Shelters, warning sirens and emergency procedures are all essential elements of public safety. But when faced with a real threat, will we know what to do? Why do we so often ignore warnings, and what role can local authorities play in building societal resilience? These are the questions we explore in the second episode of the Łukasiewicz – ITECH Podcast.
In the latest episode, entitled “Building Local Resilience: Local Government as a Catalyst for Social Trust in Times of Hybrid Conflict”, host Szymon Kępka is joined by Professor Artur Wołek, DSc, and Radosław Zyzik, PhD, both from Ignatianum University in Krakow. The discussion draws on a report examining how local resilience can be strengthened and the role of social trust in times of crisis.
One of the central themes of the discussion is the gap between knowing how to respond to a threat and actually taking action. As Radosław Zyzik, PhD, explains, even when we are familiar with emergency procedures, we do not always put that knowledge into practice. We often assume that danger will not affect us personally and tend to interpret warning signals as part of everyday life. In psychology, these mechanisms are known as optimism bias and normalcy bias.
The experts also draw on the experiences of residents in the Lublin region, where the sounding of warning sirens did not always prompt an immediate response. Rather than seeking shelter, people tried to establish what was happening by contacting friends and acquaintances, checking social media and looking for reliable information.
In such situations, trust in local institutions becomes particularly important. As the guests emphasise, nationwide warning systems are essential, but people also need timely, clear and precise information from sources they know and trust. Local authorities can play a crucial role in communicating vital information, countering disinformation and coordinating responses at the local level.
The discussion also explores how societal resilience can be strengthened before a crisis occurs. The experts highlight the potential of volunteer fire brigades, civil society organisations, local leaders and neighbourhood networks. They emphasise that investment in protective infrastructure should go hand in hand with practical training, developing emergency response skills and strengthening social ties.
“Trust is what will help us most,” concludes Professor Artur Wołek, DSc. As he points out, a resilient community is one that understands the resources available locally, knows how to work together and knows who it can turn to for help when faced with a threat.
We invite you to watch or listen to the second episode of the Łukasiewicz – ITECH Podcast. The discussion highlights why building resilience and security requires more than infrastructure and procedures: it also depends on trust, cooperation and well-prepared local communities.
The episode is available on our YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple Podcast.