One-year Post-Fire Survey of Emergency Communications and Public Response to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire in Sevier County, TN

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

1. As head of household, were you at home or in the area when the Chimney Tops 2 fire occurred in Sevier
County in November, 2016?
Yes
No
Other (please explain)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

Questions 2 through 7 relate to your understanding and actions before the Chimney Tops 2 fire.

2. Before the Chimney Tops 2 fire, did you know that wildfires could be a problem in your community?
Yes
No
Other (please explain)

3. Before the Chimney Tops 2 fire, how would you have described the possibility that a wildfire would
threaten your property, on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies “no possibility at all” and 5 signifies “a very
good possibility”? (Select only one)
"Property" is defined here as the residence / home and surrounding land
A very good
possibility

No possibility at all
Wildfire would threaten
my property

4. Prior to the Chimney Tops 2 fire, had you or others (e.g., family, friends, businesses) taken any measures
to protect your residence from wildfires? (Select all that apply)
No measures were taken

Installed sprinkler system (or other fire protection system) on
or nearby house

Cleared / removed fuel sources from property
Modified residential structure
Moved fuel sources (e.g., woodpiles, gazebos, mulch /
combustible ground cover, etc.) further away from house (but
still on property)

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (please explain)

5. Did you have a household emergency plan for wildfires in place before the Chimney Tops 2 fire?
Yes
No
I don’t know / don’t remember

6. If yes, what was the ultimate goal of this household emergency plan? (Select only one)
The plan was for my family / me to evacuate (leave and travel to a different / safer place) before the fire spread to my house
The plan was for my family / me to stay in place
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (please explain)

7. Before the Chimney Tops 2 fire, how many times in the past 10 years (decade) did you evacuate your
home / neighborhood / workplace (or other location) because of a wildfire? (Select only one)
Here, “evacuate” means to leave and travel to a different / safer place
0 times (I never evacuated before the Chimney Tops 2 fire)

4-5 times

1 time

6+ times

2-3 times

I don’t know / don’t remember

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

Questions 8 and 9 relate to your home or place of residence at the time of the 2016 Chimney Top 2 fire (November 2016).

8. How long had you lived at that residence? (Select only one)
Less than 1 year

5-10 years

1-2 years

10+ years

3-4 years

I don’t know / don’t remember

9. Did you own or rent that residence? (Select only one)
Rent
Own
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

The next set of questions asks about things in the time period between when the Chimney Tops 2 fire was first detected in
the Great Smoke Mountains on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 until it spread into Sevier County on Monday, November 28,
2016.

10. In this time period, did you receive any warnings about a wildfire occurring that could threaten your
town / city or residential area?
Note: A warning includes any information (official or unofficial) from the government, media, or personal
contacts such as friends, relatives or co-workers.
Yes
No

11. If yes, think back to that very first warning your received, how would you characterize this first warning?
(Select only one)
Official (or mandatory) order to evacuate
Recommendation (or voluntary order) to evacuate
Informational only
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

12. What was the content of thefirst warning? (Select all that apply)
Information about the wildfire’s location
Information about wildfire’s severity
Information about the wildfire’s expected time of arrival at your
location
Information about available time for evacuation
Information about what protective actions to take
Information on the status of evacuation routes from the
community
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

13. How was this first warning communicated to you? (Select all that apply)
Telephone (landline or cell phone) with a recorded message
Telephone (landline or cell phone) with a live person
Text message – on a mobile communication device such as a
cell phone
Internet – an email
Internet – social media, such as Twitter or Facebook
Internet – a website (including streaming TV, Radio)
Face-to-face (in-person)
A loudspeaker or public address system
Television
Radio
Tone alert national weather service radio (NOAA Weather
Radio)
Outdoor warning siren
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

14. Still thinking about that first warning, who was that warning from? (Select all that apply)
Police or fire department

Family member or other relative

Sheriff’s office

Neighbor or friend

Emergency management agency

Coworker

Governor’s office

TV, radio, or internet broadcaster

Federal agency (e.g., National Weather Service or U.S. Forest
Service)

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (specify)

15. Where were you when you received this first warning? (Select one only)
At home

Engaged in an indoor activity, outside of home or work (e.g.,
shopping)

At a relative’s or friend’s place
At work

Engaged in an outdoor activity, away from home or work (e.g.,
sports)

In transit – e.g., in a vehicle, public transit, biking, walking, etc.

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (specify)

16. Please provide the ZIP code that best describes where you were when you received yourfirst
warning? (enter 5-digit ZIP code in the box provided)

17. What day did you receive your first warning? Please indicate the date as accurately as possible.

Date: (Month/Day/Year)

MM/DD/YYYY

18. What time of day did you receive your first warning? Please indicate the time as accurately as possible.
Morning (from 12:01 am to 11:59 am)
Afternoon (from 12:00 pm to 5:59 pm)
Evening (from 6 pm to 11:59 pm)

The following two questions ask about what you thought when you received your first warning.

