Improving Citizen Response Improving Citizen Response
Improving Citizen Response to Tornado Warnings Steve Seddig Wylie Fire Rescue, Wylie, Texas
An applied research project submitted to the National Fire Academy as part of the Executive Fire Officer Program

September 2009

Improving Citizen Response Certification Statement
I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product, that where the language of other is set forth, quotation marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit given where I have used the language, ideas, expressions or writing of another.
Signed ____________________________________
Improving Citizen Response Abstract The problem was that the tornado warning methods fail to elicit the optimum response from the citizens of Wylie. The purpose of this research was the implementation of an effective
tornado warning system for the City of Wylie, which includes written procedures and designated assignments, specifies the hazard, notifies citizens of the nature of the emergency, and identifies the desired response. The use of action research focused on tornado warnings in an effort to improve this organizations ability to warn citizens, and implement a comprehensive plan and procedure for tornado warnings in Wylie. A literature review was conducted of scholarly journals, books, web sites, and the City of Wylie Emergency Management Plan. Procedures included stakeholder meetings conducted with Wylie Emergency Management personnel to develop a questionnaire for dissemination to emergency managers located throughout North Central Texas. Stakeholders also assisted in developing and disseminating a citizen survey. This survey instrument was made available to 40,000 City of Wylie citizens through sources routinely used by the City of Wylies, Public Information Officer to disseminate similar information. This research answered the following questions: 1) How does the public react to tornado warnings? 2) What safety information or training needs to be provided to the public, to get the desired result? 3) What tornado warning system or systems will provide the most positive response from Wylie citizens? The results demonstrated the need of a pre-scripted specific tornado warning, which was recommended and added to the current "Emergency Management Plan for City" (2005, p. A-6-1) for use with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and mass notification emergency warnings.
Improving Citizen Response
Also, goals were identified and recommended for producing an effective disaster preparedness education program and mass notification systems that Wylie citizens would be willing to use.
Improving Citizen Response Table of Contents
Abstract.... 3 Introduction..... 6 Background and Significance.... 7 Literature Review.... 10 Procedures..... 20 Results.... 22 Discussion..... 29 Figure 1. Emergency Manager Question number one chart.. 31 Figure 2. Citizens Tornado Warning Survey question eight.. 35 Recommendations.... 36 References..... 40 APPENDIX A.... 43 Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaire Cover Letter.. 43 APPENDIX B.... 44 Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaire.. 44 APPENDIX C.... 46 Tornado Warning Citizens Survey/Cover Letter... 46 APPENDIX D.... 47 Tornado Warning Citizens Survey.... 47 APPENDIX E.... 50 Pre-Scripted Tornado Warning Message (activation in conjunction with sirens, EAS, and Nixle)..... 50
Improving Citizen Response Improving Citizen Response to Tornado Warnings Introduction Within the City of Wylie, civil disaster warnings in general and tornado warnings specifically, fall under the direction and control of the Wylie Fire Department. The current tornado warning methods fail to elicit the optimum response from the citizens of Wylie. As smaller cities like Wylie grow, the fire department, because of its experience in day-to-day
emergencies and due to the absence of a dedicated emergency management department, serves as the de facto city-wide emergency manager. The existence of an effective, efficient tornado warning system becomes paramount during a crisis when time is short and lives are at stake. Current protocol in Wylie consists of two methods: outdoor warning sirens and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). A problem specific to Wylie is that citizens do not seek shelter after hearing the outdoor warning sirens and activating the EAS systems, but rather egress from the relative safety inside their homes to investigate and also call Wylie Public Safety Communications Center (WPSCC). This increases a citizens exposure to possible danger and results in a multitude of calls to WPSCC, creating an unusually high call load at the dispatch center, hampering dispatch service to firefighters and police. This problem increases public safetys exposure to danger and negatively effects emergency response capability. The purpose of this research is the implementation of an effectual tornado warning system for the City of Wylie, which includes written procedures and designated assignments, specifies the hazard, notifies citizens of the nature of the emergency, and identifies the desired response. This research developed out of the need to gain information from previous tornado warning experience in Wylie. Research utilized reviews of literature from scholarly sources, such

