A new study by Jonas Grossmann, Sophie Lacher, Matthias Rohs, and Luca Fliegener examines the state of private disaster preparedness in Germany—and why gaps in preparedness cannot be explained solely by a lack of awareness of the issue. The article “Household disaster preparedness in Germany: The roles of preparedness engagement and living conditions” is published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , one of the most internationally renowned journals in the field of disaster research. Publication in this high-impact, peer-reviewed journal underscores the international visibility and scientific relevance of the research conducted by the research group at the intersection of adult education and civil protection.

Based on a nationwide face-to-face survey of over 1,000 people (survey conducted in June 2024 by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research), the team examines the extent to which differences in household preparedness can be attributed to a conscious engagement with the topic of disaster preparedness—or whether they are rather rooted in unequal living conditions. Using a jointly estimated structural equation model, the study distinguishes three dimensions of preparedness: supplies (essential supplies), equipment (emergency equipment), and skills (emergency skills).

Key Findings

• Only 46% of respondents have sufficient basic supplies (water and non-perishable food), and only 17% have the necessary emergency equipment (lighting, off-grid heating, and cooking).
• A conscious engagement with the topic of preparedness (“Preparedness Engagement”) is positively correlated with better preparedness in all three areas—but only partially explains the observed social differences.
• Younger adults (ages 16–29) demonstrate significantly lower engagement and weaker basic preparedness than older age groups.
• Households with children and multi-person households have significantly more supplies and equipment—regardless of individual engagement.
• Rural areas and smaller settlements are particularly conducive to equipment preparedness, presumably due to more storage space and access to off-grid options.

Focus: Emergency-Related Skills

The findings on emergency skills —that is, practical skills such as first aid, cooking without electricity, and extinguishing small fires—are particularly revealing. Here, the strongest correlation with conscious engagement is evident across all three dimensions of preparedness, pointing to the particular importance of learning and educational processes for acquiring these skills. At the same time, the most pronounced gender differences emerge here: Men report having these skills significantly more often, though this difference is largely attributed not to differing levels of engagement but to unequal access to learning and practical contexts (e.g., vocational training, volunteer work, military or civilian service). The picture is also nuanced when it comes to age-related effects: Younger adults are more likely to have first-aid skills—presumably due to the mandatory training required to obtain a driver’s license—while older adults are more likely to report being able to cook without electricity, which is more likely due to everyday routines.

Conclusion of the Study

The authors advocate for a two-pronged prevention strategy: Risk communication should raise awareness of problems without triggering fears that offer no prospects for action—and at the same time be supplemented by structural support, such as low-threshold services, accessible first-aid and emergency training, and targeted assistance for households with limited resources. Social resilience, the central message states, cannot rely solely on individual commitment.

Citation: Grossmann, J., Lacher, S., Rohs, M., & Fliegener, L. (2026). Household disaster preparedness in Germany: The roles of preparedness engagement and living conditions. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2026.106343