This survey is about public perceptions and opinions regarding natural hazards in Wheeler County. In addition, we would like information regarding the methods and techniques you prefer for reducing the risks and losses associated with these hazards. The information you provide will be used to help improve public/private coordination, mitigation, and risk reduction efforts in your county, and assist with drafting the Wheeler County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. The NHMP identifies hazards, vulnerabilities and risks facing a local, state or tribal government and prioritizes actions to reduce the risk, and is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be revised every five years.  This survey is anonymous, and should take less than 30 minutes to complete.
NATURAL HAZARDS INFORMATION:
First we would like to know about your experiences involving natural hazards and your exposure to preparedness information.

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* 1. During the past five years in Wheeler County, have you or someone in your household directly experienced a natural disaster such as an earthquake, severe windstorm, flood, wildfire, or other type of natural disaster?

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* 2. If  you answered YES to the previous question, which of these natural disasters have you or someone in your household experienced in the past five years?

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* 3. How concerned are you about the following natural disasters affecting Wheeler County?

  Not concerned Not very concerned Neutral Somewhat concerned Very concerned
Drought
Earthquake
Flood
Wildfire
Volcanic Eruption
Windstorm
Winter Storm

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* 4. Have you ever received information about how to make members of your household and your home safer from natural disasters?

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* 5. If you answered "yes" from whom did you last receive information about how to make members of your household and your home safer from natural disasters?

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* 6. Whom would you most trust to provide you with information about how to make your household and home safer from natural disasters?

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* 7. What is the most effective way for you to receive information about how to make your household and home safer from natural disasters? (Please select up to three)

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* 8.  Prior to receiving this survey, were you aware of your county’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP)?

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* 9. Prior to receiving this survey, were you aware that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires your county to update the NHMP every five years in order for your county to be eligible for federal pre-and post-disaster hazard mitigation funds?

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* 10. COMMUNITY VULNERABILITIES AND HAZARD MITIGATION STRATEGIES

In order to assess community risk, we need to understand which community assets may be vulnerable to natural hazards in the region. Vulnerable assets are those community features, characteristics, or resources that may be impacted by natural hazards (e.g., populations with functional needs, economic components, environmental resources, etc.). The next set of questions will focus on vulnerable assets in your community and your preferred strategies to mitigate risk to those assets.

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* 11. Community assets are features, characteristics, or resources that either make a community unique or allow the community to function. In your opinion, which of the following categories are most susceptible to the impacts caused by natural hazards in your county? (please rank the community assets in order of vulnerability, 1 being most vulnerable and 6 being least vulnerable)

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* 12. Next we would like to know what specific types of community assets are most important to you.  

  Not Important Not Very Important Neutral Somewhat Important Very Important
Elder-Care Facilities
Schools (K-12)
Hospitals
Major Bridges
Fire/Police Stations
Museums/Historic Buildings
Major Employers
Small Businesses
College/University
City Hall/Courthouse

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* 13. A number of activities can reduce your community’s risk from natural hazards. These activities can be both regulatory and non-regulatory. Please select the option that best represents your opinion of the following strategies to reduce the risk and loss associated with natural disasters.

  Not Sure Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
I support a regulatory approach to reducing risk.
I support a non-regulatory approach to reducing risk.
I support a mix of both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to reducing risk.
I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards.
I support the use of tax dollars (federal and/or local) to compensate landowners for not developing in areas subject to natural hazards.
I support the use of local tax dollars to reduce risks and losses from natural disasters.
I support protecting historical and cultural structures.
I would be willing to make my home more disaster-resilient.
I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event.
I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools.
I support a local inventory of at-risk buildings and infrastructure.
I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions.

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* 14. Natural hazards can have a significant impact on a community but planning for these events can help lessen the impacts. The following statements will help determine citizen priorities regarding planning for natural hazards in your county. Please tell us how important each one is to you.

  Not Important Not Very Important Neutral Somewhat Important Very Important
Protecting private property.
Protecting critical facilities (e.g., transportation networks, hospitals, fire stations).
Preventing development in hazard areas.
Enhancing the function of natural features (e.g., streams, wetlands).
Protecting historical and cultural landmarks.
Protecting and reducing damage to utilities.
Strengthening emergency services (e.g. police, fire and ambulance).
Disclosing natural hazard risks during real estate transactions.
Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits and businesses.

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* 15. MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Households can mitigate and prepare for natural hazards in order to prevent damage to property, injuries, and loss of life. The precautions you take and training you receive can make a big difference in your ability to recover from a natural disaster or emergency. Access to basic services, such as electricity, gas, water, telephones and emergency care may be cut off temporarily or you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The following questions focus on your household’s preparedness for disaster events.

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* 16. In the following list, please check those activities that you have done in your household, plan to do in the near future, have not done or are unable to do.

  Unable to do Not done Plan to do Have done
Attended meetings or received written information on natural disasters or emergency preparedness?
Talked with members in your household about what to do in case of a natural disaster or emergency?
Developed a "Household/Family Emergency Plan" in order to decide what everyone would do in the event of a disaster?
Prepared a "Disaster Supply Kit" (stored extra food, water, batteries or other emergency supplies?)
In the last year, has anyone in your household been trained in First Aid or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?
Prepared your home by having smoke detectors on each level of the house?
Discussed or created a utility shutoff procedure in the event of a natural disaster?

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* 17. GENERAL HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

Finally, we would appreciate any information you are willing to share with us about you and your household. This information will remain confidential and is for survey comparison purposes only.

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* 18. Please indicate your age

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* 19. Gender

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* 20. Please indicate your level of education

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* 21. What is your total household income? 

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* 22. What area of the county do you live in? 

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* 23. Please specify your race

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* 24. Please specify your ethnicity:

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* 25. How long have you lived in the County? 

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* 26. Do you own or rent your home? 

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* 27. Do you own/rent a: 

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* 28. Please feel free to provide any additional comments in the space below: 

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