Improving Citizen Response as journals and periodicals, textbooks, professional practice standard sources, and original research in the form of surveys to citizens and emergency manager questionnaires to cities similar in size and situation. Extensive scholarly research was conducted on how humans respond to emergency warnings in an effort to understand this phenomenon. The use of action research will focus on the problems with tornado warnings in an effort to improve this organizations ability to warn citizens, and implement a comprehensive plan and procedure for tornado warnings in Wylie. This research will attempt to answer the following questions: 4) How does the public react to tornado warnings? 5) What safety information or training needs to be provided to the public, to get the desired result? 6) What tornado warning system or systems will provide the most positive response from Wylie citizens? Background and Significance The City of Wylie is a 43 square mile area with a population of approximately 40,000. Wylie is located in the North Central Texas region in Collin County and is 25 miles northeast of
downtown Dallas, Texas. The City of Wylie Public Safety consists of a Police Department with 44 career employees, a combination type fire department with 45 full-time and five part-time employees, and WPSCC with a staff of ten. The most prevalent natural hazards in this area are severe weather, of which the most destructive are tornados. The City of Wylie has experienced two tornados in the last 16 years, the first was Mothers Day 1993, and the most recent was March 30, 2007.
Improving Citizen Response In May 1993, the tornado touched down in the Glen Knoll Trailer Park, traveled through a light industrial area, struck a hospital building (unoccupied), and a three-story medical office building (unoccupied). One death and significant damage occurred to numerous mobile homes, and a light industrial building was destroyed and never rebuilt. During this event, no form of emergency warning existed.
On March 30, 2007, a severe weather event moved through the Dallas Fort Worth area at approximately 9:00pm. During the weather event, an Enhanced Fujita Scale 1 (EF1) tornado struck a densely populated residential area of Wylie. This was the only tornado throughout the weather event, and was surrounded by rain while on the ground. The area was first under a flash flood watch, then a tornado watch started at 4:00 p.m., and ultimately a severe thunderstorm warning began at 8:57 p.m. The first indication of trouble was at 9:21 p.m. Fire units were dispatched to a downed power line and then, within a minute, the police and fire departments were dispatched to a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA). First arriving police units determined that the car was unoccupied and, based on damage in the area, ascertained that a possible tornado was on the ground and immediately contacted the WPSCC. At 9:22 p.m., the dispatch center simultaneously activated the six storm sirens throughout the city and dispatched all available fire units to the affected area. Incident command was established and all members of the fire department were summoned to report to duty. Two-hundred and ten calls were received by the WPSCC within the 45 minutes following the tornado siren activation. This flood of calls essentially cut-off fire and police units from dispatch center support, and prevented dispatch from supporting first responders in the field. Field units were forced to work one-to-one with other field units to determine and resolve most needs. The fact that units were operating without dispatch services elevated the risk to

Improving Citizen Response emergency operations personnel. Additionally, rather than taking cover when the sirens activated, residents called 9-1-1, and/or exited their homes to see what was happening. The likelihood of severe weather or tornados striking the City of Wylie in the next five years is very probable. Depending on the time of day and location within Wylie that the emergency occurs, an effective method of warning citizens to take correct measures prior to being struck is essential to saving lives and reducing the communitys risk. Guidelines for emergency warnings to the citizens of Wylie during severe weather and tornados exist within the Emergency Management Plan (EMP). This document places the
responsibility of severe weather and tornado warnings on the Local Warning Point (LWP), which is the WPSCC. Within the EMP, generic pre-defined scripts for various warnings are provided. Currently the City of Wylie utilizes Emergency Alert System (EAS) and seven outdoor warning sirens, activated simultaneously. This system effectively covers 100 percent of outdoors populated areas of Wylie. This research stemmed from training received as part the National Fire Academys (NFA) Executive Fire Officers Program (EFOP), and Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management (EAFSOEM). Part of the course studies included ideas referenced in the Introduction, Unit 1. Objectives of this unit were to analyze individual departmental levels of preparedness for operations within emergency management. In Community Risk/Capability Assessment, Unit 4, application of risk assessment was applied to the community of Wylie, and used to identify our resources and capability for tornado warnings. Additionally, in Developing Resources and the Emergency Operations Center, Unit 5, this researcher analyzed the task of emergency warnings for tornados in Wylie, and reviewed resources currently in use.
Improving Citizen Response Lastly, this paper addresses one element of the five United States Fire Administration
Operational Objectives, which is to promote a comprehensive, multi-hazard risk-reduction plan led by fire service organizations within communities. Literature Review Public Reaction to Tornado Warnings In the Social Science Journal Understanding Disaster Warning Responses, four topics regarding responses to emergency warnings were identified: (1) threat denial; (2) warnings as social processes; (3) networks of social constraints; and (4) a vision for the future (Drabek, 1999, p.517). According to the research, the initial response to any warning is denial. In 1996, Drabek conducted field interviews of flood victims in Sterling, Colorado, an agricultural community, population 11,268. The interview was designed to assess the intensity of threat denial to warnings of disaster. Drabek (1999), discovered through interviews of a business man, that after hearing about damage reports nearby that morning, listening to radio reports all day in his office, witnessing others placing sand bags along the street, and seeing with his own eyes flood waters approaching from two blocks away. He still left his business, that day not believing anything said, and subsequently his store was flooded (p.519). Warning response is a highly complex social process (Drabek, 1999). When people are together at work and/or at home, etc., they tend to react to disaster warnings as a group, not as individuals. As a result, there is rarely a consensus on what action is appropriate. The process most often moves through the following stages: denial, then debate, and in some cases, actual arguments (Drabek, 1999, p.517). Based on dozens of reviews of behavioral descriptions, each interviewee appears different or unique. However, when researchers closely compared hundreds of behavioral