19. After receiving the first warning, how much would you say you believed each of the following things on
a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “did not believe” and 5 represents “fully believed?” (Select a number
for each statement)
1 - Did not believe

2

3

4

5 - Fully believed

The fire would spread to
my neighborhood
My neighborhood would
be damaged / destroyed
by fire
My home would be
damaged / destroyed by
fire

20. After receiving the first warning, how much would you say you agreed with each of the following
statements on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “not likely” and 5 represents “extremely likely?” (Select
a number for each statement)
1 - Not likely

2

3

4

5 - Extremely likely

I might become injured
Other people / pets /
livestock might become
injured
I might die
Other people / pets /
livestock might die

21. What was your immediate reaction to thefirst warning? (Select only one)
No reaction; I continued my activities

I started preparing to act, and then waited for further
information

I waited for more information
I tried to find more information

I took action immediately (e.g., evacuated / left the location,
defended my property, took shelter, etc.)
I don’t know / don’t remember

22. After receiving your first warning, but before you either began your evacuation or decided not to
evacuate, did you receive or seek out any additional warnings about a fire occurring that could threaten
your town/city or residential area?
(Reminder: warnings include any information [official or unofficial] from the government, media, or personal
contacts such as friends, relatives or co-workers)
Yes
No

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

23. How would you characterize these additional warnings? (Select all that apply)
Official (or mandatory) order to evacuate
Recommendation (or voluntary order) to evacuate
Informational only
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

24. What was the content of the additional warnings? (Select all that apply)
Information about the wildfire’s location
Information about wildfire’s severity
Information about the wildfire’s time of arrival at your location
Information about available time for evacuation
Information about what protective actions to take
Information on the status of evacuation routes from the
community
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

25. Who were these additional warnings from? (Select all that apply)
Police or fire department

Family member or other relative

Sheriff’s office

Neighbor or friend

Emergency management agency

Coworker

Governor’s office

TV, radio, or internet broadcaster

Federal agency (e.g., National Weather Service or U.S. Forest
Service)

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (specify)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

26. How did you receive these additional warnings? (Select all that apply)
Telephone (landline or cell phone) with a recorded message
Telephone (landline or cell phone) with a live person
Text message – on a mobile communication device such as a
cell phone
Internet – an email
Internet – social media, such as Twitter or Facebook
Internet – a website (including streaming TV, Radio)
Face-to-face (in-person)
A loudspeaker or public address system
Television
Radio
Tone alert national weather service radio (NOAA Weather
Radio)
Outdoor warning siren
I don’t know / don’t remember
Other (specify)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

27. Before you either began your evacuation or decided not to evacuate, did you receive any
information about the Chimney Tops 2 fire from the fire itself, e.g., seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling the
fire such as flames, smoke, embers, etc.?
Yes
No

28. What did you see, hear, feel or smell from the fire (also known as “fire cues”)? (Select all that apply)
Flames
Embers (i.e., small or larger pieces of burning or glowing
materials flying past your property or landing on your property)
Smoke
Winds
Heat
Other (specify)

29. What day did you receive these cues? Please indicate the date as accurately as possible.

Date

MM/DD/YYYY

30. What time of day did you receive these cues? Please indicate the time of day as accurately as
possible.
Morning (from 12:01 am to 11:59 am)
Afternoon (from 12:00 pm to 5:59 pm)
Evening (from 6 pm to 11:59 pm)

31. After receiving those fire cues, how much would you say you believed each of the following things on a
scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “did not believe” and 5 represents “fully believed?” (Select a number for
each statement)
1 - Did not believe

2

3

4

5 - Fully believed

The fire would spread to
my neighborhood
My neighborhood would
be damaged / destroyed
by fire
My home would be
damaged / destroyed by
fire

32. After receiving those fire cues, how much would you say you agreed with each of the following
statements on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “not likely” and 5 represents “extremely likely?” (Select
a number for each statement)
1 - Not likely

2

3

4

5 - Extremely likely

I might become injured
Other people / pets /
livestock might become
injured
I might die
Other people / pets /
livestock might die

33. What was your immediate reaction to these fire cues? (Select only one)
No reaction; I continued my activities

I started preparing to act, and then waited for further
information

I waited for more information
I tried to find more information

I took action immediately (e.g., evacuated / left the location,
defended my property, took shelter, etc.)
I don’t know / don’t remember

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

34. If no, did you receive any information about the Chimney Tops 2 firefrom the fire itself before you
either began your evacuation or decided not to evacuate?
Information from the fire can include seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling the fire such as flames, smoke,
embers, etc.
Yes
No

35. If yes, what did you see, hear, feel or smell from the fire (also known as “fire cues”)? (Select all that
apply)
Flames
Embers (i.e., small or larger pieces of burning or glowing
materials flying past your property or landing on your property)
Smoke
Winds
Heat
Other (specify)

36. Where were you when you received those fire cues? (Select only one)
At home

Engaged in an indoor activity, outside of home or work (e.g.,
shopping)

At a relative’s or friend’s place
At work

Engaged in an outdoor activity, away from home or work (e.g.,
sports)

In transit – e.g., in a vehicle, public transit, biking, walking, etc.

