Vulnerability Assessment of Rural Emergency Response Capacity from a Risk–Capacity Matching Perspective: A Pathway to Sustainable Development

As the “last mile” of emergency management, rural emergency response capability vulnerability assessment is crucial for strengthening emergency systems. A three-dimensional vulnerability assessment framework was developed from a risk–capacity matching perspective, comprising exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Taking four typical rural areas as case studies, we applied the comprehensive vulnerability index, the coupling coordination degree model, and the obstacle degree model to quantify vulnerability, analyze risk–capability matching, and identify obstacle factor patterns. The results show that (1) the quality of risk–capability matching determines the level of vulnerability; (2) high coupling produces a dual amplification effect, whose direction depends on matching quality; and (3) economic foundations set the upper resource limit for capacity building, while topographical conditions shape baseline risk pressure. The interaction of these two factors drives the spatial distribution of obstacle factors across villages. This study positions rural emergency response capacity as a core safety dimension for sustainable development, thereby providing a robust foundation for rural sustainability.