Who Prepares and Why? Drivers of Disaster Preparedness in Squamish, Canada

Abstract

While international disaster risk reduction frameworks place household preparedness at the center of resilience strategy, substantial proportions of people living in hazard-prone areas remain underprepared. We develop an integrated framework combining protection motivation theory, the capabilities approach, and social contract theory to explain why some residents prepare while others do not. Drawing on survey data from 159 adults and 27 qualitative interviews, we analyze how sociodemographic characteristics, hazard experience, risk perception, residence status, neighborhood, and institutional trust relate to preparedness in Squamish. Preparedness levels were modest, with respondents completing a mean of 4.21 out of 10 preparedness actions. Lower formal education was the strongest negative predictor, while hazard experience and hazard concern were consistent positive predictors. Perceived hazard likelihood did not predict preparedness and, in some resident-only models, was negatively associated with participation in drills and training. We conclude that in Squamish, preparedness is shaped by an individual’s hazard concern, what they are materially able to do, and whether they believe institutions will uphold their side of the social contract.

Keywords

Capabilities / Preparedness / Protection motivation theory / Resilience / Social contract

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