Survey Instrument: Law Enforcement First Responder Experiences During and After a Large-Scale Hurricane Evacuation

The self-administered survey instrument instrument was originally used to collect data from law enforcement first responder personnel who had worked during a large-scale hurricane evacuation. The question sets included information about the officer’s employment and routine work assignment or area, overtime requirements during and after the evacuation, and agency emergency response to the event. A question set focuses on opinions and knowledge about the role of law enforcement in evacuations and public safety issues during evacuations. There is a question set about adverse conditions that officers may experience during evacuations including going without food, water, sleep, shelter, back-up, and connection to dispatch was well as having been injured or fearing for safety. A question set focuses on perceptions of their family’s experiences during the evacuation including need for support and assistance to evacuate, as well as evacuation decisions about what to take, where to go, and future evacuation intention. A question set asks about family conflict after the event. Finally, demographic characteristics of the officer and their family are asked including questions about other first responders or essential workers in the household, household composition, and personal demographics. This instrument could be used as originally designed or it could be modified for use with other first responder populations and/or other essential workers who prepare and respond to hurricanes and other large-scale disasters.