emergencies is necessary for quick broadcasting of information. The content and characteristic of the message can make a powerful effect on public response. The five definitive elements of a message are nature, location, guidance, time, and source of hazard or risk (Sorensen, 2000, p.121). The contextual characteristics that caused constraints to heeding warning during hurricanes Bob in 1991, Andrew in 1992, and Inki 1992, were the presence of children. Those visiting relatives were less likely to heed warnings than were tourists in hotels and motels (Drabek, 1996, p. 138). Ultimately, evacuees fleeing at the last minute were very angry with hotel and motel staff who initially mislead customers (Drabek, 1999, p.520). Event characteristics acknowledge that disasters come in all sizes and shapes. However, social structure must be used to define disasters and relay effective warnings or alerts when human responses are to be considered (Kreps, 1989, p. 279). According to Drabek (1996, p.
Improving Citizen Response 263), the lead-time for a warning has considerable influence on human responses. Warning response, according to Sorensen (2000, p. 122), involves a series of four mental steps: 1) Risk identification: Does the threat exist? 2) Risk assessment: Is protection needed? 3) Risk reduction: Is protection feasible? 4) Protective response: What action to take? Mileti & Sorensons (1990) research indicated a six-stage process in response to emergency warning: 1) Hearing the warning (p. 5-1) 2) Understanding the contents of the warning message (p. 5-2) 3) Believing the warning is credible and accurate (p. 5-2) 4) Personalizing the warning to oneself (p. 5-2) 5) Responding by taking protective action (p. 5-2) 6) Confirming that the warning is true and others are taking heed (p. 5-3) The goal of improving and integrating warning systems involves three key steps: (1) a national emergency warning strategy (Currently, the United States has no comprehensive plan for emergency warnings); (2) improving warning systems (This can be achieved by the use of new hardware and technology) (Sorensen, 2000, p.123); and (3) publishing information on
improved procedures and management practices, and closing knowledge gaps (Sorensen, 2000, p.124). Elizabeth M. Quoetone of the National Weather Service ( NWS) Warning Decision Training Branch was asked how the elements of a typical tornado warning message issued by the NWS compared to the elements of a warning message recommended by Drabek (1999, p. 519).

Improving Citizen Response She responded by stating that a warning issued by NWS explicitly answers who is issuing the
warning, what is threatening, which exact geographical areas are threatened, when will the event occur, high risk location or situations, and what specific protective actions are necessary. She further explained that the probability of the event is also explicit; however, the warning may not be heard by the listening public (personal communication, August 14, 2009). NWS tornado warnings, she advised, are computer generated, and in the case of tornado sightings, forecasters fill in exact geographical information, travel direction, and speed of the tornado. Public Safety Information Training No definitive evidence exists to show that public education programs produce significant increases in human responses to emergency warnings. Fair interpretations of data indicate preemergency public information programs heighten human response, but how much cannot be answered (Sorensen, 2000, p.121). According to Rodriguez, Diaz, & Aguirre (2004 p.24), while severe weather warnings lead time has increased due to improved weather monitoring capabilities. In order to be effective, the use of technology that is designed to warn large numbers of individuals must include integrated features that address organizational and social considerations, to save lives. They further say that continued research is necessary to expand our understanding of how organizations and people recognize and respond to weather warnings. Efficient, reliable emergency warning methods are one aspect of how communities and individuals prepare and react (Rodriguez, Diaz, & Aguirre, 2004 p.23). The use of information technology may reach a point of diminished returns based on the systems ability to save lives. Loss of life may increase without social programs designed to educate the public on understanding the risk associated with severe weather. The end-user in communities must be approached for feedback on the effectiveness of the systems ability to
Improving Citizen Response warn citizens (Rodriguez, Diaz, & Aguirre, 2004 p.23). If we continue to focus on technology without regard to the social context, we may improve technology and be left without an understanding of the community and individual response to warnings. We should continue to develop and use new technology; however, do so in combination with continued study of the social forces that form the individual, organization, community, and reaction to warnings
(Rodriguez, Diaz, & Aguirre, 2004 p. 23). Understanding how and why people react to tornado warnings, and how successful their response was at reducing risk, has relevance in effective conveyance of tornado preparedness, safety recommendations and tornado warnings (Golden & Adams, 2000, p. 116). Nathe (2000, p. 191) states that the goal of a public education program should be to decrease indifference to disasters, and increase protective actions taken by the public. These education programs do not automatically increase protective actions taken by the public; however, successful public education programs have three commonalities: 1) They raised questions in the minds of their audience; 2) They offered fairly simple answers; and 3) They had authorities available over time to reinforce the message (Nathe, 2000 p. 191). Warning Systems Response According to McEntire & Myers (2004 p. 145), the creation of a disaster warning system is one of the most important functions of emergency management preparedness. These systems provide disaster warnings to a population about an eminent hazard or actual disaster. Simply put, warning systems detect imminent disaster, notify people at risk, and empower persons in danger to make a decision to take action, according to Sorensen (2000, p.

Improving Citizen Response 119). Advancement has developed from forecasting data collection and improvements in
monitoring, instrumentation, and data processing. Some improvement has also occurred because of modeling and theories, but no progressive breakthroughs in theory have occurred in the past 20 years (Sorensen, 2000, p. 119). According to Sorensen (2000), warning integration improvements for all hazards have not improved, but our ability to issue timely warnings for specific hazards has advanced. In order to maximize emergency organization notifications for public protection, it is necessary to integrate scientific monitoring capabilities together with detection and social design considerations when rapidly issuing alerts. Additionally, a variety of scientific, social components, managerial, and technology components must be linked together to add to their effectiveness (p. 120). The most prevalent warning recommendation is to evacuate and this may not be an ideal course of action in all cases. In flash floods most deaths occur because victims try to evacuate in their car. Planning considerations should include vertical evacuation in floods, and sheltering inplace for tornados (Sorensen, 2000, p. 120). Common Emergency Warning Myths Myths believed by many Emergency managers, throughout the United States may limit the effectiveness of warning messages. According to Sorensen (2000, p. 121), the most prevalent myth is that the public will panic upon receiving a warning. This occurs rarely and only when people are in situations where they are exposed to tight physical spaces, death is eminent, and/or in absence of escape routes. Five additional myths include (1) The public can be easily overwhelmed with information. This is a very rare occurrence during emergency warnings; (2) Issuing false alarms will diminish public response to emergency warnings. A diminished response, due a false alarm, is unlikely if the reason for the false alarm is understood;
Improving Citizen Response (3) A single spokesperson is essential. In reality, people seek many sources for information during emergencies; (4) People will take action immediately upon receiving an emergency warning message. This is false, in most cases, people will not respond to the first emergency

