A Nation Together for Preparedness
While preparedness is often highlighted by western governments through the use of preparedness holidays, I can't help but let out a light-hearted chuckle when I see the annual ad drive. It's the usual banter about food, water, and flashlights. But as quickly as it begins, the off-channel messaging ends and we're right back to square one. But what would happen if the education started early, if materials were made available by their governments, and people were aligned on everyday preparedness? Well, it would look a lot like South Korea.
FROM THE GROUND UP
Without any intention or focus, I couldn't help but notice South Korea's eye for everyday preparedness. And while I was a bit taken back at first, a little extra rooting revealed that it was more than just a fad. Early education is geared towards creating capable citizens, even taking the time to train their young on the use of fire extinguishers and other safety measures. This isn't just in school but dotted throughout their entertainment. They have cartoons about citizen safety (see: Robocar Poli), and interactive areas of play that put these skills to use. At a museum, I watched kids work their way through a maze requiring each child to sweep an RFID-laden fire extinguisher across a fire hazard. Enjoyable as it may have been, it was greasing the groove in those young minds.
WHEN EVERYONE IS ONBOARD
With shared values and social constructs in place, it is easy to see how the government is able to support their message of preparedness. While I would hate to speak for your hometown, something as mundane as a flashlight would walk off real quick in my city, not to mention what would happen to a fire extinguisher in the open. No matter where you looked, it was easy to see that South Korea was prioritizing citizen safety. This was no more apparent than when riding the subway, where materials were readily available, and videos played throughout to notify passengers of what to do in the event of emergency. To support this effort, fire extinguishers were liberally dotted throughout each train and station, flashlights were mounted, and cabinets were full of sealed gasmasks, first aid, food, water, and the occasional SCUBA unit for extended use. Even beyond the subway, I couldn't go five minutes without seeing their efforts in play. All unlocked and unattended.
JUST ANOTHER DAY
Whether a hotel escape ladder or fire extinguishers near a busy intersection, it is easy to see that South Korea is taking their everyday preparedness seriously. While it would be foolhardy to discount their war-footing as a contributing factor to their preparedness - including shelters and mandatory military service - it comes down to the people to uphold a state of readiness. Without a shared social responsibility, none of it would be possible. Now, we may not all have the ability to stretch this awareness cross-country, but perhaps there's an opportunity to scale down within our own families and communities. A city of nine-million or a family of five, so long as the mission and values are there, anything is possible.