Response to severe winter and blizzard conditions in Grundy and Buchanan County, Virginia in 1996 : a focus group analysis.

Bibliography: p. 13-14

This is the first of what is to be several reports of a study of the response, by people living in Grundy and Buchanan County Virginia, to severe winter and blizzard conditions in 1996. The focus group technique was used to interview subjects who were; 1) volunteer and paid emergency workers; 2) persons in positions of authority in the area; 3) members of the national guard; 4) communication workers; and, 5) hospital workers. Among the several themes which emerged from the interviews were pride in the community, a desire for common training of all emergency workers, and self-confidence in their ability to deal with adverse conditions. There were strong opinions about technical matters such as the kinds of equipment that should be used in such situations