These are just a few of the interesting findings you'll discover in a recent public safety survey entitled Uncovering the Safety Concerns of America.  Published this past December through a partnership between Safe America Foundation and Federal Signal Corporation, and produced by the highly regarded Zogby International market research and opinion polling firm, the study was conducted as part of an effort to uncover Americans' chief concerns and most likely behaviors in response to an emergency situation. 

It wasn't long ago that government agencies responsible for issuing warnings and alerts to the general public depended exclusively on outdoor sirens and radio and television broadcasts.  Today's emergency managers, however, have a broad spectrum of communication technologies and messaging formats available to them.   

When it comes to natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes, exactly what does it take to make sure everyone heeds the warning signals, and takes immediate and appropriate action?  To cite the recent example of the tsunami that swept over the northern part of Japan in the wake of a 9.0 earthquake, even dire warnings of impending devastation that date back centuries apparently aren't enough to prompt people to take the necessary precautions in the event of a natural disaster.

Complex warning alerts and messages, or an excess number of scenarios and action plans could well add to the confusion of what is inherently a confusing emergency situation.