Why some ignore public health disaster warnings.

This article was written as a course requirement in the Masters of Homeland Security Public Health Preparedness curriculum. The authors spell out the many reasons why people have ignored evacuation orders in the face of impending disasters, risking injury and death, and putting first responders and rescuers at greater risk. Public apathy, however does not relieve their leaders of the task of using mass notification and other methods to inform them of risks, employ effective persuasion methods, or responding to emergencies.