Research of Students’ Cartographical Knowledge in Early Warning and Crisis Management

Abstract

European Union and other developed countries are discussing ways to reinforce their disaster response capacity. The wide activities portfolio is intended to improve the European civil protection response capacity. A European Disaster Response Training Network has been developed with high standards of preparedness, self-sufficiency and interoperability in order to increase the European level of training and scientific knowledge dealing with natural hazards and disasters issues (COM 2008). We suppose that the fundamental way to sustainably improve the training process should involve education and preparation tailored to different levels of schools. In order to accomplish this, we must first know the level of knowledge, understanding, skills, ability and preparation of students for crisis situations. This chapter describes the results of an investigation of the possible response of students for early warning and crisis situations as regards their cartographical knowledge. The study was conducted in four European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, among three student groups: 12–13-year-old students in secondary schools, 17–18-year-old students in high schools and university students. We present the study and analyses of the results based on questionnaire investigations. Using these, we draw conclusions about the students’ knowledge and preparedness for crisis situations. The study clearly shows that mapping and cartography can greatly help these youths. To achieve this, cartographers should use the students’ ideas in map design.