Researchers are trying to understand the decision-making process of Ventura and Santa Barbara county residents who received evacuation orders during the Thomas Fire.
Stephen Wong, a doctoral candidate in transportation engineering at UC Berkeley, is conducting a research project to help gain insight about evacuations during the wildfires that hit Southern California last December – including the Thomas, Rye, Creek and Skirball Fires.
“This is a topic that has immense public safety implications. It has transportation implications. And, in doing so, the goal of the research is really to protect the safety of citizens, but also to make sure that all citizens are cared for. That no one is left behind in an evacuation,” he says.
Those who received evacuation orders are being asked to fill out a survey about the process. The survey takes about 20 minutes. Use this linkto fill out the survey.
Participants will also have an opportunity to be part of a future focus group.
