Title: Terrorism preparedness in Canada: a public survey on perceived institutional and individual response to terrorism

Authors: Louise Lemyre, Jennifer E.C. Lee, Michelle C. Turner, Daniel Krewski

Addresses: Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Room 312, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. ' Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Room 312, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. ' McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Room 318A, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. ' McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Room 320, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract: Although much effort has recently been expended on evaluating and improving terrorism preparedness among Canadian federal, provincial, and local institutions, less attention has been given to understanding the public|s view of these initiatives. The national public survey of perceived chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism threat and preparedness was conducted specifically with this aim. Since emergency preparedness is considered a shared responsibility between governments, communities, and individuals in Canada, the survey assessed Canadians| views regarding the level of preparedness of institutions at all levels, as well as the extent to which they have personally taken measures to prepare for a possible attack. Findings reveal that respondents perceived governmental institutions as less prepared for terrorist events than emergency or response institutions. Respondents also reported having taken few measures to prepare for themselves. Perceptions of institutional preparedness and individual preparedness differed significantly by demographic groups, with many observed gender differences.

Keywords: terrorism threat; chemical terrorism; biological terrorism; radiological terrorism; nuclear terrorism; CBRN; preparedness; emergency management; Canada; government; socio-demographics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2007.013995

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2007 Vol.4 No.2, pp.296 - 315

Published online: 07 Jun 2007 *

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