The Denton County Health Department is trying something a little bit different to become better prepared for emergencies: they’re going door-to-door.
On Saturday, about 100 volunteers prepared to go to random neighborhoods in Little Elm and ask residents a short 20 question survey.
The survey will cover things like town demographics, who may need special assistance, who has pets, how stocked up are folks on things like water and medicine, where people get their news, and other similar topics.
Little Elm’s Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Travis Calendine said they hope to then take that information and reform the city and county’s plans for emergency situations, so that they better fit the needs of the people in the area.
"With emergency preparedness I deal with the whole community so I need to focus on, just everybody, not just the well bodied people but the people who have special needs, children, pets," said Calendine.
This is the first time Denton County or North Texas health leaders have tried this tactic, but Calendine said they’ve found success with surveys like this in the Houston area.
The volunteers will be clearly visible to residents; each wearing a blue shirt, red hat, and bright yellow emergency vest with county medical reserve corps logos and badges clearly displayed. They plan to wrap up the survey by early afternoon.
