Anniston Star
March 25, 2003

Survey: Calhoun, Talladega less informed

By Jason Landers
Star Staff Writer
03-25-2003

Residents of Calhoun and Talladega counties are less informed than their neighbors on how to respond to a chemical weapons release, a recent survey says.

Cleburne County residents scored highest in the random telephone survey, which was conducted between November and December 2002.

The survey assessed how well county advertising campaigns have conveyed the emergency preparedness message to residents. The state began the advertising campaign in 2001, although the level of participation varied among the individual counties in the six-county response zone.

The state Emergency Management Agency contracted with Benton, Newton and Partners Advertising for the study. The firm surveyed how informed residents are about what to do should an accident occur involving the stockpile at the Anniston Army Depot.

"Overall, Cleburne County's scores are some of the highest preparedness percentages you'll find in the nation," boasted Steve Swaf-ford, director of the Cleburne County Emergency Management Agency. He said the county's scores were similar to those in earthquake-prone California and areas surrounding nuclear power plants, where preparedness programs have been in place for decades.

Swafford attributed the high marks to the agency bringing its readiness message to businesses, social groups, churches and schools.

Talladega County residents scored among the lowest in the survey. Calhoun County, which scored at the lower middle in the majority of categories, did not start its public information campaign until after the polling began.

"We do expect those numbers will jump when the next survey is taken," said David Ford, spokesman for the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency.

Portions of Calhoun and Talladega counties are in an area dubbed the Pink Zone because of its proximity to the depot. More than 2,200 tons of aging nerve and blister agent are stored there, slated for destruction.

About 1,200 residents from the six-county region that includes Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, St. Clair, Talladega and Etowah participated.

Below are some of the responses participants gave:

# Those who said they had a response plan: 44 percent in Calhoun, 42 percent in Clay, 46 percent in Cleburne, 46 percent in Etowah, 42 percent in St. Clair, and 34 percent in Talladega.

# Those who said they know their emergency zones for home, work and school: 54 percent in Calhoun, 61 percent in Clay, 65 percent in Cleburne, 57 percent in Etowah, 58 percent in St. Clair, and 41 percent in Talladega.

# Those who said they had developed a plan because of the county and state information campaign: 60 percent in Calhoun, 69 percent in Clay, 76 percent in Cleburne, 81 percent in Etowah, 75 percent in St. Clair, and 66 percent in Talladega.

# Those familiar with the emergency siren tones: 55 percent in Calhoun, 61 percent in Clay, 54 percent in Cleburne, 39 percent in Etowah, 55 percent in St. Clair, and 41 percent in Talladega.

# Those who said they know how to shelter an interior room of a home or business, in some cases using plastic sheeting and duct tape to create a seal: 31 percent in Cal-houn, 28 percent in Clay, 51 percent in Cleburne, 17 percent in Etowah, 21 percent in St. Clair, and 37 percent in Talladega.

# Those who said they know how to evacuate: 77 percent in Calhoun, 81 percent in Clay, 84 percent in Cleburne, 78 percent in Etowah, 72 percent in St. Clair, and 64 percent in Talladega.

# Those who have attended an EMA presentation or read an EMA article or brochure related to the emergency preparedness campaign: 31 percent in Calhoun, 28 percent in Clay, 51 percent in Cleburne, 17 percent in Etowah, 21 percent in St. Clair, and 37 percent in Talladega.