TO: CTPP-News This is a snippet from today's ACS alert from the Census Bureau. Of interest to transportation planners is the first bullet item on the appropriateness of using ACS data on small-area commute flows for emergency planning efforts. Something to keep in mind.... Chuck Purvis, MTC ***************************************************************************************************************************** THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY AND EMERGENCY PLANNING How can information from the American Community Survey help emergency response providers? What is the role that current information can play in developing plans for recovery from natural disasters or other catastrophic events, or in assessing the long-term impact of these events on the economy, health, housing, and physical infrastructure, including roads, public buildings, and utilities? Whether it's a chemical spill, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other event, current information on the affected population is critical for emergency planners involved in emergency response, disaster relief, or long-term recovery. When fully implemented, the American Community Survey will provide federal, state, local, and tribal government officials with up-to-date population and housing information to help them respond to events and determine whether such events are limited in scope or have catastrophic consequences for an area, state, or region. Current information on the numbers and characteristics of the population are essential to develop emergency evacuation plans and identify what kinds of medical assistance and other services are needed. Here are some examples of how the American Community Survey contributes to emergency planning. * The American Community Survey's small-area data on commuting patterns and schooling can provide critical information about the physical location of the population during the day. Knowledge of daytime populations can help planners develop appropriate strategies and procedures to route people through and out of a city in the event of a catastrophic event, identify the best locations for emergency shelters, or assess the need to stockpile vital food and medical supplies. * Information on the languages spoken in an area provides guidance on whether flyers, electronic broadcasts, or other means of disseminating emergency information are needed in languages other than English. * Areas affected by catastrophic events can lose their populations quickly. Measuring the effect of population and job losses requires an ongoing, current source of statistics on households, housing, and characteristics such as the availability of public utilities. As affected areas recover, knowledge of the rate at which the local population rebounds, if and how their characteristics have changed, and the effects of the rebound, can help policy-makers gauge the new needs and resources, as well as any lasting impact of the event on the local economy. Current, accurate information is a first step in planning for and responding to emergencies. The American Community Survey can help. _______________________________________