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Perception of threat was not related to hearing about or participating in emergency preparedness <br />• programs, demographic characteristics, or social connectivity. While there was some indication of increased <br />threat of terrorist activity during the weeks of the State Fair, in general, residents reported that the threat of <br />terrorist attack in Falcon Heights was highly unlikely. Of the three threat scenarios, the greatest proportion of <br />residents agreed that a tornado was most the likely event in Falcon Heights. People who live in areas that are <br />frequently threatened by natural disasters may be more likely to acknowledge that a threat exists and take <br />necessary protective measures (Lindell & Perry, 1992). Since tornados are not rare occurrences in the region, <br />residents may acknowledge that the threat is real and understand the likelihood of such a disaster taking place <br />in their community. <br />Most respondents receive much of their information about Falcon Heights from the quarterly city <br />newsletter and local papers. Promoting programs and events through these media will give the city the most <br />"bang for their buck" when reaching their residents. Since many residents get information about Falcon <br />Heights from the quarterly city newsletter, it may be beneficial to distribute it more frequently than four times <br />• a year. Surprisingly, no respondents reported getting information from the city flyer delivered monthly to their <br />homes. This may mean that they truly do not get information from this source, that the flyer does not get <br />delivered to their home, or it may suggest that there is confusion between the city flyer and the city newsletter. <br />Young residents who rent homes or apartments are the least socially connected in the city and hence, <br />the most difficult to reach. Local newspapers and the quarterly city newsletter should be used as media for <br />reaching this population since many report using these for information about Falcon Heights. Not surprisingly, <br />personal sources of information such as neighbors or the Neighborhood Liaison were cited the least in this <br />population as methods of receiving information about Falcon Heights. Since "word-of-mouth" sources of <br />information are among the most frequently cited sources for residents who heard about emergency <br />preparedness trainings, focused effort should be made to socially engage young residents who reside in rental <br />units. Also, increased promotion of the Neighborhood Liaison in neighborhoods with young renters should be <br />a priority. This is especially important since all young residents who know their Liaison agreed to both social <br />connectivity variables. <br /> <br />~9 <br />