The earthquake knowledge level and preparedness: Erzincan province

This study has been conducted in order to determine the earthquake knowledge and preparedness status of individuals living in Erzincan province which is among the most important cities in terms of earthquake hazard in Turkey. The research has been conducted by applying a questionnaire to 18 and older 400 adults living in the provincial center of Erzincan. Although "the earthquake knowledge point" means (82.17±17.24) of participants' was high, "the earthquake behavior point" means (36.27±23.83) was relatively low. It was found that while there was no significant difference between men and women in terms of knowledge point means, there was a statistically significant difference between them in terms of behavior point means. It was found that while there was no statistically significant difference between knowledge point means between married and bachelor, tenanted and owner-occupants, higher monthly income and lower monthly income, there was statistically significant difference between their behavior point means. While the participants' knowledge about "home first aid kit and fire extinguisher should be kept" was high, turning this knowledge to behavior rate was low. In the research, it was determined that the participants' rate of feeling themselves ready to earthquake (%6.2) was considerably low.As a result, it was found that earthquake knowledge point means of individuals' living in Erzincan province was high but their behavior point means was low. Practical training should be provided through public and private organizations towards turning earthquake knowledge of individuals to behavior. Keywords: Disaster, Earthquake, Earthquake Knowledge Level, Erzincan, Preparedness