11/02/2006: "Survey Underway On SJC Preparedness"

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management has started a multiphase project to objectively assess family/individual preparedness within San Juan County and The Town of Friday Harbor.

James Kellogg, Preparedness Educator for the Department of Emergency Management, offered his thoughts on the survey initiative: "This project will help us to better understand the baseline needs of our community, to determine how we can best meet those needs, and to assess the effectiveness of our preparedness programs. I know we are all busy, but the time and effort put in by members of our community will help us to ensure that fewer citizens will be catastrophically affected by the hazards that threaten our island community."

Participation in the survey is completely voluntary, and all contact information is strictly confidential. Such information is only used for purposes of survey contact and follow-up. Individual responses are completely anonymous, and are used to create a general picture of the preparedness levels within San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor.

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The decision to engage in this process of scientific research was made to assist the Department of Emergency Management in its goal of actively promoting school, government, and citizen disaster preparedness and self-sufficiency.

To facilitate accurate and professional results, the Department of Emergency Management has partnered with a leading regional research company for all phases of this survey. Applied Research Northwest, based in Bellingham, WA, has over ten years of experience in the field of scientific social research.

The project consists of three phases: recruitment, an online baseline survey, and an online follow-up survey. Recruitment for this study is already underway.

For more information about this survey, disaster preparedness, or to schedule a visit by a preparedness expert to come talk to your neighborhood, business, or other organization, please visit www.sanjuandem.net, email prepare@sanjuandem.net,or call 378-9932.