UNMC, Local Health Departments Conduct Wildfire Recovery Survey
WHAT: The Water, Climate and Health Program within the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health will conduct Rapid Need Assessments in West Central and Southwest Nebraska starting Monday, June 22, and ending on Friday, June 26.
The Rapid Needs Assessment is a door-to-door survey with water testing to help those impacted by the spring wildfires in Arthur, Dawson, Frontier, Gosper, Keith, Lincoln, Phelps and Thomas counties. Residents within a 5-mile radius of the wildfires are randomly selected. Participation is voluntary and includes free water testing and a wildfire clean-up kit.
WHEN:Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26
WHERE: Multiple locations in Arthur, Dawson, Frontier, Gosper, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, Phelps and Thomas counties.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCE OR WEEK-OF COVERAGE:
Kristina Kintziger, PhD, MPH: Epidemiologist and Health and Environment Associate Professor at UNMC
Liz Cole: Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Research Assistant at UNMC
Meghan Trevino: Executive director at West Central District Health Department
Ashley Green: Environmental health supervisor at Two Rivers Public Health Department
Myra Stoney: Health director at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department
WHY IT MATTERS: Local public health departments, members from the Water, Climate, and Health program and local volunteers will conduct the surveys. The goal of this survey is to:
Understand how wildfires affect community health
Identify challenges faced by rural communities during wildfires
Check to see if water quality has been affected near impacted homes
For more information, please contact John Keenan or Taylor Dahl.