state of preparedness of citizens to respond. Bearing in mind that the research is based on the territory of Serbia, conclusions can be generalized to the entire population. The research results can be used when creating a strategy for improving the level of preparedness of citizens to respond. 

Key words: natural disasters, floods, citizens, employment, preparedness.

For citations: Cvetković, V. (2016). Influence of employment status on citizen preparedness for response to natural disasasters. NBP – Journal of criminalistics and law, in press. 

Утицај демографских фактора на ниво информисаности грађана о надлежностима полиције у природним катастрофама - The influence of demographic factors on the level of citizen awareness on the police responsibilities in natural disasters

Спроведено истраживање имало је за циљ да утврди природу повезаности демографских карактеристика грађана у Републици Србији и њихове у информисаности о надлежностима полиције у природним катастрофама изазваним поплавама. Узимајући у обзир све општине у Србији у којима постоји ризик од поплава, методом случајног узорка одабрано је њих деветнаест. У одабраним општинама применом вишеетапног случајног узорка анкетиранo je 2500 грађанa у оним деловима и домаћинствима који су угрожени у односу на ниво стогодишње високе воде. 
Резултати истраживања указују да постоји статистички значајна повезаност испитиваних демографских карактеристика (пол, године старости, ниво образовања и успех у средњој школи) и информисаности грађана о надлежностима полиције у природним катастрофама. Само 22% испитаника је истакло да је информисано о надлежностима полиције у природним катастрофама. Информисаност је највиша у вези надлежности ватрогасно-спасилачких јединица у природним катастрофама изазваним поплавом, при чему су грађани старости од 48 до 58 година у највећој мери информисани о надлежностима полиције. Грађани који имају високо образовање забележили су виши ниво информисаности о надлежностима полиције у односу на грађане са завршеном средњом/четворогодишњом школом. Такође, утврђена је статистички значајна разлика резултата код мушкараца и жена у погледу информисаности. 
Резултати истраживања се могу искористити за проактивно побољшање информисаности грађана имајући у виду безбедносне импликације по сам рад полиције у таквим ситуацијама. Друштвена и научна оправданост истраживања произилази из неопходности свеобухватне анализе рада полиције у природним катастрофама и његове оцене од стране грађана.

Кључне речи: безбедност, природне катастрофе, поплава, демографски фактори, информисаност, полиција.

Abstract: The research was aimed to determine the nature of the relationship between demographic characteristics of citizens in the Republic of Serbia and their awareness on the police responsibilities in natural disasters caused by flooding. Taking into account all municipalities in Serbia in which there is a risk of flooding, ninetee were randomly selected. In selected municipalities by using a multi-stage random sample 2,500 citizens were surveyed in those areas and households that are more vulnerable in relation to the level of a hundred year high water. The research results indicate that there is a statistically significant correlation between the demographic characteristics (gender, age, level of education and success in high school) and the awareness of citizens on the responsibilities of the police in natural disasters. Only 22% of respondents noted that they are informed on the police responsibilities in natural disasters. Awareness is the highest in respect of responsibilities of fire and rescue units in natural disasters caused by flooding, whereby citizens aged 48 to 58 years are best informed on the police responsibilities. Citizens with university degrees showed a higher level of awareness about the police responsibilities compared to the citizens with completed secondary/four-year school. Also, there is a statistically significant difference in the results for men and women in terms of awareness. The research results can be used to proactively improve the awareness of citizens, bearing in mind the security implications for policing itself in such situations. Social and scientific justification of the research stems from the necessity of a comprehensive analysis of police work in natural disasters and its assessment by the citizens.

Key words: security, natural disasters, floods, demographic factors, awareness, police

Za citiranje: Цветковић, В., & Милојковић, Б. (2016). Утицај демографских фактора на ниво информисаности грађана о надлежностима полиције у природним катастрофама. Безбедност, у штампи.