Busting Preparedness Myths!
April is preparedness month so this is a great time to bust some longstanding myths and misconceptions! Many myths, rumors and tall-tales influence our willingness to take preparedness action, so join us in kicking the most harmful falsehoods to the curb.
The BIG MYTH #1 on CARD’s mythbusting list is the idea that fear motivates us to be prepared. FALSE! Research shows that even the fear of death is usually not enough for most of us to make lasting changes in our behavior. And using fear and threat to achieve long-term, volitional behavior change is both ineffective and brings several negative consequences including increased anxiety, negative coping behaviors, and decreased trust for the messenger.
Coming in as Myth #2 is the very popular notion that it’s best to use “standardized” preparedness messages. FALSE! For decades communities have only received standardized materials that were never designed to address their unique preparedness needs and life circumstances. Look at Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities. Dual-language phrase books, bi-lingual emergency contacts, and access to native language services are just a few things that were not included in the translated English-language preparedness education.Translating materials that were written for American, English-speaking, middle-class audiences leaves these communities without the basic information they need. Going with standardized, one-size-fits-all thinking leaves everyone more vulnerable.
Earning the Myth #3 spot is the misleading and often-shared image of the smooth — and mythical — circular disaster cycle: where preparedness leads to response, which leads to recovery, which leads to mitigation, and then back again to the beginning. Real life does not happen in neatly organized phases. Throughout the life of a disaster (especially looking at many organizations playing different roles) these phases can occur simultaneously, repeat themselves, vary greatly in length and intensity, and they garner wildly different levels of political interest and financial support. Packaging and portraying these phases as happening as a smoothly flowing, harmonious cycle perpetuates multiple myths.
Finally, Myth #4 is actually a collection of extraordinary tales that could all be labeled “The End is Near!” There are lots of television shows, comic strips, movies, books, articles and news stories about the end of the Mayan calendar, as well as an asteroid potentially hitting the Earth. This has spawned a rash of interest in “doomsday” scenarios and “what if” dramas. These stories are picked up and spread around because they are sensational, and they spawn funny spoofs — not because they are true, reasonable or useful. Scientists refute them. Emergency managers have to address them. And scam artists absolutely love them.
If you need help with going fear-free or with providing training designed for diverse communities, remember — CARD can help! Feel free to post your favorite preparedness myth or misconception on our Facebook page to see how others have handled it.
National Preparedness Month #NPM
