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“yes”. However, only 52% of farmers carry their mobile phone with them at all times.
Of those participants that always carry their mobile phone, 34% said they do not al-
ways have an active connection in their area.
Participation during the evacuation exercise was rather high with 68% of partici-
pants stating they did take part. Their reasons for participation included:
• It is part of my duties as an Icelandic citizen;
• I took part in the evacuation for my own safety and my family's;
• I thought it would be good for people to know how to act;
• I wanted to participate to check how long it would take us to prepare but we did
not complete the whole list on the evacuation sign; and
• I did take part but I did not really gain anything from it.
Those who did not take part clarifi ed their actions by stating:
• Too tired and sick;
• I was at work but everyone else in the house took part;
• We would have participated if we had received the evacuation message; and
• Not interested as I do not perceive that I will be in danger.
Despite some people's negativity toward the evacuation exercise of those who did
participate 82% of them were positive about the exercise.
Thirty minutes was deemed enough time to complete the list as described on the
evacuation sign (Figure 2) before evacuating their property by 52% of participants. Of
the 48% that stated no or do not know they responded with:
• It is not enough time if you have to let the animals out (as per the instructions);
• 30 min is not enough time for farmers;
• 30 min may not be enough depending where I am on the farm; and
• It depends if the kids are at home from school and if I am at work in Hvolsvöllur
then I would have to drive back to the house to collect them.
Table 3.
Participant responses from Sect 3: Questions on Katla information meetings, evacuation
plan, evacuation exercise, and hazard information available in the media. All data are given as a
percentage.
None
One
Two
Three
How many Katla information meetings did
you attend?
55
29
4
12
How many evacuation messages did you
receive on the March 26, 2006?
69
19
6
6
Ye s
N o
If you did not receive any messages did you
receive a phone call to the landline or your
mobile phone?
51
49
Do you always carry your mobile phone with
you?
68
32