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (specify)

37. Please provide the ZIP code that best describes where you were when you received those fire cues?
(enter 5-digit ZIP code in the box provided)

38. What day did you perceive those fire cues? Please indicate the date as accurately as possible.

Date

MM/DD/YYYY

39. What time of day did you perceive those fire cues? Please indicate the time as accurately as possible.
Morning (from 12:01 am to 11:59 am)
Afternoon (from 12:00 pm to 5:59 pm)
Evening (from 6 pm to 11:59 pm)

40. After receiving those fire cues, how much would you say you believed each of the following things on a
scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “did not believe” and 5 represents “fully believed” (Select a number for
each statement)
1 - Did not believe

2

3

4

5 - Fully believed

The fire would spread to
my neighborhood
My neighborhood would
be damaged / destroyed
by fire
My home would be
damaged / destroyed by
fire

41. After receiving those fire cues, how much would you say you agreed with each of the following
statements on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “not likely” and 5 represents “extremely likely?” (Select
a number for each statement)
1 - Not likely
I might become injured
Other people / pets /
livestock might become
injured
I might die
Other people / pets /
livestock might die

2

3

4

5 - Extremely likely

42. What was your immediate reaction to thefire cues? (Select only one)
No reaction; I continued my activities

I started preparing to act, and then waited for further
information

I waited for more information
I tried to find more information

I took action immediately (e.g., evacuated/left the location,
defended my property, took shelter, etc.)
I don’t know / don’t remember

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

43. Before you either began your evacuation or decided not to evacuate, how many total warnings did
you receive about the Chimney Tops 2 fire that you would classify as “official or mandatory evacuation
warnings”? (Select only one)
0 (none)

3

1

4+

2

I don’t know / don’t remember

44. Who do you consider the most credible source of information about wildfire events? (Select only one)
Police or fire department

Family member or other relative

Sheriff’s office

Neighbor or friend

Emergency management agency

Coworker

Governor’s office

TV, radio, or internet broadcaster

Federal agency (e.g., National Weather Service or U.S. Forest
Service)

I don’t know / don’t remember

Other (specify)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

Now, we are discussing the decisions you made in response to the Chimney Tops 2 fire.

45. In response to the Chimney Tops 2 fire, what did you decide to do? (Select only one)
I decided to stay in place
I decided to evacuate (leave and travel to a different / safer place)

46. What day did you make this decision? Please indicate the date as accurately as possible.

Date

MM/DD/YYYY

47. What time of day did you make this decision? Please indicate the time of day as accurately as
possible.
Morning (from 12:01 am to 11:59 am)
Afternoon (from 12:00 pm to 5:59 pm)
Evening (from 6 pm to 11:59 pm)

48. At that moment you decided what to do, how much would you say you agreed with each of the
following statements on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 represents “not likely” and 5 represents “extremely
likely?” (Select a number for each statement)
1 - Not likely
I might become injured
Other people / pets /
livestock might become
injured
I might die
Other people / pets /
livestock might die

2

3

4

5 - Extremely likely

49. Which of the following best describes how you made this decision? (Select only one)
I made the decision (by myself)

I decided to follow what others were doing around me

My family made the decision together

I decided to follow instructions by an authority

My friends / neighbors made the decision together

I don’t know / don’t remember

My family / I followed a previously developed plan
Other (specify)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

Now we are discussing your actual response to the Chimney Tops 2 fire.

50. In Question 45, we asked about what you decided to do. Here, we want you to think about which of the
following responses best describes what you eventually DID in response to the Chimney Tops 2 fire.
(Select only one)
I evacuated (left for a safer place)
I stayed in place

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

51. What were the main reasons that you eventually left / evacuated? (Select all that apply)
Seeing, hearing, smelling cues from the fire (flames, embers,
smoke, winds, heat)

My property caught fire
I was being overcome by the effects of heat/smoke

Observing others evacuating (from TV/radio, social media)
Police, fire or other emergency official(s) advised me to leave
Observing others evacuating (in person – seeing them in my
neighborhood)

Police, fire or other emergency official(s) ordered me to leave

Was afraid/felt danger for myself

My family, friends or neighbors, etc. advised me to leave

Was afraid/felt danger for my family/friends

My family, friends or neighbors, etc. ordered me to leave

Was afraid for my pets/livestock (or other farm animals)

