Understanding Value Trade-Offs Regarding Fire Hazard Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface

Screener Revised April 8, 2009

OMB Control Number: 0596-0189

Hello, my name is _________, at the University of Georgia. On behalf of the USDA Forest Service we are conducting a voluntary survey about Florida forest fire management. The purpose of this study is to help agencies with fire protection responsibilities to evaluate public understanding of prescribed burning and mechanical fuels reduction projects and programs, and the public’s willingness to pay for implementing such programs. Can you hear me okay? This survey will take a few moments of your time now, and then we will send you a booklet in the mail. After you receive the booklet, we will call back to review the booklet with you and ask a few more questions, which will take about 10 minutes.

Before starting let me inform you that according to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0596-189. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

We want to assure you that the information collected from this survey is kept confidential. Personally identifiable information is not included in any manuscripts, reports, or presentations and there will be no direct link between any personally identifiable information and your responses.

1. Are you familiar with or have heard of the Firewise Florida Program?

___ Yes ___ No

2. Do you own or rent your place of residence?

____ Own ____ Rent

2a. If Rent – Thank them and terminate interview; otherwise go to Q3.

3. Is the house you own a condo, townhouse or a Mobil home?

3a. If yes to any the three choices - Thank them and terminate interview; otherwise go to Q4.

4. Have you read or heard about the use of prescribed burns or prescribed fires to manage wildfires?

___ Yes ___ No

4a. If No – Read them the following definition and skip to Q4:

A prescribed fire or prescribed burn is a fire purposely and carefully set in a designated area by fire management personnel to accomplish one or more specific objectives such as removal of underbrush and dead wood to reduce available fire fuel and increase the ability to control future wildfires.

4b. If Yes - What does a prescribed burn or prescribed fire mean to you?

(Do not read list, check closest definition)

____ A fire set by fire officials to remove fuels in the forest to reduce the risk of wildfire and provide habitat for wild animals.

____ A fire set by fire officials to slow or stop the spread of wildfire by removing fuel in its path.

____ Other

4c. If Yes- From what sources did you hear about prescribed burns or prescribed fire (Check all that apply):

_____ Newspaper; ___ Radio; ____ TV; ____ Neighbors; ____ School;

_____ Other (Please Specify__________________); ___ Don’t know

I would like to ask you whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:

5. All fires, regardless of their origin, should be put out as soon as possible.

____ Agree ____ Disagree ____ Don’t know

6. Prescribed fire is too dangerous to be used.

____ Agree ____ Disagree ____ Don’t know

7. Do you think prescribed burning or prescribed fire effectively reduces the amount of excess fuels in the forest?

____ Yes ____ No ____ Don’t Know

8. Has your house or other property ever been damaged by a wildfire?

____ Yes ____ No

9. Has property in your neighborhood ever been damaged by a wildfire?

____ Yes ____ No ____ Don’t Know

10. Have you ever been asked to evacuate your house because of a wildfire?

____ Yes ____ No

11. Have you ever evacuated your house because of a wildfire?

____ Yes ____ No

Thank you for your time in answering these questions. I would now like to arrange a time for our next telephone interview. What would be a good time for you about a week from now?

To send the booklet to you we need your name and mailing address. May I ask for your name (repeat name), street address, city, and zip code?

Look for the booklet in the mail in the next few days and I am looking forward to talking to you again. As a reminder, our next telephone appointment is for __________.

Have a nice day.

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