Disaster survey

The annual tax-assessment mailing received by Cape Girardeau County residents recently included a survey that could save lives in the event of a natural disaster. The voluntary survey sent to 31,787 households asks residents to list any special needs emergency personnel should know about.

For responders to know about a hearing impairment or other disability, the need for insulin, oxygen tanks or dialysis could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

The answers to the survey will be kept confidential.

Once compiled, the answers to the survey eventually will become part of the database used to operate the 911 system in the county. In the event of a tornado or serious earthquake,

The importance of a quick, well-coordinated response was one of the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. This is one survey that could benefit many residents of Cape Girardeau County.