Australia is a fantastic example that even a first world country is not exempt from disasters which you should prepare for. I agree, I do think there really is an attitude that because we're a first world modern country everything is in place to save you from disaster so you don't need to worry about it. When the time comes you'll be told what to do and kept safe, but the truth is that there is only so much others can do.
We are ill-prepared as a country and most people are less prepared from a personal perspective. Makes no sense to me, but if people choose to be victims there's not much I, or anyone else, can do. It happens all over the world and often it's only when it is too late that people think about it...Most then never make any changes moving forward.