Help the county prepare for the next disaster

Residents and visitors gave Maui County good grades for its response to the tsunami warning on Feb. 27.
This time, many factors were in our favor. The Maui County Civil Defense Agency had several hours to prepare for the incoming surge, and the warning occurred on a Saturday when students were home and many workers were off.
Thankfully, we experienced tidal surges instead of a 12-foot-high destructive wave. For the county, locals and visitors, it was a good exercise.
What if, next time, we get an hour’s notice at 10 a.m. on a weekday? Are you prepared for a disaster? Do you know what to do and where to go?
The county wants to gauge residents’ readiness. Its Civil Defense Agency asks the public to participate in the Maui Resident Disaster Preparedness Survey, which will be available until April 2010.
The brief survey can be completed online on the county’s home page at www.mauicounty.gov and in the website’s Civil Defense section.
Results of the survey and community recommendations on disaster preparation will help the county improve its planning and preparedness strategy.
The public’s responses will also play a role in seeking federal funding for mitigation actions.
Go online and take the survey. The questions will help you decide if you’re well-prepared for the next potential disaster.