The goal and final product of this applied research project is to improve citizen response to tornado warnings. The type of research method was action and focused on how to improve citizen response to tornado warnings effectively. A literature review was conducted of scholarly journals, books, web sites, and the City of Wylie Emergency Management Plan. This provided comprehensive information on current findings of existing research on how people react to emergency warnings, effective emergency preparedness public education concepts, and current policy and procedure for dissemination of tornado warnings within the City of Wylie. Stakeholder meetings were conducted with Wylie Emergency Management personnel to develop a questionnaire for dissemination to emergency managers located throughout North Central Texas, (Appendix B), with an accompanying cover letter, (Appendix A). To distribute the Emergency Manager Questionnaire, a request for assistance was sent out via email to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), Regional Emergency Manager Email
Group. NCTCOG represents a 16 county region of North Central Texas covering 12,794 square miles, with a population over 6 million, and over 320 emergency managers. Stakeholders also assisted in developing and disseminating a citizen survey, (Appendix D). This survey instrument was made available to 40,000 City of Wylie citizens through sources routinely used by the City of Wylie and utilized by the Public Information Officer to disseminate similar information. Limitations The number of questionnaires returned by the regional emergency managers provided helpful information although a larger sample would have provided a higher confidence level based on the approximate number of regional emergency managers. The research group questionnaires that were returned, however, did provide data on professional practices, and information on the effectiveness of tornado warnings within responders jurisdictions. Of the surveys made available to the City of Wylie citizens, 871 were returned, far exceeding expectations, and the amount needed for accurate analysis. This random survey can be assured a 95 percent confidence level based on the October 2005, EFOP Applied Research Self-Study Course-Student Guide, figure 5 (p. 38). Within this table a representative sample size (S) of 380 surveys, returned from a total population (N) of 40,000 provides a 95 percent confidence level. This assumes respondents understood the questions and answered truthfully. Definition of Terms Emergency Alert System (EAS) - A system that provides immediate communication, and information to the public at the national, state, or local level during periods of national emergency. The EAS may also be used by state and local governments to disseminate emergency information to the public in their area.

Fujita Intensity Scale - A scale of wind damage intensity where wind speeds are inferred from an analysis of wind damage. Local Warning Point (LWP) - The focal point of emergency warning functions, located in the Wylie Public Safety Communications Center. Mass Notification System (MNS) - A system used to provide information and instructions to people, in a building, area site, or other space. MNS can accomplish this by using intelligible voice communications, visible signals, text, graphics, tactical, or other communication methods. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) - NOAA Weather Radio National Weather Service (NWS) - National Weather Service Results Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaire Sixty-four Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaires were returned. Answers to research questions: 1) What method(s) are utilized by your jurisdiction for tornado warnings? (check all that apply) a) Siren (without voice capability) (70.3% Response Percent) b) Siren (with voice capability) (28.1% Response Percent) c) EAS (37.5% Response Percent) d) Code Red (21.9% Response Percent) e) Reverse 911 (12.5% Response Percent) f) Other (please specify) (42.2% Response Percent)
Improving Citizen Response Listed below: 27 other methods used by the jurisdictions that returned questionnaires (unfiltered responses) 1) Nixle 2) We have no active warning system 3) Public address inside buildings 4) Social Media 5) ConnectCTY
6) Monitor WeatherBug Professional, NOAA Weather Radio, TLETS Warnings, and local TV and Radio Stations 7) Emails to alert City staff 8) NWS Weather Alert Radios 9) Mass notification other than code red or reverse 911 (On university campus) 10) News media and alerts 11) Cable TV direct voice access 12) Blackboard CTY ( different version of Core Red) 13) Connect CTY (Reverse 911 type system) 14) Citizen Notification Service 15) Depend on Murphy/Wylie Sirens and local news 16) Media.especially TV and radio 17) DeltaAlert Mass Notification System 18) Cable TV Interrupt 19) (WENS) Wireless Notification System 20) Use Connect-CTY similar to code red

