| This study was a cross-sectional study of leadership and staff of a public school system in Georgia concerning their temperament type, emergency management motivation and emergency management knowledge in relation to Emergency Management/Crisis performance (ERCM).;The study consisted of an inclusive questionnaire that contains questions on four key areas of interest: personality temperament, motivation to participate in emergency management preparation, demographics (personal and experience) and emergency management education. Key to this study was the determination of the temperament of staff. The 4-Lenses Keirsey Temperament test was included in the questionnaire to determine Temperament type. Motivation was defined by the hours (time) a staff member was willing to commit to emergency planning. Emergency management education was assessed through the random use of five questions taken from the FEMA IS-362 course. Respondents' correct answers ranged from 0 to 5. Demographics were recorded for each respondent. Factors such as gender, marriage status, educational level, etc. were compared with temperament type to determine the effect on emergency management motivation and education test scores.;The study revealed that there is a strong difference in emergency management motivation between the levels of school systems. Emergency management motivation was found to be significantly higher in the faculty and staff in elementary level schools when compared to Secondary Schools, B = -.336, p < .001. Only one Temperament, Artisan, showed significance as a predictor of motivation among faculty and staff of elementary level schools when compared to faculty and staff of Secondary level schools, (B = -.177, p < .001).;A surprise finding of the study revealed that respondents maintaining an emergency kit was a significant predictor of one's motivation to participate in emergency management, B = .156, p = .028. In addition, the Education Test scores was a predictor of motivation, B = .617, p < .001.;This was the first study that demonstrated the interrelationships between Temperament Type, personal demographics, motivation, and current level of emergency management education. The study revealed significance of higher emergency management motivation in the elementary versus middle and high school levels. And, the study validated the emphasis on recognizing special backgrounds of individuals that would be valuable in emergency preparation, response, and recovery. |
