CHICAGO, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Chicago-based McCormick Tribune Foundation found in a recent survey Americans would turn to the fictional character MacGyver for help during a tragedy.
A new disaster preparedness poll conducted by the McCormick Tribune Foundation found that more than one in four Americans facing a disaster would most like the fictional help of ABC-TV series character MacGyver. Foundation officials say the survey was an effort to take a lighthearted approach in order to draw attention to a serious need for Americans to become better prepared for disasters.
"While we would want help from MacGyver or any fictional hero during an emergency situation, the reality is we need to be prepared," said retired Brig. Gen. David L. Grange, president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, in a statement. "By being prepared, individuals and communities can handle the initial 72 hours after a disaster and may serve as temporary alternatives to government resources."
Recent catastrophic events have shown that essential government services may be disrupted for some period of time and first responders may be overwhelmed.
In the survey MacGyver received 27 percent of votes for fictional help in an emergency, beating out Harrison Ford's character Indiana Jones and Bruce Willis' character John McClane in the "Die Hard" films.
The McCormick Tribune Foundation, in an effort to recognize the U.S. Homeland Security Department's designation of September as National Preparedness month, is urging people to have a disaster response plan and emergency kits ready in case of a disaster.