Improving Citizen Response Discussion Emergency Manager Questionnaire Responses
Based on emergency manager questionnaire responses, the preponderance of jurisdictions do not rely on one single system to issue tornado warnings to citizens. The respondents all use outdoor warning sirens, the majority of which can be activated individually. The second most prevalent tornado warning method is EAS and, in this questionnaire, respondents choose other types of tornado warning systems. These other methods/systems included television media, radio media, variations of internet based mass notification type warnings systems, with voice, email, and texting capabilities.(Figure 1) According to the emergency managers who returned questionnaires, the majority of jurisdictions use sirens and some other form of emergency warning methods for tornados. This is essential for effective tornado warnings in order to elicit a protective response. According to Sorensen (2000, p. 121), people seek many sources for information during emergencies, and after seeking multiple sources for information, people take protective actions when the risk seems very high (Hammer & Schmidlin, 2001, p. 580). The fact that 63 out of 64 emergency managers reported using outdoor warning sirens for tornado warnings indicates this is the cornerstone mass warning system for the region, but is augmented with various other tornado-warning methods. In the literature examined in reference to warning system types, Sorensen (2000, p. 120) contends that a warning system used for hurricanes will not necessarily be good for flash floods. Conversely, a general alert warning similar to an outdoor warning siren may not suffice when a very definitive warning is needed. Emergency managers response to tornado warning message content indicated half either create an appropriate message from scratch or do not have a scripted tornado-warning message.
Improving Citizen Response Respondents to the questionnaire revealed 41 percent of emergency managers maintain a specific pre-scripted tornado warning message. The leading method of public education utilized by emergency managers within the
North Texas region is the use of internet web sites. Other methods include public events through various programs like National Night Out, Sky Warn, safety fairs, etc. Use of brochures, civic club speeches, and citizen corps programs were also used by emergency mangers. Within the response to the questionnaire, emergency managers also identified 15 other outlets used to promote disaster preparedness public education. According to the responses to the emergency manager questionnaire, 53 out of 58 who answered the question (91 percent) activate their outdoor emergency sirens when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, and a public safety officer or a trained storm spotter verifies a tornado sighting. Sixty-one percent of emergency mangers in the region believe their tornado warning systems work effectively when asked to rate them. Nineteen percent said their systems need upgrades, and approximately ten percent answered, no change needed. Approximately 42 percent of the emergency managers that returned answers to the questionnaire were responsible for jurisdictions with a population between 21,000 and 60,000. City of Wylie Citizen Responses The survey instrument was made available via Survey Monkey, and distributed to employees of Wylie, citizens of Wylie and the surrounding area. The fact that anyone could take the survey was taken into consideration. Rather than try to exclude participants, question number one asked: Im a resident of the City of Wylie? (Yes or No) The respondents that

Improving Citizen Response information, coupled with responses to question five, I own a cell phone with texting capability? in which 89.4 percent of respondents answered affirmatively, supports using additional resources to send tornado warnings to encourage people to take protective actions. Research by Hammer & Schmidlin (2001, p. 580) revealed people will seek information from many sources prior to making a decision. This information prompted a subsequent search for a free texting service resource for use as a method of mass warning notifications. This search revealed Nixle , a free service for use by public safety organizations for sending secure up to the minute emergency notifications via text messaging, email, and the web (Nixle, 2009). When respondents were asked, During the last severe weather event that included tornado warnings, I received information from: (check all that apply), it revealed that 85.2 percent of tornado warning information came from the television, which includes tornado warnings (see Figure 2). These results support Golden & Adams (2000, p.114) who said the most compelling change in the recent years has been to rely on electronic media for news coverage of, and assistance issuing, severe weather watches and warnings, which they are capable of instantly relaying to listeners and viewers. Second to television, 72.4 percent of respondents indentified outdoor sirens as their source for tornado warning information during the last severe weather event. This response
could also indicate respondents to the survey were home in Wylie during the last severe weather event that included tornado warning. It is not known whether the respondents were outside or could hear the sirens within their homes during the last severe weather event. The reliance on this resource is obvious to the organization and cannot be overlooked for future tornado warning preparedness education programs. This could help ensure that expectations of the outdoor
warning siren systems are within operational capabilities. Protective actions taken by residents were undocumented and the possible topic of further research. The internet, according to 28.4 percent of surveyed respondents, was the third source used for receiving information on tornado warnings. This resource obviously provides numerous possibilities for obtaining credible and current weather information and further supports the research performed by Sorensen (2000, p. 121) and Mileti & Sorenson (1990, p. 2-9). The fourth source that 18.8 percent of the respondents indentified obtaining tornado warning information from was a friend. This supports the research identifying response to emergency warnings as a social process (Drabek, 1999, p. 517). According to respondents, 89.7 percent of those who took the survey lived in a household of between two people to greater than four. So, the fact that almost one respondent in five received tornado warning information from a friend is a significant result, as the majority of respondents were with their family, and they discussed tornado warnings with a friend. This information coupled with the, expanding new internet social groups that are emerging such as Facebook and Twitter, where friends socialize constantly, sometimes more than with the people they are actually with. This is significant and validates exploring these resources or methods to reach citizens for relaying disaster preparedness education and information. According to respondents, 88.1 percent of those who took the survey were between the ages of 26 and 60 years old. This response represented a good cross section of the population for analysis. This cross section of respondents provides an opportunity and is important part of the analysis. According to Drabek (1999, p. 519), as receivers of emergency warnings people respond differently. Some could have previous experience, some could feel more vulnerable due

