Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia: a study from selected municipalities

The paper presents the results of a qualitative research regarding the household earthquake and community-level preparedness in Serbia and its relationship with various demographic factors. A series of 1,018 face–to–face interviews were conducted at the beginning of 2017 in 8 Serbian municipalities. The results show generally unprepared population and lower percentages of reported enhanced preparedness levels. In addition to presenting findings, the study also considers future research directions, including using this study as a baseline for more in-depth examination and to assist in facilitating community-led programs and strategies in order to raise the level of security of citizens during earthquakes.

Figure 1: Study areas location with earthquake risk zones in Serbia and number of respondents.

For citations: Cvetković, V., Kevin, R., Shaw, R., Filipović, M., Mano, R., Gačić, J., & Jakovljević, V. (2018). Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia – a study from selected municipalities. Acta Geographica, In press. 

Public Risk Perspectives Regarding the Threat of Terrorism in Belgrade: Implications for Risk Management Decision-Making for Individuals, Communities and Public Authorities

Public Risk Perspectives Regarding the Threat of Terrorism in Belgrade: Implications for Risk Management Decision-Making for Individuals, Communities and Public Authorities

Vladimir M. Cvetković, Eric K. Noji, Marina Filipović, Marija Popović Mančević, Želimir Kešetović, Nenad Radović

Bearing in mind a long history of terrorist threats in Serbia, the aim of this paper is to determine the perceived risk of terrorist attacks and level of individual, communities and public authorities preparedness in Belgrade. The structured questionnaire about perceived risk of terrorist attacks and preparedness was developed using close-ended, multiple choice questions and 5-point Likert scales questions. This was coupled with a purpose-designed questionnaire related to demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the interviewees and their perception of the likelihood of terrorist attacks, preparedness and security, potential consequences, execution methods and place of the terrorist attacks. At different times of day, between June and September 2017, data were collected by means of a telephone survey using a random digit dialing procedure; 485 adult Serbian residents participated in the research with informed consent obtained from all respondents. Overall, the participants’ responses indicated a low level of likelihood of terrorist attacks taking place with a moderate perceived preparedness being in place. This was accompanied with the results of demographic and socioeconomic differences in terrorism risk perception. Based on findings that there are major differences in the public's perception of risks presented by terrorism threats, emergency management agencies should use these differences to enhance preparedness through the promotion of behavioral change and the improvement of risk management decision-making.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327136875_Public_Risk_Perspectives_Regarding_the_Threat_of_Terrorism_in_Belgrade_Implications_for_Risk_Management_Decision-Making_for_Individuals_Communities_and_Public_Authorities

Keywords: terrorism, risk perception, threat, preparedness, decision-making, Belgrade.

Cvetković, V., Noji, E., Filipović, M., Marija, M. P., Želimir, K., & Nenad, R. (2018). Public Risk Perspectives Regarding the Threat of Terrorism in Belgrade: Implications for Risk Management Decision-Making for Individuals, Communities and Public Authorities. Journal of Criminal Investigation and Criminology/(4).