State Department of Health to conduct emergency preparedness survey this month
Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Hawaiʻi District Health Office will conduct a survey to assess household emergency preparedness and the impacts of natural disasters on household health in
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Hawaiʻi District Health Office will conduct a survey to assess household emergency preparedness and the impacts of natural disasters on household health in the Kona, Kohala, and Hāmākua districts next week.
The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey in Hawaiʻi County allows the Hawaiʻi District Health Office to assess household public health emergency preparedness and evacuation plans, as well as understand household awareness and concerns.
This follows a similar Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey conducted in the Hilo, Puna, and Kaʻū districts in May 2025, which informed ongoing Hurricane Lala response and recovery efforts. The new survey will engage communities not included in last year’s survey.
“Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response surveys have been used for years across the state, elevating the community’s voice in emergency preparedness,” said Dr. John Kolman, district health officer, Hawaiʻi District Health Office. “Our communities have experienced a lot in the past year – severe weather, earthquakes, and wildfires. The rigorous information we gather through the survey will enable the Hawaiʻi District Health Office and Hawaiʻi County to better meet our communities’ needs before, during, and after a disaster.”
Survey teams will go door to door in 30 randomly selected census blocks. Seven households within each block will be randomly selected for a total of 210 household-level surveys. Teams are primarily composed of Department of Health staff, with support from local volunteer agencies as available.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and participation is voluntary. All responses are confidential; no names or addresses will be collected. Selected households will be asked about prior disaster impacts, their emergency and evacuation plans, awareness of and concerns related to infectious diseases, and general health and well-being.
Team members will wear vests identifying themselves as part of the Department of Health survey team and will carry identification cards. Selected households may also choose to complete the survey by phone.
The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey methodology was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rapidly assess the health and resource needs of a community following a disaster.