Improving Citizen Response Lastly, public education is needed based on respondents who answered the Citizens Tornado Warning Survey. Eighty-four percent of citizens responded yes when asked if
tornado warning information were provided and made available, would they review local tornado warning procedures, online or in print, to prepare for this type of disaster event. Eighty-one percent of professional emergency managers who responded to the Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaire shared that web sites were used for public education. According to Nathe (2000, p. 191), the goal of a public education should decrease indifference to disasters and increase protective actions. Simply having public education programs does increase the likelihood of the public taking protective actions during emergency warnings; however, good programs do have commonalities like raising questions in minds of the public, offering simple answers to questions and authorities that consistently reinforce the message over time. To accomplish this goal a web site with accurate and up-to date information will be developed as a result of this research. One goal of this web site will be to measure the knowledge of visitors and to develop different ways to measure the understanding and effectiveness of the information provided. Measuring the effectiveness as stated by Rodriguez, Diaz, & Aguirre (2004, p. 3) will effectively address the social considerations when using this type of technology for public education.
References Andra, D., Bunting, W. & Quoetone, E. (1999). WARNING DECISION MAKING PROCESS DURING THE 3 MAY 1999 TORNADO OUTBREAK. Retrieved August 8, 2009 from http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/modules/sls00/otboun.pdf Brooks, H. (2003). Tornado Warning Performance in the Past and Future: A Perspective from Signal Detection Theory. Retrieved August 8, 2009 from http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/brooks/public_html/papers/BAMS1631-4.pdf Coleman, T. & Pence, K. (2009). The 1883 Holden Tornado Warning System and Its Applications Today. (chap. 3.1). Retrieved August 16, 2009 from http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/132743.pdf Drabek, T. E. (1996). Disaster Evacuation Behavior: Tourists and Other Transients. Boulder, CO: Institute of Behavioral Science. Drabek, T. E. (1999). Understanding Disaster Warning Responses. The Social Science Journal, 36(3), 515-523. Emergency Management Plan for City of Wylie (ordinance #2005-29) [Data file]. Wylie, TX: Wylie Fire Rescue. Golden, J., & Adams, C. (2000). The Tornado Problem: Forcast, Warning, and Response. Natural Hazards Review, 1(2), 107-118. Hammer, B. & Schmidlin. (2001). Response to Warnings during the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornado: Reasons and Relative Injury Rates [Electronic version]. American Meteorological Society, 17. 577-581. Kreps, G. A. (1989). Description, Taxonomy, and Explaination in Disaster Research. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 7(3), 277-280.

APPENDIX B Emergency Manager Tornado Warning Questionnaire
1) What method(s) are utilized by your jurisdiction for tornado warnings? (check all that apply) a. Siren (without voice capability) b. Siren (with voice capability) c. EAS d. Code Red e. Reverse 911 f. Other (please specify) 2) If sirens are used, can they be activated individually? a) Yes b) No 3) What message content is relayed to the public for tornado warnings? a) All-Hazard scripted message? b) Specific scripted tornado-warning message? c) Appropriate tornado warning message is created from scratch. d) None 4) What public education programs are utilized by your jurisdiction? a) Web Site b) Civic Club Speeches c) Brochures
d) Public awareness events like National Night Out (NNO), safety fairs, Skywarn, etc. e) Citizens Corp Programs f) Other (please specify) 5) Sirens are activated for the following: (check all that apply) a) When NWS Issues a tornado warning b) When a tornado is spotted by a public safety officer c) When a tornado is spotted by a trained storm spotter 6) How would you rate your jurisdictions tornado warning effectiveness? a) No change needed b) Works, effective c) Works, ineffective d) System needs upgrade e) None existent 7) The population of my jurisdiction is; a) 20,000 or less b) 21,000 39,000 c) 40,000-60,000 d) 61,000 or more
APPENDIX C Tornado Warning Citizens Survey/Cover Letter Dear Wylie Resident: This survey will help us analyze the City of Wylies severe weather preparedness. The information gathered will be used to design communication, programs, and education, focused on emergency notification, preparation, response, and recovery. We value and appreciate your time and feedback. Thank You.
APPENDIX D Tornado Warning Citizens Survey 1) Im a resident of the City of Wylie a) Yes b) No 2) I own a weather alert radio? a) Yes b) No 3) I would seek shelter if: (check all that apply) a) storm sirens go off b) storm sirens go off, television news, or radio verifies a tornado is nearby? c) storm sirens go off, the television news, or radio verifies a tornado is nearby, and I receive a message, confirming a tornado is nearby, or headed towards me, from the City of Wylie?

