Public Perception and Attitude towards Evacuation Drills and Emergency Safety Awareness: A Survey of Romanian Citizens

Romania is exposed to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards, including earthquakes and floods, making public preparedness and evacuation awareness important components of emergency management. This paper examines how Romanian citizens perceive evacuation drills and emergency safety measures. The study is based on an online survey completed by 256 respondents through SurveyMonkey and distributed via social media and local community networks. The questionnaire explored participants’ familiarity with evacuation procedures, previous participation in drills, perceived emergency risks, emotional reactions during drills and emergency situations, trust in public authorities and personal preparedness levels. The results indicate that although many respondents are generally familiar with evacuation procedures, fewer are able to identify evacuation routes or assembly points accurately. Most participants had previously taken part in evacuation drills, but levels of preparedness and information retention differed significantly between respondents. The study also identified emotional responses such as anxiety, irritation and indifference during evacuation exercises, suggesting that current drills may not realistically reflect emergency conditions. Furthermore, moderate levels of trust in authorities were identified, influencing respondents’ willingness to comply with official evacuation guidance. The findings suggest the need for more practical and realistic evacuation training, clearer public communication and improved preparedness programs aimed at increasing community resilience and public safety in Romania.