One way FEMA helps individuals, organizations, and communities prepare is by connecting them with research and tools to build and sustain capabilities. The agency conducts research to better understand effective preparedness actions and ways to motivate the public to take those actions.
Research Conducted
Below are examples of the research FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division has conducted.
National Household Survey
FEMA conducts the annual National Household Survey to track progress in personal disaster preparedness. The research findings support the growth and improvement of national preparedness programs and initiatives.
The survey also:
- Measures the public’s degree of preparedness for the hazards they are likely to face
- Measures the public’s awareness, attitudes and experiences that can motivate actions to prepare
- Identifies successful mechanisms for enhancing preparedness as well as areas that need improvement
Protective Action Research
FEMA conducts research to help people prepare for, protect against, and respond to disaster by providing current, validated guidance for decision-making.
FEMA assessed more than 380 protective actions based on 275 research studies and articles by dozens of subject-matter experts covering 12 natural hazards.
"Protective actions" include topics such as:
View all Protective Actions Research