ITEMIZATION OF INVENTORY TYPE WATCHES 1 1
ATTACHMENT TO SUPPLEMENTAL FORM 2433, NOTICE OF SEIZURE
QUANTITY DESCRIPTION *BRAND NAMES INDICATED ARE THE NAMES FOUND ON THE WATCH. AUTHENTICITY OF BRAND NAMES NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. BULOVA WATCH, W114, IN BOX BULOVA WATCH, W122, IN BOX BULOVA WATCH, W059, IN BOX BULOVA WATCH, W065, IN BOX BULOVA WATCH, W089, IN BOX SIGNET WATCH STYLE NUMBER 2326 SIGNET WATCH STYLE NUMBER 2311 SIGNET WATCH STYLE NUMBER 2329 SIGNET WATCH STYLE NUMBER 7327 CARAVELLE BY BULOVA, GOLD COLORED LADIES WATCH CARAVELLE BY BULOVA IN BOX, GOLD COLORED LADIES WATCH BULOVA BLACK BAND, GOLD & SILVER COLORED AROUND FACE BULOVA DUAL WHITE FACES WITH SILVER COLORED BAND BULOVA MEN'S, SILVER COLORED BAND W/GOLD COLORED FACE BULOVA ACCUTRON, SILVER COLORED FACE & BAND, IN BOX CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND W/GOLD COLORED ACCENTS CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND W/GOLD COLORED ACCENTS, CLEAR COLORED STONES AROUND FACE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND & FACE, CLEAR COLORED STONES AROUND FACE BULOVA ACCUTRON, BLACK BAND, WHITE FACE, GOLD COLORED ACCENTS CARAVELLE, SILVER & GOLD COLORED BAND, WHITE FACE, CLEAR COLORED STONES AROUND FACE CARAVELLE, GOLD COLORED BAND & FACE, CLEAR COLORED ACCENT STONES AROUND FACE BULOVA ACCUTRON, GOLD COLORED BAND, WHITE FACE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND, BLUE FACE, RED & BLUE COLORED SURROUND - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BROWN BAND, GOLD COLORED FACE, SILVER COLORED ACCENTS - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLUE BRAIDED BAND W/BLUE FACE - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND & FACE, GOLD COLORED SURROUND - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND, GOLD COLORED FACE - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND & FACE, GOLD COLORED ACCENTS, CLEAR STONES - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND & FACE, SILVER COLORED SURROUND - IN BOX CARAVELLE, GOLD COLORED BANK, BLACK FACE, ONE CLEAR STONE - PLASTIC CASE BULOVA BROWN BAND, GOLD COLORED FACE - PLASTIC CASE CARAVELLE, BLACK BAND & FACE, GOLD COLORED ACCENTS - PLASTIC CASE PULSAR, #805697, GOLD COLORED PUSLAR, #867303, GOLD COLORED FACE, TAN BAND PULSAR, #805424, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, #V322-3600, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, #042310, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, #830394, GOLD COLORED, BROWN BAND PULSAR, #340012, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, V810-X023, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, KSW 251, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, Y580 5389, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, V237 X019, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, KSW 134, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, WO32 PEX326, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, 751 307, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, 970 138, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, KSW 252, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, 141 975, GOLD COLORED FACE, BLACK BAND PULSAR, 340 346, BLACK FACE & BAND CITIZEN, 110 336, SILVER COLORED WATCH, BLUE FACE CITIZEN, 110 168, SILVER COLORED WATCH, BLACK FACE PULSAR, 964 419, SILVER COLORED WATCH, TAN BAND CITIZEN, 580 513, GOLD COLORED, BLACK FACE & BAND CITIZEN, 161 552, GOLD COLORED, 10 CLEAR STONES PUSLAR, 246 721, BLACK CITIZEN, 180 535, SILVER COLORED, BLACK FACE & BAND CITIZEN, 160 666, SILVER COLORED, GOLD COLORED BAND CITIZEN, W194, GOLD COLORED CITIZEN, W175, GOLD COLORED, SILVER COLORED FACE SEIKO, V401 5839, GOLD COLORED CITIZEN, W168, GOLD COLORED CITIZEN, W186, SILVER COLORED, BLACK FACE PULSAR, 471 759, GOLD COLORED WATCH, BLACK BAND & FACE

3 CATEGORY TOTAL 81

SEIKO, 827 430, GOLD COLORED PULSAR, V810, GOLD COLORED SEIKO, KSW 118, GOLD COLORED, BLACK BAND SEIKO, 500 884, GOLD COLORED, RED FACE & BAND SEIKO, 841 868, SILVER COLORED WATCH, GOLD COLORED BAND LASSALE, USW 271, GOLD COLORED, 6 CLEAR STONES ON WHITE FACE LASSALE, USW 27, GOLD COLORED, BLUE FACE WITH 6 CLEAR STONES LASSALE, 670 059, GOLD COLORED, GREEN FACE POCKET WATCH GOLD COLORED CHAIN WITH WATCH PENDANT CLIP-ON WATCHES

1 CATEGORY TOTAL 373

BIRTH STONE RINGS, GOLD COLORED WITH VARIOUS COLORED STONES GOLD & SILVER COLORED WEDDING BANDS GOLD & SILVER COLORED WEDDING BANDS W/VARIOUS COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED WEDDING BANDS GOLD COLORED ENGAGEMENT & WEDDING BANDS, 2 MATCHING SETS W/CLEAR STONES(2 RINGS/SET) GOLD AND SILVER COLORED WEDDING BAND SETTINGS W/SOME SMALL STONES, BUT PRIMARY STONES FOR SETTING NOT INCLUDED SILVER COLORED W/CLEAR STONES GOLD COLORED BANDS W/CLEAR STONES GOLD COLORED WITH BLUE STONES GOLD COLORED W/BLUE & CLEAR STONES SILVER COLORED W/BLUE STONE SILVER COLORED RING W/PURPLE STONE, GOLD COLORED SETTING SILVER COLORED, 1 WHITE STONE GOLD COLORED W/GREEN STONES SILVER COLORED W/ PURPLE STONE GOLD COLORED W/RED STONES GOLD COLORED W/WHITE STONES GOLD COLORED W/CLEAR STONES GOLD COLORED W/BLACK STONES GOLD COLORED W/BROWN STONES GOLD COLORED GOLD COLORED W/PURPLE STONES GOLD COLORED W/BLACK STONES - IN BOXES GOLD COLORED - IN BOXES GOLD COLORED W/BLUE STONE - IN BOX SILVER COLORED W/BLUE STONE - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/3 CLEAR STONES - IN BOX SILVER COLORED W/CLEAR STONE - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/BLACK & CLEAR STONES - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/BLUE & CLEAR STONES - IN BOX SILVER & GOLD COLORED WITH CLEAR STONES - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/GRAY & WHITE COLORED STONE - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/RED & CLEAR STONES - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/PURPLE & CLEAR STONES - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/GREEN STONE - IN BOX GOLD COLORED W/YELLOW STONES GOLD COLORED W/DARK RED STONES GOLD COLORED RING W/SILVER COLORING, CLEAR STONE GOLD COLORED W/ORANGE STONE SILVER COLORED GOLD & SILVER COLORED GOLD & SILVER COLORED W/CLEAR STONES GOLD COLORED RINGS W/MULTICOLORED STONES GOLD COLORED TOE RING GOLD COLORED W/BLACK & CLEAR STONES
LOOSE STONES CATEGORY TOTAL NECKLACES 183 419
**AT THIS TIME THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE STONES IS NOT KNOWN, DESCRIPTION IS COLOR ONLY CLEAR COLORED YELLOW COLORED BLACK COLORED GREEN COLORED BLUE COLORED PURPLE COLORED MULTICOLORED RED COLORED SILVER COLORED PINK COLORED OPAL COLORED STONE AMBER COLORED WHITE COLORED BAG OF LOOSE ROCKS, AMBER COLORED LOOSE ROCKS, ORANGE COLORED LOOSE ROCKS, BROWN COLORED LOOSE BROWN COLORED STONES BROWN COLORED STONES ON STRING BAG OF MULTICOLORED STONES BIRTHSTONE KITS IN CASE - NUMBEROUS STONES IN VILES, VARIOUS COLORS CLEAR COLORED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER WHITE COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS BLUE COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS GREEN COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROETECOR PURPLE COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTOR RED COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS CLEAR COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS YELLOW COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS GRAY COLORED - IN PLASTIC PROECTOR MULTICOLORED - IN PLASTIC PROTECTORS

