3. Community preparedness for crisis Unlike countries that are more prone to natural disasters that can lead to crisis situations - for example, earthquake zones - the UK does not have a well-developed culture of crisis resilience. Recent events and the increased likelihood of natural disasters due to climate change suggest that the UK ought to develop such a culture. The findings from our research show that the Similar findings are reflected in the responses public is concerned about how they and their of the wider population with more than half of communities respond to major emergencies. people (53%) stating they would not know what We believe that this concern stems from an to do or how to help if disaster struck. absence of clear and tangible ways for people Local people have a critical role to play in to get involved and help build communities that emergency response, but there are some are resilient to crises. significant obstacles stopping people Communities aren’t clear on how they from helping in an emergency situation can respond to emergencies such as not knowing how to help or In our survey of 4,000 UK adults, one in feeling like they don’t have the right five (21%) said they had personally skills to offer. experienced or witnessed a major emergency in their community, with severe More than half of people who had weather, flooding, large scale power outages experienced an emergency felt their and fires being the most common incidents. community was not given enough However, when asked about response to those opportunity to help. emergencies, more than half (56%) felt that people within their community were not given enough opportunity to support. Why people would be put off from helping in a crisis Biggest reasons holding people back from helping in an emergency: Not knowing how I could help 27% Feeling I don’t have the skills 19% Being afraid of doing the wrong thing 18% Not wanting to get in the way 15% Source: Reference 1. 9