Help with a survey I am working on
My apologies if this is not allowed, I will remove if against the rules. Just let me know!
Google forms survey no login required
I am working on a non-fiction title around prepping and urban planning. How to survive in population centers. My main focus is on real world topics for emergency planning. No zombie invasions or blockbuster scenarios. I am focusing things like job loss, local short-term and long-term grid issues. I could really use some real feedback on the questions I am asking and the breakdown of the grid impact events.
The survey is completely anonymous other than an optional newsletter sign-up at the end. Any feedback is greatly appreciated before I hit the send button to get it as far and wide as I can.
Here is the breakdown of what I'm asking
- Demographics & Vulnerability (Ranges for Anonymity)
Geographic Region (PNW, West Coast, Southwest, Rockies, Midwest North/South, New England, Southeast, Int'l).
Household Mobility/Care Needs: Streamlined to check boxes for: Infants/under 5, Elderly/mobility assistance, or Critical medical/disability needs (e.g., power-dependent devices, refrigerated meds).
Socio-economic markers (Broad Income & Education brackets) to track how financial barriers impact resilience.
- The Plan & Supplies
Do you have an emergency plan, what does it cover (Go-bag, meeting points, lockdown, evacuation), and is the household actually aware of it?
Are you familiar with your specific city/county Emergency Operations Plans
Do you have emergency food, water, and medicines stocked beyond your current daily needs? (If yes, how long can you sustain: 3 days, 1 week, 2-4 weeks, 1-3 months, 3+ months?)
Conditional Routing: If they answer "No" to plans or supplies, the form routes them to identify the primary barrier (Financial, lack of space, rotation hassle, or regional complacency).
- The Grid Impact Stress Test
I’m asking respondents to rate their household's ability to maintain basic stability on a scale of 1 to 10 across four specific tiers. How do these definitions look to you?
A. Mild Grid Impact Event: Little to no utility impact (micro-outages only). Emergency services operating normally. Grocery stores fully stocked and accepting cards/digital pay.
B. Moderate Grid Impact Event: Regional blackout lasting 24 to 72 hours. Cell networks congested/spotty. Water pressure drops. Stores open on limited backup power with long lines and cash-only transactions. Starting to see long-term shortages on critical items due to panic buying.
C. Severe Grid Impact Event: Complete regional blackout lasting 1 to 3 weeks. Cell towers dead. Municipal water failed or on strict boil notices. All stores and pharmacies completely closed/empty within 48 hours. No shipping/deliveries.
D. Extreme Grid Impact Event (CME, EMP, High-Level Conflict): Nationwide grid failure lasting months to a year+. Black-Sky event with vital infrastructure fried. No municipal utilities or communications. Emergency services non-existent. Survival relies entirely on existing stockpiles, foraging, production, and local bartering.
My questions for the sub:
Are these grid tier descriptions good and do they accurately reflect the operational realities you plan for?
Is the distinction of supplies "beyond daily needs" clear enough to weed out accidental prepping?
If you saw this survey floating around, would you feel comfortable filling it out based on the privacy boundaries I've set?
Thanks for your time and expertise!