by Playfuls Staff |
16th January 2007
A University of Illinois study suggests rural U.S. areas are better prepared for disasters such as storms, [more] earthquakes and terrorism than are urban areas.
However, the study showed although rural residents may be more directly involved in responding to crisis, their location makes them more vulnerable.
Assistant Professor Courtney Flint and student Joanne Rinaldi interviewed 20 emergency coordinators across Illinois to determine what they are doing, what disasters they're prepared for and what they do between disasters.
"What we've learned so far is that in rural communities there is a tradition of being more self-reliant," said Flint. "They're off the grid, so that makes them check on each other more, but they are also uniquely situated, closer in some ways to the physical environment and more isolated, making them uniquely vulnerable."
While people in urban communities ask questions about liability, Flint says rural dwellers say, "We can't wait around for funding. If we need bandages, we'll just start ripping up old bed sheets."
"Farm families have to keep going," said Flint. "They are more prepared for disaster. They have generators, kerosene heaters, snow plows and other equipment."
© 2007 UPI