W/BLACK & GRAY COLORED STONES SILVER COLORED CHAIN W/WHITE COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/CLEAR COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED CHAINS W/GOLD COLORED PENDANTS W/VARIOUS COLORED STONES CHAINS W/PENDANTS IN BOXES GOLD COLORED, PEARL TYPE NECKLACE PEARL TYPE NECKLACES WHITE PEARL TYPE NECKLACE WHITE PEARL TYPE NECKLACE W/BLACK & BLUE STONES ORANGE STONE NECKLACE GOLD COLORED W/STONES SILVER COLORED W/MULTICOLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/PEARL-LIKE STONES SILVER COLORED W/PEARL-LIKE STONES MATCHES BLACK & GOLD COLORED EARRING PAIR MATCHES GOLD COLORED EARRING PAIR, W/WHITE STONE MATCHES GOLD COLORED EARRING PAIR, W/MULTICOLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/ORANGE STONE GOLD COLORED SILVER COLORED CHAINS GOLD COLORED W/GREEN STONES GOLD COLORED W/MULTICOLORED STONES BLACK ROPE W/SILVER COLORED PENDANT NECKLACE W/VARIOUS STONES SILVER COLORED, MATCHES EARRING SETS GOLD COLORED W/VARIOUS COLORED STONES

CATEGORY TOTAL

BRACELETS
W/BLACK & GRAY COLORED STONES - WOMEN'S SILVER COLORED GOLD COLORED SILVER COLORED W/CLEAR COLORED STONES IN BLACK SPEIDEL BOXES IN CLEAR PLASTIC SPEIDEL CONTAINERS BRACELETS GOLD COLORED, STEEL OR SILVER COLORED WOODEN GOLD COLORED W/MULTICOLORED STONES

PENDANTS

2 CATEGORY TOTAL 59
SILVER COLORED W/CLEAR STONES BIRTH STONE PENDANTS, GOLD COLORED W/VARIOUS COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED GOLD COLORED W/CLEAR COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/PURPLE STONES GOLD COLORED W/MULTICOLORED STONE SILVER COLORED

EARRINGS

# OF PAIRS 6 CATEGORY TOTAL 133
CLIP-ON W/WHITE COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/CLEAR COLORED STONES SILVER COLORED WITH CLEAR COLORED STONES GOLD COLORED W/BLUE STONES GOLD COLORED W/VARIOUS COLORED STONES EARRING PAIRS GOLD COLORED W/PINK STONES GOLD COLORED GOLD COLORED W/PEARL-LIKE STONES SMALL, GOLD COLORED SMALL, VARIOUS COLORS SILVER COLORED WITH CLEAR COLORED STONES PEARL-LIKE STONES BLACK AND GOLD COLORED GOLD & SILVER COLORED GOLD COLORED W/BLACK STONES SILVER AND BLACK COLORED SILVER COLORED W/PURPLE STONES SILVER COLORED, MATCHES NECKLACE SETS MULTICOLORED SILVER COLORED

EARRINGS - LOOSE

SINGLE NOT PAIRS 10 52
SILVER COLORED PEARL-LIKE STONE GOLD COLORED CLEAR COLORED STONES, VARIOUS SIZES VARIOUS COLORED METAL EARRINGS

CLOCKS

1 CATEGORY TOTAL 8
LINDEN AGO170, CONDOVA, GOLD COLORED IN GLASS BULOVA B1700 BULOVA B1675 BULOVA B0520-3 BULOVA B18142 BULOVA B2783 BUOLVA B1895

1 CATEGORY TOTAL 65

MONEY CLIPS KEY CHAINS POCKET KNIVES LIGHTERS TIE BARS TIE TACKS ROSARIES SET OF TWO CUFFLINKS BLACK WALLET BLACK MONEY CLIP & CARD HOLDER BROWN MONEY CLIP & CARD HOLDER BROWN CD WALLET GOLD COLORED PIN GOLD COLORED BROCHE PIN BIRTHSTONE COLORED NECKLACES AND EARRING SETS GOLD COLORED LOCKET YELLOW AND WHITE COLORED STONES NECKLACE & EARRING SET - 3 PIECES