Learning Objective #1: Demonstrate understanding of individual family preparedness in a community

Learning Objective #2: Demonstrate understanding of the nurse’s role in providing training, education, and information that contributes to a family’s preparedness

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Design: This is a non-experimental descriptive study assessing family preparedness, in the home, for terrorism and disasters, and the perceived need for specific training, education, and information that can be provided by the nurse in a community. Concept: The campaign currently used by the Department of Homeland Security to prepare individuals for responding to terrorism and disasters is a family approach. A previous survey indicated that 36% of individuals have an emergency supply kit, 24% have a family emergency plan, and 16% have sought addition information about what to do in an emergency. The purpose of this study is to survey a community to determine their readiness and identify additional areas of opportunity to assist families in the community with preparedness activities. Research Questions: How does the individual family's knowledge, skill and attitude relate to their preparedness for terrorism and disaster? What other training, education, and information do individual families need to be prepared, in the home, for terrorism and disasters that may occur in their community? Site/Population: A community of 7,386 people with 2,817 households, located in southeastern United States will be used for the study. The average family size is 3.06. The median age of residents is 33.6 years. Per capita income is $20,689. Methodology: An investigator designed instrument will be used. A questionnaire of likert and open-ended questions will be made available to all households in a community. Participants can respond by mailing the completed questionnaire back to the researchers or by answering the questionnaire on a provided website. Findings: The study will be complete by June 1, 2005 and findings will be reported at the Sigma Theta Tau International Congress Implications: Implications will be based on findings and will address the individual family's responsibility and the nurse's role in family / community education.