Survey being conducted to improve disaster response efforts

Douglas County officials are asking those impacted by last month’s tornadoes to take a survey aiming to improve emergency responses in the future.

The Douglas County Health Department is partnering with the University of Nebraska Medical Center to conduct a Douglas County post-tornado needs assessment.

Officials hope the survey will provide insight as to how people were impacted by tornadoes on April 26, including how they were warned, what their remaining needs are and what responders can do to aid in the recovery process.

Households in the areas most severely impacted by the tornado should receive a postcard in the coming days with information and a QR code to take them to the survey. The cards will feature the Douglas County Health Department and UNMC logos. Recipients are asked to follow the instructions on the card to participate. A phone number will also be provided for those who prefer to contact the survey staff directly. The survey is available in both English and Spanish. Anyone with questions about the survey can call the Douglas County Health Department at (402) 444-3400.

A press release from the Douglas County Health Department asked anyone who receives a postcard to consider filling it out, even if they weren’t directly impacted by the tornado.

The needs assessment was developed based on previous surveys used nationwide in similar situations, with input from multiple government and non-governmental partners. The Douglas County Health Department and UNMC hope to gather first-hand information that will help public health and emergency management officials decide how to allocate resources and learn where additional responses are needed. Participation is voluntary, and identities of those who take the survey will be kept confidential.