County residents to participate in telephone, disaster evacuation study to assist emergency management
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Santa Rosa County Emergency Management is working in conjunction with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, regional planning councils and panhandle county governments in an evacuation study for the region. Local resident input will be collected via a telephone survey, began during the week of January 21. This study is part of a larger statewide study intended to better prepare the people of Florida for a safe evacuation in the event of an approaching hurricane or other disaster. Residents are encouraged to participate in the survey by providing information on their personal evacuation plans. The identities of survey participants will be confidential.

Emergency Management Director Sheryl Bracewell explains the importance of participating if called, "I understand that approximately 400 residents of Santa Rosa County should be called in the next two weeks. I urge everyone to participate. The information provided will help us respond to our community's specific and unique evacuation needs and evaluate needs and impacts statewide."

Residents participating in the survey will be asked how they intend to respond if an evacuation becomes necessary in their community and how they have responded in past evacuations, among other questions.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact Santa Rosa County Division of Emergency Management at 850-983-5360.