L'Aquila, earthquake of 6 April 2009: a turning point in the educational strategies for seismic risk reduction.

Abstract

This work compares the experience of the EDURISK Project (www.edurisk.it), educational programs on risk reduction, achieved before and after the L’Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy) earthquake of April 6, 2009. The main elements of the educational process proposed in "peacetime" are critically analyzed and compared with the experience of the emergency (April-September 2009). On this basis, new educational programs have been developed to answer to the new cognitive and emotional needs of schools and people in the post-earthquake. The study also presents preliminary results of a survey on perception of risk conducted after 2009 April 6th earthquake in 4 affected areas in Abruzzo (Italy) on a sample of about 500 teachers (12 schools of all types and levels). The research design combines a quality life, psychometric, and cultural theoretic approach. The subjects were assessed using: the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-Bref); a Post-Ante Earthquake Questionnaire (F. La Longa and M. Crescimbene), to compare some aspects of daily life and opinions before and after the earthquake; Input and Output EDURISK Project Questionnaire, given at the beginning and at the end of the Project. Data on risk perception and awareness is considered to be fundamental to determine the behavior towards risks and decision making, in order to develop effective information and risk educational programs.