I don’t know / don’t remember

Information about the fire (location, intensity, etc.)
Other (specify)

52. Between the time you received your first warning or fire cue and the time you evacuated, did you do any
of the following before leaving?
(Select all that apply)
Reunite with family members

Tell others what I was doing

Reunite with others outside of family (e.g., friends, neighbors,
coworkers)

Tell others about the fire / what was going on / what they
should do

Prepare family members and / or self (getting them dressed,
use the bathroom)

Inquire (ask) about what others were doing (or going to do)
Plan an evacuation route (e.g., travel directions)

Reunite with or attend to pets / livestock (or other farm
animals)
Secure my home (e.g., prepared house by turning off gas,
turning off air conditioning, shut windows)

Identify / secure an evacuation destination
Help others prepare
I did not do anything after deciding to respond

Perform preparation actions (e.g., tidied up garden / outdoors,
put water on the house / vegetation / landscape)
Secure my business
Pack items to take with me / load vehicle
Other (specify)

I don’t know / don’t recall

53. What day did you actually leave (evacuate)? Please indicate the date as accurately as possible.

Date

MM/DD/YYYY

54. What time of day did you actually leave (evacuate)? Please indicate the time as accurately as possible.
Morning (from 12:01 am to 11:59 am)
Afternoon (from 12:00 pm to 5:59 pm)
Evening (from 6 pm to 11:59 pm)

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

55. If you did not evacuate, why didn’t you leave? (Select all that apply)
I was not in an area ordered to evacuate

I stayed behind to protect (or defend) my property

I did not believe that I was in an area at risk of wildfires

I stayed behind to take care of pets / livestock (or other farm
animals)

I did not receive any evacuation messages or warnings
I did not think that there would be a fire

I stayed behind to take care of a person (or persons) unable to
evacuate

I did not know anything about the fire

I did not have the resources, for example, money or a vehicle

I stayed behind to do my job

I was physically unable to evacuate

I observed others staying behind (from TV / radio, social
media)

It was too late to leave and / or it was too dangerous to
evacuate

I observed others staying behind (in person – seeing them in
the neighborhood)

I thought that it was safer to stay in place
I don’t know / don’t remember

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

The last set of questions is about you. Answers to these questions will help us learn how different types of people receive
and respond to wildfires.

56. Do you consider yourself male, female, or other? (Select only one). You may skip this question if you
prefer not to answer.
Male
Female
Other

57. Which one of the following racial/ethnic groups best describes you? If you identify with more than one,
choose the group you identify with the most. (Select one or more). You may skip this question if you prefer
not to answer.
Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian

White

58. How old are you? (Please choose from one of the following age ranges)
18-24 years old

55-64 years old

25-34 years old

65-74 years old

35-44 years old

75 years or older

45-54 years old

Prefer not to answer

59. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Select only one)
Less than high school diploma

Bachelor degree

High school diploma or equivalent

Graduate degree

Some college but no degree

Prefer not to answer

Associate degree

60. Thinking of all the people in your household, what was the total household income, including your own
income, from all sources in 2016? (Select only one)
Less than $15,000

$75,000 to $99,999

$15,000 to $24,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$25,000 to $34,999

$150,000 to $199,999

$35,000 to $49,999

$200,000 or more

$50,000 to $74,999

Prefer not to answer

61. Which of the following categories best describes your employment status in 2016? (Select only one)
Employed [including self-employed], working 1-39 hours per
week

Disabled, not able to work
Stay at home mom/dad

Employed [including self-employed], working 40 or more
hours per week

Prefer not to answer

Not employed
Retired

62. How many people and animals, including yourself, lived in your household (or on your property) on
November 28, 2016, the day the fire impacted your community? (Please provide numbers)
Enter Count
Children: under 13 years
old (0- 12 years old)
Children: 13 years old to
17 years old
Adults (including
children): 18 years old to
64 years old
Adults: 65 years old and
older
Pets
Livestock/other farm
animals

63. Did you or someone in your household, including yourself, have a medical condition at the time of the
Chimney Tops 2 fire?
Note that a medical condition can include a visual or hearing impairment, a mobility impairment, and/or
pregnancy. If you prefer not to answer, you can skip this question.
Yes
No

2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire Public Survey

Thank you for your participation in this survey!
This collection of information contains Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirements
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Notwithstanding any other
provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject
to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid
OMB control number. For this collection, the OMB Control number is:0693-0078 with an
expiration date: July 31, 2019. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to be
20 minutes per survey, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect
of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Attn: Dr. Erica Kuligowski, NIST, 100
Bureau Drive, MS 8662, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8662, telephone 301-975-2309, or via
email:erica.kuligowski@nist.gov.